Albuquerque’s Guild Cinema, located in Nob Hill within walking distance of the University of New Mexico, is unlike any other place in the city. While the Guild shows some mainstream current films and old favorites, it also consistently screens indie films, local productions, works by UNM alums, and older films that otherwise wouldn’t see a rerelease in Albuquerque.
Here are some highlights from its November schedule.
As a part of the Guild’s regular Arthouse Classics series, where it shows beloved art films from across the globe, it is paying tribute to Gena Rowlands by screening two of the many films she starred in. Rowlands was one of American cinema’s greatest actresses who passed away earlier this year. Both films screened at the Guild were directed by her husband, John Cassavetes.
“A Woman Under the Influence,” a domestic drama from 1974 that’s widely considered the pinnacle of the couple’s cinematic collaboration, showed on Nov. 2 and 3. The Guild’s website describes the film as “perhaps the most important examination of mental health ever captured on screen.”
“Minnie and Moskowitz” is a more lighthearted film from 1971, allowing Rowlands to display her equally strong comedic chops. It will screen on Nov. 16 and 17 at 1 p.m.
On Nov. 2, The Silent Light performed a live heavy metal score accompanying F.W. Murnau’s seminal 1926 silent horror film “Faust,” an adaptation of the German folktale of a man who makes a deal with the devil. According to The Silent Light’s website, they breathe “new life into classic silent films through the power of live heavy metal.”
This harkens back to how silent films used to be shown — with accompaniment from an orchestra — while offering a unique spin on the experience that enhances the eerie atmosphere of Murnau’s classic.
A new restoration of 2006 film “The Fall” by Tarsem Singh — or just Tarsem — can be seen on Nov. 8 and 9 at 10:30 p.m.
An audacious, vibrant fantasy epic that was filmed across 24 countries, “The Fall” was met with mixed reviews upon its original release, with critics accusing Tarsem of self-indulgence and emphasizing style over substance. Now, 18 years later, the director’s cut of “The Fall” is being rereleased across the world, presented by filmmakers David Fincher and Spike Jonze. This may allow Tarsem’s film to move beyond its cult following and find a wider audience.
“Mad About the Boy: The Noël Coward Story” is a 2023 documentary detailing the life and career of the titular artist. One of the 20th century’s most acclaimed playwrights, Coward’s wittily dramatic work was informed by his closeted homosexuality. Featuring archival interviews with acting legends such as Laurence Olivier and Lucille Ball, this film is sure to provide an in-depth look at Coward’s artistic output and personal life.
“Mad About the Boy” can be seen Nov. 26-28 at 8 p.m.
David Lean’s 1945 film “Brief Encounter,” which is adapted from Coward’s play “Still Life,” will be presented alongside the documentary. One of the greatest romances in cinema history, “Brief Encounter” tells the story of a man and a woman, both already married, who meet at a train station and embark on a passionate yet ephemeral love affair.
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The couple’s clandestine relationship can be read as an allegory for Coward’s experiences as a gay man in the early 20th century. Equal parts swoon-inducing love story and tragedy of domestic repression, “Brief Encounter” is the rare film that sticks with you long after the credits roll. It will be screened both before and after “Mad About the Boy” from Nov. 26-28.
From Nov. 29-Dec. 2 at 5 p.m., Sean Baker’s “Anora” will make its Guild premiere. Baker has emerged over the past decade as one of American independent cinema’s most unique voices, turning out dynamic films such as “Tangerine,” “The Florida Project” and “Red Rocket,” which all focus on the stories of sex workers.
In May, Baker’s newest film, “Anora,” won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival — the festival’s top award — and it has been the toast of the festival circuit for the past several months. A screwball, rags-to-riches story of a sex worker who marries a Russian billionaire and has to face the wrath of his family, “Anora” has continued to garner acclaim as it begins its American release, with critics hailing it as Baker’s masterpiece.
The film, particularly Mikey Madison’s titular performance, is on track to become a major contender at the upcoming Academy Awards in March.
Elijah Ritch is a freelance reporter for the Daily Lobo. They can be reached at culture@dailylobo.com or on X @dailylobo
