#FIRSTLOOK: MUBI ANNOUNCE NEW PROGRAMMING ADDITIONS – JANUARY 2024

MUBI have announced their upcoming programming addiitons for January 2024, including their collaboration with Canada’s Top Ten.

Now Streaming
Pieces of April | dir. Peter Hedges, 2003

Quirky and rebellious April Burns (Katie Holmes) lives with her boyfriend in a low-rent New York City apartment miles away from her emotionally distant family. But when she discovers that her mother has a fatal form of breast cancer, she invites the whole clan to her place for a most chaotic Thanksgiving. After screenwriting success with What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, Peter Hedges won the Special Jury Prize at Sundance for his directorial debut. Available to stream as part of MUBI’s FESTIVAL FOCUS: SUNDANCE collection. (Trailer)

Now Streaming
The Blair Witch Project | dirs. Daniel Myrick & Eduardo Sánchez, 1999

This terrifying, super-low-budget horror film shocked audiences and went on to make millions despite its humble origins. Taking the form of a documentary about a local legend, the film cleverly immerses the audience in hand-held video footage that looks like the real thing… and maybe it is. The Blair Witch Project also won the Award of The Youth at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival and is a part of MUBI’s FESTIVAL FOCUS: SUNDANCE collection. (Trailer)

Now Streaming
But I’m A Cheerleader | dir. Jamie Babbit, 1999

Starring Natasha Lyonne, But I’m a Cheerleader premiered at TIFF 1999 and is a delightful, highly-stylized queer comedy that graced the end of a decade in an American cinema otherwise ruled by heteronormative rom-coms. Co-starring Michelle Williams and RuPaul (out of drag), this sweet, satirical yarn is due for rediscovery. (Trailer)

Now Streaming
Shithouse | dir. Cooper Raiff, 2020

Lonely college freshman Alex has closed himself off from his peers, who all appear to have this whole “college thing” figured out. But everything changes one night when Alex takes a leap and attends a party at Shithouse—a legendary party fraternity—where he forges a strong connection with Maggie. Shithouse won the Grand Jury Award at the SXSW Film Festival and is a part of MUBI’s FIRST FILMS FIRST collection. (Trailer)

Now Streaming
Following | dir. Christopher Nolan, 1998

Before Christopher Nolan became a towering talent in the game of big-budget filmmaking with the likes of Inception and Oppenheimer, he made this ingenious small-scale thriller. As complexly structured and cerebrally tangled as his best work, this intimate neo-noir is as beguiling as the classics. Following is Christopher Nolan’s first feature film (part of MUBI’s FIRST FILMS FIRST collection) and won the Tiger Award at the International Film Festival Rotterdam. (Trailer)

Now Streaming
Keane | dir. Lodge Kerrigan, 2004

With a cyclonic performance from Damian Lewis at its center, Lodge Kerrigan’s third feature is a searing psychological drama, stunningly restored in 4K. Through penetrative close-ups, Keane locks its gaze on a lost soul in the big city for a jagged and suspenseful examination of obsession and loss. Keane won the Critics Award and Jury Special Prize at the Deauville Film Festival. (Trailer)

Wednesday, January 10, 2024
Extinction Of The Species | dirs. Matthew Porterfield & Nicolasa Ruiz, 2023

Esther, an 18-year-old from the North of Mexico, wakes up in Mexico City overwhelmed and alone. Wandering the city streets, she attempts to connect with strangers she meets. Arriving at the house of a mysterious woman, Esther finds a kindred spirit and a companion for the end of the world. (Trailer)

Friday, January 12, 2024
Fremont | dir. Babak Jalali, 2023
Exclusive Streaming Premiere

Fremont stars Jeremy Allen White and follows Donya (Anaita Wali Zada) who works for a Chinese fortune cookie factory in San Francisco. Formerly a translator for the U.S. military in Afghanistan, she struggles to put her life back in order. In a moment of sudden revelation, she decides to send out a special message in a cookie. The comedy-drama is nominated for two 2024 Independent Spirit Awards (Best Breakthrough Performance for Anaita Wali Zada), as well as the John Cassavetes Award. (Trailer)

CANADA’S TOP TEN

The 23rd edition of Canada’s Top Ten, an annual celebration of outstanding Canadian filmmaking, marks the beginning of a significant partnership between MUBI and TIFF.

This collaboration is set to showcase the diverse and rich storytelling that Canadian filmmakers offer and is just the first step in an ongoing relationship between MUBI and TIFF, dedicated to expanding the reach and impact of unique cinematic experiences globally.

Audiences can watch this year’s selections at TIFF Lightbox. Find the full list and purchase tickets at tiff.net/canadas-top-ten.

#FIRSTLOOK: MUBI CELEBRATES CANNES WITH UPCOMING EXCLUSIVES

To celebrate the upcoming 2023 edition of the Cannes Film Festival, MUBI, the film distributor, production company and global streaming service, presents a special series throughout May focusing on twelve critically acclaimed films from the past 20 years of the festival.

Included in the focus are two MUBI exclusives: Maksym Nakonechnyi’s harrowing drama Butterfly Vision (2022) and Kira Kovalenko’s poignant and daring Unclenching the Fists (2021) which won the Un Certain Regard Award at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival.

Further films in the focus include Yorgos Lanthimos’ unsettling drama The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017), Karim Aïnouz’s Un Certain Regard winner The Invisible Life of Euridice Gusmão, Jessica Hausner’s sci-fi thriller Little Joe (2019), the Taviani’s brothers Palme d’Or winner Padre Padrone (1977) and Radu Jude’s gripping drama The Potemkinists (2022).

The Invisible Life of Euridice Gusmão (Karim Aïnouz, 2019) – May 16

Rio de Janeiro, 1950. Euridice and Guida are two inseparable sisters. Each has a dream: becoming a renowned pianist, or finding true love. Because of their father they are forced to live without one another. Separated, they take control of their destiny, while never giving up hope of being reunited.

Butterfly Vision (Maksym Nakonechnyi, 2022) – May 17 | MUBI EXCLUSIVE

After spending months as a prisoner in Donbas, Ukrainian aerial reconnaissance expert Lilia returns home to her family. But the trauma of captivity continues to torment her in dreamlike ways. Something growing deep within Lilia will not allow her to forget, yet she will fight to liberate herself.

The Lunchbox (Ritesh Batra, 2013) – May 18

A mistaken delivery in Mumbai’s famously efficient lunchbox delivery system connects a young housewife to a stranger in the dusk of his life. They build a fantasy world together through notes in the lunchbox. Gradually, this fantasy threatens to overwhelm their reality.

The Killing of a Sacred Deer (Yorgos Lanthimos, 2017) – May 19

Steven, an eminent cardiothoracic surgeon, is married to Anna, an ophthalmologist. They live a healthy family life with their two children.
 Their lives take a darker turn when Martin, a fatherless youth who Steven has covertly taken under his wing, insinuates himself further into the family’s life.

The Blackout (Abel Ferrara, 1997) – May 20

Dumped by his girlfriend (Béatrice Dalle) because of his excesses with alcohol and drugs, Matty (Matthew Modine), a Hollywood actor sick and tired of his life, spends a wild night with his friend Mickey (Dennis Hopper), remembering absolutely nothing the next day. Then nightmares start.

Woman at War (Benedikt Erlingsson, 2018) – May 21

Fifty-year-old Halla seemingly leads a quiet existence. However, she is actually a radical eco-activist who has declared a one-woman-war on the local aluminum industry. In the midst of her environmental crusade, Halla receives the surprising news that her application to adopt a child was approved.

The Skin (Liliana Cavani, 1981) – May 22

The wartime experiences of Curzio Malaparte, who served as the American Commanding General’s Italian liaison during the American liberation of Naples.

Hyenas (Djibril Diop Mambéty, 1992) – May 23

Dramaan Drameh is a respected, convivial shopkeeper in the tiny village of Colobane. But a forgotten act of cruelty committed thirty years in his past comes back to haunt him when the young girl he impregnated and abandoned returns seeking revenge.

Padre padrone (Paolo Taviani, Vittorio Taviani, 1977) – May 24

The true story of the life of Gavino Ledda, the son of a Sardinian shepherd, and how he managed to escape his harsh, almost barbaric existence by slowly educating himself, despite violent opposition from his brutal father.

The Potemkinists (Radu Jude, 2022) – May 25 | MUBI EXCLUSIVE

In 1905, the sailors on the battleship Potemkin are given political asylum in Romania – an act of defiance against Russia. In 2021, a sculptor wants to create an artwork inspired by the event.

Unclenching the Fists (Kira Kovalenko, 2021) – May 26 | MUBI EXCLUSIVE

Ada is stuck. Living in a dead-end industrial town in the North Ossetia section of Russia, she is caught in the tight grip of the men in her life. But when her older brother returns home and her domineering father suddenly falls ill, Ada finally sees a possible path to independence.

Little Joe (Jessica Hausner, 2019) – May 27

Single mother Alice is a dedicated plant breeder at a corporation engaged in developing new species. She has engineered a special crimson flower: if kept at the ideal temperature and spoken to regularly, it makes its owner happy. Against company policy, Alice takes one home for her teenage son, Joe.

#FIRSTLOOK: MUBI CELEBRATES CANNES WITH PROGRAMMING ADDITIONS FOR MAY 2023

In anticipation of the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, audiences can take a stroll with MUBI down the Boulevard de la Croisette and enjoy past favourites with the Cannes Takeover collection. Plus, stunning double bills by Ana Vaz and Ken Loach.

MUBI RELEASES

Friday, May 12
The Five Devils | dir. Léa Mysius, 2022

Vicky has a mysterious gift: she can recreate any scent she comes across, even that of her beloved mother Joanne (Adèle Exarchopoulos). When her estranged aunt suddenly returns to town, the invocation of her fragrance plunges the young girl back in time to unravel a past replete with family secrets and queer romance. (Trailer)

Thursday, May 25
The Potemkinists | dir. Radu Jude, 2022

In 1905, the sailors on the battleship Potemkin are given political asylum in Romania – an act of defiance against Russia. In 2021, a sculptor wants to create an artwork inspired by the event. This 18-minute, short film about art, history, memory and cinema won the Directors’ Fornight at Cannes 2022.

MUBI HIGHLIGHTS

Friday, May 5
Apollo 11 | dir. Todd Douglas Miller, 2019

This documentary looks at the Apollo 11 mission to land on the moon led by commander Neil Armstrong and pilot Buzz Aldrin. (Trailer)

Saturday, May 13
Requiem for a Dream | dir. Darren Aronofsky, 2000

Harry (Jered Leto) and his girlfriend Marion (Jennifer Connelly) dream of transcending their life of hustling and owning a store. While his mother is obsessed with TV and diet pills and envisions her chance to shine again on a game show. However, their dreams are shattered when their drug addictions begin spiralling out of control. (Trailer)

Sunday, May 14
Downtown 81 | dir. Edo Bertoglio, 2000

The film is a day in the life of a young artist, Jean Michel Basquiat, who needs to raise money to reclaim the apartment from which he has been evicted. (Trailer)

Sunday, May 28
Midnight Family | dir. Luke Lorentzen, 2019

In Mexico City’s wealthiest neighbourhoods, this documentary follows the Ochoa family, as they run a for-profit ambulance, competing with other unlicensed EMTs for patients in need of urgent care. In this cutthroat industry, they struggle to keep their financial needs from compromising the people in their care. (Trailer)

NEW + CONTINUING MUBI SPECIALS

CANNES TAKEOVER

Take a stroll with MUBI down the Boulevard de la Croisette and enjoy a few favourites from past editions of this annual, never less than glittering affair.

Titles:
May 17 – Butterfly Vision (2022)
May 18 – The Lunchbox (2013)
May 19 – The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017)
May 20 – The Blackout (1997)
May 21 – Woman at War (2018)
May 22 – The Skin (1981)
May 23 – Hyenas (1992)
May 24 – Padre padrone (1977)

ARTIST IN FOCUS: ANA VAZ

This month, MUBI is proud to present a double bill, celebrating the work of experimental artist Ana Vaz. Her films explore intricate and powerful portraits of land, animals and people, both foreground narratives and perspectives that have been absent, or erased, from history – The Age of Stone (2013), a voyage into the far west of Brazil inspired by the epic construction of Brasília, and It is Night in America (2022), a wildlife eco-horror and nocturnal documentary that blurs the perspective of animals and humans.

Titles:
May 8 – The Age of Stone (2013)
May 9 – It Is Night in America (2022)

KEN LOACH: A DOUBLE BILL

A household name with more than five decades in film and television behind him, it would be tempting to think of Ken Loach as something approaching an institution in British cinema. Nothing would horrify the man himself more, given his dedication across those years to railing against all manner of hierarchical and structural injustice, both at home and abroad. Even now, in his mid-80s, Loach’s cinematic activism—much like his productivity—remains undimmed.

Titles:
May 6 – Jimmy’s Hall (2014)
May 7 – Black Jack (1979)

GILDED PASSIONS: FILMS BY MERCHANT IVORY

Known for their meticulous lyricism and literary qualities, Merchant Ivory productions are the crème de la crème of British cinema. Founded in 1961 by producer-directors Ismail Merchant and James Ivory, the film company is a multi-hyphenated affair. Echoing the diverse, transnational backgrounds of their creators, Merchant Ivory are drawn to stories about in-between experiences, and the boundaries of social class and financial wealth.

Titles:
May 2 – Heat and Dust (1983)
May 4 – The Bostonians (1984)
May 11 – Maurice (1987)
May 15 – Howards End (1992)

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