Friday, September 20, 2024 - 6:00 pm
September 20 - Fargo (1996), 98 minutes, directed by Joel Cohen, starring Frances McDormand, William H. Macy, and Steve Buscemi.
It’s no surprise that Fargo was near the top of our members choice list. It became an instant classic on its release in 1996, and was added to the prestigious National Film Registry as soon as it was eligible ten years later. This Cohen Brothers feature is a unique blend of dark comedy, homicide procedural, kidnapping going horrifically wrong, and spasmodic shocking violence, all under an anthropological commitment to the language and culture of the Upper Midwest. “Minnesota Nice” pervades, giving Fargo a “gentle touch on a vicious story,” according to co-star William H. Macy. You betcha.
September 2024 CinemaLit: Members Choice
To launch the 2024/2025 CinemaLit Season, we conducted a members choice survey of select films in the Mechanics’ DVD collection for screening. We’ve tallied the results, and… the members have spoken! (And have exquisite good taste in films.) Below are the top vote getters. They’re a fantastic quartet of classics young and old with a diversity of genres, styles, nationalities, and eras. Join us for The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948), Black Narcissus (1947), Fargo (1996), and Cinema Paradiso (1988).
Matthew Kennedy, CinemaLit’s curator, has written biographies of Marie Dressler, Joan Blondell, and Edmund Goulding. His book Roadshow! The Fall of Film Musicals in the 1960s, was the basis of a film series on Turner Classic Movies. His most recent book, On Elizabeth Taylor: An Opinionated Guide, examines the screen legend's entire career.
“I don't have a favorite film,” Matthew says. "I find that my relationships to films, actors, genres, and directors change as I change over the years. Some don't hold up. Some look more profound, as though I've caught up with their artistry. I feel that way about Garbo, Cary Grant, director John Cassavetes, and others."
“Classic films have historical context, something only time can provide,” Matt observes. “They become these great cultural artifacts, so revealing of tastes, attitudes, and assumptions.”
Mechanics' Institute Members Free
Non-Members $10
Cafe opens at 5:30 pm with wine, beer, sparkling water, juice, and fresh-popped popcorn for sale.
Register with Eventbrite below.
Please note: Photos and/or video may be taken during this event.
CinemaLit Films
