When the University of Iowa introduced its HIV/AIDS Clinic in 1988, the U.S. AIDS epidemic was in full swing, with more than a 100,000 reported cases. The UI offered the first clinic in Iowa to treat not just AIDS, but HIV infection, and saw hundreds of patients within its first two years. Today, the UI […]
FilmScene
Posted inArts & Entertainment
‘Everybody Knows’ masks disconnect between plot and theme with beautiful performances, cinematography
‘Everybody Knows’ is worth watching, especially in the theater, if only to delight in the masterful performances of Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem. The film is shot well, and I remained engaged throughout the movie, although never was completely transported into or wholly absorbed by the story.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
America from the outside: ‘The Mustang’ redefines success as intimacy through trust
The Mustang, from French director Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre, is a film that deals so centrally with a symbol of American freedom, power and independence (Ford Motor Company’s marketing team knew what they were doing), it perhaps could only have been written and directed from an outside perspective.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Sunshine and rainbow dogs: FilmScene hosts a new doc showcasing creative dog grooming
Canine cosmetology isn’t always shallow or abusive. A new documentary combats stereotypes associated with exhibitionist dog owners while focusing on, arguably, their epitome: competitive creative dog groomers. FilmScene will screen ‘Well Groomed’ on Sunday as part of their Vino Vérité series, co-presented by Bread Garden Market and Little Village.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
‘Destroyer’ a slow-burning yet entertaining time at the movies
‘Destroyer centers around detective Erin Bell (Nicole Kidman), who as a young cop went undercover to infiltrate a gang. This leads to something so tragic that it still haunts her many years later. When she finds out that the same gang leader has recently resurfaced, she goes on a personal mission to take him down and finally find peace.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Groundbreaking silent films interpreted anew with music from the Awful Purdies
The Awful Purdies, the all-female Midwest folk scene staple ensemble, will be accompanying silent movies by female film pioneers on Wednesday, March 13 at 6:30 p.m. as part of Film Scene’s Women’s March events. Tickets are $15.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Celebrating Women’s March with ‘Rafiki’ for FilmScene’s Pride Series
The second film in the Vanguard Series, ‘Rafiki,’ directed by Wanuri Kahiu, will play at FilmScene on Monday, March 11 at 6 p.m. as part of their monthly Pride series. ‘Rafiki’ is a Kenyan coming-of-age story that chronicles the budding romance between Kena (Samantha Mugatsia) and Ziki (Sheila Munyiva).
Posted inArts & Entertainment
RaMell Ross and Bing Liu, two guests of FilmScene’s Vino Vérité series, will compete for an Oscar Sunday
Most of the 2019 Oscar-nominated films have screened at FilmScene in the past year, including four of the five nominees for Best Documentary Feature. The filmmakers behind two of these acclaimed and ambitious docs joined FilmScene audiences months before the Academy Awards lauded their achievements. Bing Liu, director of Minding the Gap, and RaMell Ross, […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
2019 Oscar Shorts — Live Action: Ranked and reviewed
Oscar season is upon us, and in previous years, I haven’t been really tuned in to movies that are nominated. But this year I’ve made a conscious effort to see as much as possible, including the live action short films. To my surprise, a majority of the shorts were highly suspenseful; some have become favorites of the films I’ve seen in quite some time.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
What the Living Do: Mike Gibisser’s ‘World of Facts’
Filmmaker Mike Gibisser’s ‘World of Facts’ (2018), filmed in Iowa City, is not a meditation on grief so much as a metabolizing of it. “I like that word,” Gibisser says. “Maybe because it suggests how the waiting becomes part of you, part of your routine.”
Posted inCommunity/News
Disease, Death and Darwin: Dr. Sharon DeWitte on her upcoming talks
Rarely would the average person, when stopped on the street and asked about their ideal Friday afternoon, think to mention attending a talk about analyzing the skeletal remains of medieval Black Plague victims. However, at 3 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 22, the people of Iowa City will have the chance to do just that.
Posted inCommunity/News
Science meets community at Iowa City Darwin Day
The science minded Iowa City-zen will have an opportunity to explore the contributions of science and evolution to society Friday and Saturday, Feb. 22 and 23, with the induction of the 2019 Iowa City Darwin Day (ICDD) festivities. Darwin Day, a local two-day celebration of science and community, takes place each year on or around Charles Darwin’s birthday (Feb. 12, 1809).
