“Cindy Sherman creates photos from movies that never were, but Rena creates the movies.” – Philippe Mora, director of COMMUNION and THE BEAST WITHIN
Avid movie enjoyers may recognize actress Rena Riffel for her role as Tiffany in the Golden Raspberry winning film STRIPTEASE. More eagle-eyed viewers may recognize her silhouette from the cover of CONTRABAND, the debut album of rock supergroup Velvet Revolver (weird flex, but good job anyway). However – we’re willing to bet money you’ve seen Rena in David Lynch’s frighteningly surreal drama MULHOLLAND DRIVE or Paul Verhoeven’s trashy masterpiece SHOWGIRLS. But did you know Rena is so much more than her good looks, charisma, and talent? Rena Riffel is, by all definitions… a true artist.
Initially drawn to visual art and performance at a young age, Rena found herself mastering modeling, acting, dancing, and music in the world of Hollywood – becoming a highly sought after multi-threat. After witnessing the ingenuity and budgetary freedom of Paul Morrissey’s TRASH, Rena knew what challenge she wanted to conquer next: filmmaking.
We are absolutely overjoyed to be showcasing two of Rena’s most cerebral films this July: a dizzying recut of her magnum opus and Spectacle classic SHOWGIRLS 2: PENNY’S FROM HEAVEN, and the darkly funny meta-satire on art and artist alike, ASTRID’S SELF PORTRAIT. Be sure you don’t miss our eye-opening Q&As with the artist on JULY 13 and 21!
SHOWGIRLS 2: PENNY’S FROM HEAVEN (THE CUT)
Dir. Rena Riffel. 2011.
United States. 100 min.
In English.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 3 – 7:30 PM
SATURDAY, JULY 13 – MIDNIGHT
TUESDAY, JULY 16 – 7:30 PM
SUNDAY, JULY 21 – 7:30 PM with filmmaker Q&A (This event is $10.)
Reprising her role from the Paul Verhoeven 1995 trashsterpiece, Rena Riffel stars as Penny in a “satirical parody project” intent on both pleasing and confusing fans of Rena’s work. A wholly unholy fusion of SHOWGIRLS’ high camp and MULHOLLAND DRIVE’S nightmarish heartache.
After originally debuting at Spectacle in 2013, we are happy to reintroduce SHOWGIRLS 2 to a completely new generation of filmgoers in a completely new way in a completely new cut, with completely new footage never seen before! For all Rena Riffel completionists!
ASTRID’S SELF PORTRAIT
Dir. Rena Riffel. 2016.
United States. 81 min.
In English.
FRIDAY, JULY 5 – MIDNIGHT
SUNDAY, JULY 14 – 7:30 PM with filmmaker Q&A (This event is $10.)
SATURDAY, JULY 20 – 7:30 PM
TUESDAY, JULY 23 – 10 PM
Notorious film critic and black widow Astrid von Star no longer finds joy in critique. She wants to create. ASTRID’S SELF PORTRAIT is a peek behind the curtain, following the process of forging her ultimate self-portrait in digital, aided by her hapless and only surviving husband.
ASTRID’S SELF PORTRAIT is a heart stopping, melodramatic, totally meta experimental feature equally inspired by French New Wave as it is daytime soap operas. If SHOWGIRLS 2 is Rena’s MULHOLLAND DRIVE, this is her INLAND EMPIRE.