Show Archives

Directed by: Mike Bribiglia
90Min, 35MM

“I’m going to tell you a story, and it’s true….I always have to tell people that.” So asserts comedian-turned-playwright-turned-filmmaker Mike Birbiglia directly to the viewer at the outset of his autobiographically inspired, fictional feature debut. Birbiglia wears his incisive wit on his sleeve while portraying a cinematic surrogate. We are thrust into the tale of a burgeoning stand-up comedian struggling with the stress of a stalled career, a stale relationship threatening to race out of his control, and the wild spurts of severe sleepwalking he is desperate to ignore. Based on the successful one-man show, Sleepwalk With Me engages in the kind of passionate and personal storytelling that transfigures intimate anguish into comic art.

“One of the best films ever made on the subject of stand-up comedy.” – Jacob S. Hall, Movies.com

Trailer: http://www.ifcfilms.com/videos/sleepwalk-with-me-trailer

Directed by Robert Lieberman
83 Minutes, BluRay
English and Burmese w/English Subtitles

Shot clandestinely over a 2-year period by best-selling novelist and filmmaker, Robert H. Lieberman, this film provides a rare look at the second-most isolated country on the planet. It lifts the curtain to expose the everyday life in a country that has been held in the iron grip of a brutal military regime for 48 years.

This unique feature length documentary, culled from over 120 hours of striking images, is an impressionistic journey. Interviews and interactions with more than 100 people throughout Burma, including an interview with the recently released Aung San Suu Kyi, are interwoven with spectacular footage of this little seen nation and its people.

“THEY CALL IT MYANMAR is a thing of beauty… a documentary with all the virtues of a great feature film; its cinematography, music and contemplative words make it… a hymn to a land that has grown out of the oldest cultures in Asia.” -Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun Times

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPDbdEN-XcM

Directed by Benh Zeitlin
Starring Quvenzhane Wallis, Dwight Henry and Levy Easterly
93 Minutes, 35MM

Benh Zeitlin’s BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD whisks you to a surreal realm, where little girls and mythical animals coexist in a bayou called The Bathtub, all intertwined in the cosmic mesh of the universe. Hushpuppy (stunning newcomer Quvenzhane Wallis) relentlessly explores her world for answers, to satisfy her curiosity, and to make her budding mark on a world she’s only beginning to comprehend. Now we’ve launched WELCOME TO THE BATHTUB, a new site that lets the viewer experience BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD through Hushpuppy’s eyes.

“A blast of sheer, improbable joy.” -A.O. Scott, The New York Times

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZF7i2n5NXLo

Directed by Jason Moore
Starring Anna Kendrick, Brittany Snow and Rebel Wilson
112 Minutes, DCP

Beca (Anna Kendrick) is that girl who’d rather listen to what’s coming out of her headphones than what’s coming out of you. Arriving at her new college, she finds herself not right for any clique but somehow is muscled into one that she never would have picked on her own: alongside mean girls, sweet girls and weird girls whose only thing in common is how good they sound when they sing together, in the new out-loud comedy Pitch Perfect.

Free for all UI students with a ticket!

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F03N-ApQdmw

Directed by Andrey Zvyagintsev
109 Minutes, 35MM
Russian w/English Subtitles

Elena is a gripping, modern twist on the classic noir thriller. Sixty-ish spouses Vladimir and Elena uneasily share his palatial Moscow apartment—he’s a still-virile, wealthy businessman; she’s his dowdy former nurse who has clearly “married up.” Estranged from his own wild-child daughter, Vladimir openly despises his wife’s freeloading son and family. But when a sudden illness and an unexpected reunion threaten the dutiful housewife’s potential inheritance, she must hatch a desperate plan…. Masterfully crafted by award-winning Russian filmmaker Andrey Zvyagintsev (Golden Globe nominee The Return) and featuring evocative, Hitchcockian music by Philip Glass, Elena is a subtly stylish exploration of crime, punishment and human nature.

“CRITICS’ PICK. Brilliant and gripping.” -Stephen Holden, THE NEW YORK TIMES

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kUg8uu1N_k

Directed by Alison Klayman;
Starring Ai Weiwei
91 Minutes, 35MM
English and Mandarin w/English Subtitles

AI WEIWEI: NEVER SORRY is the first feature-length film about the internationally renowned Chinese artist and activist, Ai Weiwei. In recent years, Ai has garnered international attention as much for his ambitious artwork as his political provocations. AI WEIWEI: NEVER SORRY examines this complex intersection of artistic practice and social activism as seen through the life and art of China’s preeminent contemporary artist.

“GALVANIZING… An intimate portrait of the artist.” -Manohla Dargis, The New York Times

Trailer: http://www.ifcfilms.com/videos/ai-wei-wei-never-sorry-trailer

Directed by Spike Lee
121 Minutes, DCP

Red Hook Summer is the latest in Spike Lee’s Chronicles of Brooklyn (which also include SHE’S GOTTA HAVE IT, DO THE RIGHT THING, CROOKLYN, CLOCKERS, and HE GOT GAME), RED HOOK SUMMER tells the story of Flik Royale, a sullen young boy from middle-class Atlanta who has come to spend the summer with his deeply religious grandfather, Bishop Enoch Rouse, in the housing projects of Red Hook. Having never met before, things quickly get off on the wrong foot as Bishop Enoch relentlessly attempts to convert Flik into a follower of Jesus Christ. Between his grandfather’s constant preaching and the culture shock of inner-city life, Flik’s summer appears to be a total disaster–until he meets Chazz Morningstar, a pretty girl his age, who shows Flik the brighter side of Brooklyn. Through her love and the love of his grandfather, Flik begins to realize that the world is a lot bigger, and perhaps a lot better, than he’d ever imagined.

“A return to Lee’s incendiary form that made its name in the late 80′s and early 90′s.” – IndieWire

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDm0T7PNEtI&feature=player_embedded

Directed by Maiwenn
127 Minutes, 35MM
French w/English subtitles

POLISSE follows the daily lives of a tight-knit team of men and women working in the Child Protection Unit of the Parisian police. Basing her richly textured script on real child investigation cases, writer- directoractor Maïwenn has gathered an accomplished ensemble cast of French actors who convey the emotional strain of the unit’s work with gritty realism. They not only deal with the stress of their jobs but the inevitable fall-out in their personal lives – breakdowns, divorce and adulterous relations within the force. In between, there are frequent flashes of humor as the team attempts to diffuse daily realities. As the cases,confessions and interrogations pile up, the squad members have only each other as support as they face an uphill battle against both criminals and bureaucracy.

“ASTONISHING. What makes it such a singular experience is the convergence of fine acting, moral urgency and a willingness to linger on moments of great intensity.” -Joe Morgenstern, The Wall Street Journal

Trailer: http://www.ifcfilms.com/uncategorized/polisse-trailer

Directed by Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne
87 Minutes, 35MM
French w/English subtitles

The deeply moving new film by the Dardenne brothers (L’enfant, Rosetta) delves into the emotional life of troubled 11-year-old Cyril (newcomer Thomas Doret). When his father (Jérémie Renier) abandons him, Cyril obsessively searches for his bicycle – placing his last bit of hope in this symbol of their relationship. Almost by accident, he becomes the ward of a kind hairdresser (Cécile de France – Clint Eastwood’s HEREAFTER), who seems surprised to find herself so determined to help him. With his wild, unpredictable behavior and his disastrous search for father figures, Cyril risks losing her – though she refuses to give up without a fight. Full of heartbreaking betrayals and unexpected grace, THE KID WITH A BIKE is a film about a child, abandoned to the elements, learning to become good.

“A quietly rapturous film about love and redemption.” -Manohla Dargis, The New York Times

Trailer: http://www.ifcfilms.com/videos/the-kid-with-a-bike-2

Directed by Matthew Akers and Jeff Dupre
Starring Marina Abramovic
106 Minutes, BluRay

Seductive, fearless, and outrageous, Marina Abramović has been redefining what art is for nearly forty years. Using her own body as a vehicle, pushing herself beyond her physical and mental limits––and at times risking her life in the process––she creates performances that challenge, shock, and move us. Through her and with her, boundaries are crossed, consciousness expanded, and art as we know it is reborn. She is, quite simply, one of the most compelling artists of our time.

“Marina Abramović: The Artist is Present is one of the film events of the year” – Ian Grey, Indiewire

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jY3VwmiT3j4

Directed by Lauren Greenfield
100 Minutes, 35MM

With the epic dimensions of a Shakespearean tragedy, The Queen of Versailles follows billionaires Jackie and David’s rags-to-riches story to uncover the innate virtues and flaws of the American dream. We open on the triumphant construction of the biggest house in America, a sprawling, 90,000-square-foot mansion inspired by Versailles. Since a booming time-share business built on the real-estate bubble is financing it, the economic crisis brings progress to a halt and seals the fate of its owners. We witness the impact of this turn of fortune over the next two years in a riveting film fraught with delusion, denial, and self-effacing humor.

“FASCINATING. Director Greenfield has crafted a rather brilliant metaphor for the runaway American dream.” -Claudia Puig, USA Today

Trailer: http://www.magpictures.com/thequeenofversailles/

Directed by Lynn Shelton
Starring Mark Duplass, Emily Blunt and Rosemarie DeWitt
90 Minutes, 35MM

Emily Blunt, Rosemarie Dewitt and Mark Duplass star in YOUR SISTER’S SISTER, a new comedy about romance, grief and sibling rivalry. A year after his brother Tom’s death, Jack (Duplass) is still struggling emotionally. When he makes a scene at a memorial party, Tom’s best friend Iris (Blunt) offers up her family cabin on an island in the Pacific Northwest so Jack can seek catharsis in solitude. Once there, however, he runs into Iris’ sister Hannah (Dewitt) who is reeling from the abrupt end of a seven-year relationship and finds solace in Tom’s unexpected presence.

“A WINNER…This poignant, witty, brilliantly written and acted film is even better than Ms. Shelton’s last, HUMPDAY.” -Stephen Holden, The New York Times

Trailer: http://www.ifcfilms.com/videos/your-sisters-sister-trailer

Directed by Kirby Dick
97 Minutes, BluRay

From Oscar®- and Emmy®-nominated filmmaker Kirby Dick (This Film Is Not Yet Rated; Twist of Faith) comes The Invisible War, a groundbreaking investigative documentary about one of America’s most shameful and best kept secrets: the epidemic of rape within the U.S. military. The film paints a startling picture of the extent of the problem-today, a female soldier in combat zones is more likely to be raped by a fellow soldier than killed by enemy fire. The Department of Defense estimates there were a staggering 19,000 violent sex crimes in the military in 2010. The Invisible War exposes the epidemic, breaking open one of the most under-reported stories of our generation, to the nation and the world.

“Shocking and important.” – Entertainment Weekly

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECOqpv45tIo&feature=player_embedded

Directed by Panos Cosmatos
110 Minutes, 35MM

Set in the strange and oppressive emotional landscape of the year 1983, Beyond The Black Rainbow is a Reagan-era fever dream inspired by hazy childhood memories of midnight movies and Saturday morning cartoons.

From the producer of Machotaildrop, Rainbow is the outlandish feature film debut of writer and director Panos Cosmatos. Featuring a hypnotic analog synthesizer score by Jeremy Schmidt of Sinoia Caves and Black Mountain.

“VISUALLY INVENTIVE – AN IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE” -Hollywood Reporter

Trailer: http://www.magnetreleasing.com/beyondtheblackrainbow/

For the last two years, the Bijou has been free for UI students. This has led to a budget shortfall for the last two years. In order to continue operating, we at the Bijou must raise the price of a ticket for UI students to $3. While we deeply regret this development, we feel that it is better to charge a token admission fee than to decrease the services we are able to offer students.

We hope you continue to attend and enjoy shows at the Bijou, which is still, dollar for dollar, one of the cheapest entertainment options on campus and certainly, at $1 for concessions, the cheapest place to eat in Iowa City.

Modern twist on drive-ins, Starlite Cinema to show movies at Riverside Festival Stage!

The Bijou is proud to be a sponsor of FilmScene Starlite Cinema presented by M.C. Ginsberg starting Friday! More details at www.icfilmscene.org/events/starlite-cinema/

SHOWN AT THE ENGLERT!
Tickets prices for everyone are $8 in advance and $10 at the door.
Tickets are now on sale at the Englert box office and online! http://englert.org/event_details.php?id=766
Sponsored by Bijou Cinema, FilmScene, the Englert, and Mission Creek Festival

Directed by Will Lovelace and Dylan Southern
Starring LCD Soundsystem
105 min, BluRay

One year ago, LCD Soundsystem played its final show at Madison Square Garden. LCD frontman James Murphy had made the conscious decision to disband one of the most celebrated and influential bands of its generation at the peak of its popularity, ensuring that the band would go out on top with the biggest and most ambitious concert of its career. The instantly sold out, near four-hour extravaganza did just that, moving the thousands in attendance to tears of joy and grief, with New York Magazine calling the event “a marvel of pure craft” and TIME magazine lamenting “we may never dance again.” SHUT UP AND PLAY THE HITS is simultaneously a document of a once-in-a-lifetime performance and an intimate portrait of Murphy as he navigates both the personal and professional ramifications of his decision.

This event is at the Englert! More info at: http://englert.org/event_details.php?id=766

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FAUyrFWDvw

Directed by Taika Waititi
90 min, 35mm

The year is 1984, and on the rural East Coast of New Zealand “Thriller” is changing kids’ lives. Inspired by the Oscar nominated TWO CARS, ONE NIGHT, BOY is the hilarious and heartfelt coming-of-age tale about heroes, magic and Michael Jackson.

Trailer: http://boythefilm.com/videos

Directed by Nanni Moretti
104 min, 35mm

Nanni Moretti (THE SON’S ROOM, CARO DIARIO) joins forces with the great French actor Michel Piccoli (CONTEMPT, I’M GOING HOME) to tell the story of Melville, a cardinal who suddenly finds himself elected as the next Pope. Never the front runner and completely caught off guard, he panics as he’s presented to the faithful in St. Peter’s Square. To prevent a world wide crisis, the Vatican’s spokesman calls in an unlikely psychiatrist who is neither religious or all that committed, played by Moretti, to find out what is wrong with the new Pope. As the world nervously waits outside, inside the therapist tries to find a solution. But Cardinal Melville is adamant: he does not want the job, or at least needs time to think it over. What follows is a marvelous insight into the concept of a human being existing behind the title of God’s representative on Earth.

Trailer: http://www.ifcfilms.com/uncategorized/we-have-a-pope

Directed by Morten Tyldum
Staring Aksel Hennie, Synnøve Macody Lund, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau
100 min, 35mm

HEADHUNTERS stars the talented Aksel Hennie (Max Manus) as Roger, a charming scoundrel and Norway’s most accomplished headhunter. Roger is living a life of luxury well beyond his means, and stealing art to subsidize his expensive lifestyle. When his beautiful gallery owner wife introduces him to a former mercenary in the possession of an extremely valuable painting, he decides to risk it all to get his hands on it, and in doing so discovers something which makes him a hunted man.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4bA3gbZxDM