October 13 - 19
The Uncanny films of Philippe Mora
How does one describe the filmography of Philippe Mora? Over his 5-decade career, the writer/director made everything from a harrowing WWII documentary, to Troma produced madness, to a Cannes screened bushranger drama. A true auteur, Philippe Mora’s films only become more fascinating, baffling, and wonderful the more of them you see.
Mind of Mora will be the first U.S. retrospective on the director’s idiosyncratic career. Philippe will be present all week, with a Q&A after every film.
Howling III: The Marsupials was our introduction to Philippe Mora. We love this movie, and we aren’t alone (the night we screened Howling III is legend for VHS night regulars). It’s a horror satire that playfully dances around the edge of your comfort zone, subverting expectations and moving with its own wild logic. To say more would be a shame. Clear the date, you’ll thank us.
Friday (10/13)
7:00 - VHS Trailers
7:30 - Howling 3: The Marsupials
Pterodactyl Woman from Beverly Hills is a woefully overlooked film that deserves a place in underground B-movie cannon. As the title suggests, it’s about a woman cursed to turn into a pterodactyl. That high-concept pitch thrives thanks to Mora’s unpredictable film craft and a gloriously undignified performance from Beverly D’Angelo (National Lampoon’s Vacation).
Saturday (10/14) - 7:00
Art Decowitz is out to solve a murder, or at least, that’s how things start. Soon he’s framed for a crime, and hot on the trail of psychotic sex fiend that wants to end the world. Art Deco Detective is Mora at his most unconstrained, a film equally designed to amuse, repel and baffle the viewer. It’s a viewing experience that challenges your expectations of film and defies aesthetic classification.
Sunday (10/15) - 7:00
The Beast Within is an American gothic fable that deals bluntly with the consequences of rape and corruption. As often happens with difficult films, studio tinkering led to an occasionally unclear final film, but Mora’s creative vision still breaks through, and we’ll definitely be exploring this rift during the Q&A.
Monday (10/16) - 7:00
Mad Dog Morgan is one of several breakout Australian films that screened to acclaim at Cannes in 1976. Originally known as Mad Dog, the film follows Daniel Morgan (Dennis Hopper) as his humanity is worn away by the forces of imperialism. It’s a harrowing film, anchored by stellar performances by Hopper and David Gulpilil.
Tuesday (10/17) - 7:00
Communion occupies an odd place in the history of science fiction. Screenwriter Whitley Streiber adapted the film from his own novel, an autobiographical account of alien abduction. Whether or not you believe Streiber, his conviction comes through in the script. This is the story of abduction, written by a man who sincerely believe he experienced it, and dreamily realized by Philippe Mora.
Wednesday (10/18) - 7:00
If the human features of Hitler are lacking in the image of him that is passed on to posterity, if he is dehumanized and shown only as a devil, any future Hitler may not be recognized, simply because he is a human being.
So reads the opening screen of Swastika, a documentary composed of Nazi archival footage, including films shot by those closest to Hitler himself. It’s a singular experience, both deeply unsettling and timelessly vital.
Thursday (10/19) - 7:00