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Fall 2012: KCET Cinema Series Schedule

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KCET's quarterly screening series is back for Fall in Santa Monica! Hosted by nationally recognized film expert Pete Hammond, the KCET Cinema Series previews eight major new films prior to their local release and a classic Johnny Mercer scored film at the Aero Theater every Tuesday starting August 28th to October 23. A lively Q & A follows each screening with the filmmakers and top movie talent.

Cost Levels:
$171 per person for current KCET Members Only
$190 per person non-members
$20 at the door
Buy Tickets:
Reservation by phone, call 747.201.5800
Buy tickets online.

All screenings start at 7 PM.

August 28
Hello I Must Be Going

Still from Hello I Must Be Going

Opening night film for this year's Sundance Film Festival, a charming indie comedy directed by Todd Louiso with screenplay by Sarah Koskoff. The film's cast includes Melanie Lynskey, Blythe Danner, John Rubenstein, Julie White and Christopher Abbott. An unconventional love story about a divorced 35 year old forced to move back home with her affluent parents. While trying to soul search for her new start in life, she unexpectedly begins a romance with a much younger man. Q&A immediately follows with the film's star Melanie Lynskey.September 4
Arbitrage

Still from Arbitrage

Nicholas Jarecki makes a promising directorial debut with this suspense thriller about love, allegiance and the high stakes of Arbitrage - buying low and selling high in the market. It's a talent that has made the film's central character, billionaire hedge fund magnate Robert Miller (Richard Gere) the epitome of success in American business. But on the night before his sixtieth birthday, Miller finds himself desperately trying to sell his trading empire to a major lending institution before the extent of his fraudulent business practices is discovered. Cast includes: Susan Sarandon, Tim Roth, Brit Marling, and Nate Parker. Q&A Guest: Director Nicholas Jaracki and co-star Nate Parker.September 11
Escape Fire: The Fight to Rescue American Healthcare'"

Still from Escape Fire

The newest investigative documentary out of Sundance from filmmakers Matthew Heineman and Susan Froemke dives deeply into the frayed and hotly contested world of American healthcare. "Escape Fire" not only chronicles the for-profit facets of the industry that place 'quick-fixes' before prevention and proceeds before patients - and the serious repercussions of these priorities - but is also an awe-inspiring journey into the way average Americans and medical professionals alike are working on new and innovative ways to transform healthcare for the better. Q&A with health expert Dr. David Kipper.
September 18
Won't Back Down

Still from Won't Back Down

The film is a mix of hot policy debate bringing to light the controversial California "parent trigger laws" and old-fashioned screen drama directed by Daniel Barnz. Two determined mothers, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Oscar-nominated Viola Davis ("The Help"), look to transform their children's failing inner city school. Facing powerful and entrenched bureaucracy, they risk everything to make a difference in the education of their children.Q&A immediately following with director, Daniel Barnz.Monday, September 24
Butter

Still from Butter

A tale of competition at its most cut-throat in small-town Iowa. This comedy analyzes the raw ambition of Laura Pickler (Jennifer Garner), the wife of Bob Pickler (Ty Burrell), Iowa's long-reigning champion butter carver. Bob decides to retire; Laura intends to hold on to the family's title, when she finds herself pitted against the carving talents of a young girl. Q&A immediately follows with writer Jason Micallef.October 2
The Oranges

Still from The Oranges

This funny film made its world premiere at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival. Directed by Emmy Award nominated director Julian Farino (HBO's Entourage, Rome, and How to Make it in America), it tells the story of two New Jersey families, who are best friends and neighbors, living the perfect suburban life, which is suddenly impacted by the return home of the daughter of one of the couples during Thanksgiving. Newly broken up from her fiancé, she has an affair that has ramifications on all the family members in unexpected ways. Cast includes: Leighton Meester, Hugh Laurie, Catherine Keener, Adam Brody, Alia Shawkat, and Allison Janney. Q&A immediately following with director, Julian FarinoOctober 9
Argo

Still from Argo

Based on true events, this action-thriller chronicles the 1979 life or death covert operations to rescue six American diplomats during the Iran hostage crises. The script is based on the WIRED Magazine article published in 2007 and titled "How the CIA Used Fake Sci-fi Flick to Rescue Americans from Tehran." Screened at Telluride Film Festival, Argo is directed by Ben Affleck and considered his strongest film to date. Cast includes: Alan Arkin, John Goodman, Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston, Scoot McNairy and Kyle Chandler. Q&A immediately following with editor William Goldenberg.October 16
The Sessions

Still from The Sessions

Inspired by the life of poet/journalist Mark O'Brien, "The Sessions" chronicles the journey of a paralyzed 38-year-old writer (John Hawkes) who determines to lose his virginity with some professional help. With the support of an unconventional priest (William H. Macy), he hires a compassionate sex surrogate (Helen Hunt), who finds her life profoundly transformed by their tender sessions. Q&A immediately following with co-stars Moon Bloodgood and Annika Marks.October 23
Days of Wine and Roses

Still from the film.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of this 1962 film directed by Blake Edwards and starring Jack Lemmon and Lee Remick. An Academy Award went to the film's theme song for Best Original Song, composed by Henry Mancini with lyrics by Johnny Mercer. Additional Oscar nominations were received for Best Actor, Jack Lemmon, Best Actress Lee Remick, and for Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design. The New York Times selected it as one of the best 1000 films ever made, and it made the American Film Institute's best 400 films list. Preceded by:
Picture Paris - Oscar Qualifying Short Subject

Still from Picture Paris

The short stars Julia Louis-Dreyfus, directed by Brad Hall. A suburban mom plans a life-changing trip to France only to discover that Paris isn't exactly what she pictured. Q&A immediately following with three time Emmy winner Julia Louis-Dreyfus and director Brad Hall. It precedes the screening of Days of Wine and Roses. Aero Theater
1328 Montana Ave.
Santa Monica, CA.

Buy Tickets:
Reservation by phone, call 747.201.5800
Buy tickets online.

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