The Hope College Knickerbocker Theatre in downtown Holland will continue its tradition of showing contemporary and independent films through its 2012 fall film series beginning Monday, Sept. 10.
The series will feature two films in September, one in October and one in November. The series will open with “Moonrise Kingdom” and continue with “Pina,” “The Last Ride” and “Where Do We Go Now?” All films will be shown at 7:30 p.m.
“Moonrise Kingdom” will run Monday-Saturday, Sept. 10-15. It is the latest movie directed by two-time Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Wes Anderson (“The Royal Tenenbaums,” “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” “Rushmore”). Set on an island off the coast of New England in the summer of 1965, “Moonrise Kingdom” tells the story of two 12-year-olds (Sam and Suzy, played by Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward) who fall in love and are moved to run away into the wilderness together, and the mayhem that follows in the town that tries to find them. “Rolling Stone” has said, “Hilarious & heartfelt! A dream cast.” Bruce Willis (“Die Hard,” “The Whole Nine Yards” and “The Sixth Sense”) plays the local sheriff, Captain Sharp. Edward Norton (“Fight Club,” “The Illusionist” and “The Incredible Hulk”) is a Khaki Scout troop leader, Scout Master Ward. Bill Murray (“Groundhog Day” and “Lost in Translation”) and Frances McDormand (“Almost Famous” and “Burn After Reading”) portray the young girl’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bishop. The cast also includes Tilda Swinton, Jason Schwartzman and Bob Balaban.
“Pina” will run Monday-Saturday, Sept. 17-22. The documentary explores the life and work of choreographer Pina Bausch while showing her company perform some of her most notable creations. The new film concept includes, in addition to excerpts from the four productions of “Café Müller,” “Le Sacre du printemps,” “Vollmond” and “Kontakthof,” carefully selected archive footage of Pina Bausch at work, with many short solo performances by the dancers of the ensemble. WimWenders used Pina Bausch’s own method of “questioning” with which the choreographer developed her new productions. She posed questions and her dancers answered not in words, but with improvised dance and body language.
“The Last Ride” will run Monday-Saturday, Oct. 15-20. Inspired by the mysterious final days of country music legend Hank Williams’ life, “The Last Ride” is the story of his final drive from Montgomery, Ala., on his way to West Virginia. Hank Williams hires a local kid, who did not even own a radio, to drive him. Sparse and contemplative as a cold December drive through coal mining country, the story takes the audience inside the heart of a man who knows he is dying, and a dreamless boy whose fate seems already determined.
“Where Do We Go Now?” will run Monday-Saturday, Nov. 5-10. The film received the Un Certain Regard at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival. In the comedy/drama, a group of Lebanese women try to ease religious tensions between Christians and Muslims in their village. Women heartsick over sons, husbands and fathers lost to previous flare-ups unite to distract their men with clever ruses. As civil strife engulfs the country, the women in the village try, by various means and to varying success, to keep their men in the dark.
Tickets for all of the films are $6 for regular admission and $5 for senior citizens, Hope College faculty, and children. Updated information may be obtained by visiting hope.edu/arts/knick.
The Knickerbocker Theatre is located at 86 E. Eighth St.