November 2023

Dream Scenario

Directed by: Kristoffer Borgli

Starring: Nicolas Cage, Dylan Gelula, Dylan Baker, Lily Gao, Kate Berlant, Tim Meadows, Julianne Nicholson, Michael Cera

Synopsis: Hapless family man Paul Matthews (Nicolas Cage) finds his life turned upside down when millions of strangers suddenly start seeing him in their dreams. But when his nighttime appearances take a nightmarish turn, Paul is forced to navigate his newfound stardom, in this wickedly entertaining comedy from writer-director Kristoffer Borgli (Sick of Myself) and producer Ari Aster.

November 2023

The Persian Version

Directed by: Maryam Keshavarz

Cast: Bijan Daneshmand, Shervin Alenabi, Layla Mohammadi, Niousha Noor, Kamand Shafieisabet, Bella Warda

Synopsis: Coming from two countries at odds with each other, Iranian-American Leila (Layla Mohammadi) strives to find balance and embrace her opposing cultures, while boldly challenging the labels society is so quick to project upon her. When her family reunites in New York City for her father’s heart transplant, Leila navigates her relationships from arms length in an effort to keep her “real” life separate from her family life. However, when her secret is unceremoniously revealed, so are the distinct parallels between her life and that of her mother Shireen (Niousha Noor). Punctuated by a bright color palette, snappy comedic relief, and vibrant dance numbers, The Persian Version delivers an honest portrayal of a woman who remains unapologetically herself, blended seamlessly into a heartfelt story about family, belonging, and the undeniable influence of pop music. Winning both the Audience Award and the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award in Dramatic Competition at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, writer-director-producer Maryam Keshavarz delivers a universal and timely story of the Iranian and the Iranian-American experience.

October 2023

The Burial

Directed by: Maggie Betts

Cast: Tommy Lee Jones, Jamie Foxx, Jurnee Smollett, Mamoudou Athie, Pamela Reed, with Bill Camp, and Alan Ruck

Synopsis: Inspired by true events, when a handshake deal goes sour, funeral homeowner Jeremiah O’Keefe (Academy Award winner Tommy Lee Jones) enlists charismatic, smooth-talking attorney Willie E. Gary (Academy Award winner Jamie Foxx) to save his family business. Tempers flare and laughter ensue as the unlikely pair bond while exposing corporate corruption and racial injustice in this inspirational, triumphant story.

October 2023

The Lost Weekend

Directed by: Eve Brandstein, Richard Kaufman, Stuart Samuels

Synopsis: "The Lost Weekend: A Love Story” explores the 18-month relationship (1973-1975) that John Lennon spent with May Pang, his Chinese American assistant turned lover (on Yoko Ono’s insistence). With May's help, Lennon reunited with his son Julian and had his most artistically and commercially productive period post-Beatles - with the albums "Mind Games", "Walls and Bridges" which included his only #1 Hit Single "Whatever Gets You Through the Night", "Rock and Roll" and collaborated with Elton John, David Bowie, Harry Nilsson, Mick Jagger, and Ringo to name a few. Pang chronicles it all revisiting her younger self, a naïve 22-year old experiencing her first, unforgettable love.

September 2023

The Storms of Jeremy Thomas

Directed by: Mark Cousins

Featuring: Jeremy Thomas, Tilda Swinton, Debra Winger, Rebecca O'Brien

Synopsis: Jeremy Thomas, the Oscar-winning producer of films like EO and THE LAST EMPEROR, is joined by documentarian Mark Cousins on his annual pilgrimage to the Cannes Film Festival, to give an intimate glimpse into the life of the legendary icon behind some of the most acclaimed and controversial films of all time. Featuring insights into a life lived just off-frame, the film bridges the epic and the intimate, just as Thomas did so consistently, making the dreams of cinema’s most daring visionaries come true.

Cousins, also the director of THE STORY OF FILM: AN ODYSSEY, THE EYES OF ORSON WELLES, follows Thomas' illustrious career with a dazzling range of film clips and interviews, rich in insights about creativity and survival. THE STORMS OF JEREMY THOMAS is a road movie, a portrait of France, a master class, and — in the era of streaming and corporatization — a passionate call to arms for movies that get to the heart of life.

September 2023

Flora and Son

Directed by: John Carney (Once, Sing Street, Begin Again)

Cast: Eve Hewson, Oren Kinlan, Joseph Gordon-Levitt,

Synopsis: Single mom Flora (Eve Hewson) is at a loss about what to do with her rebellious teenage son, Max (Orén Kinlan). Encouraged by the police to find Max a hobby, Flora tries to occupy him with a beat-up acoustic guitar. With the help of a washed-up LA musician (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), Flora and Max discover the transformative power of music. From the musical mind of John Carney, “Flora and Son” explores the bond between a mother and son on a journey toward a new harmony.

September 2023

A Million Miles Away

Directed by: Alejandra Márquez Abella

Cast: Michael Peña, Rosa Salazar, Bobby Soto, Sarayu Blue, Veronica Falcón, Julio César Cedillo, Garret Dillahunt and Eric Johnson

Synopsis: Inspired by the real-life story of NASA flight engineer José Hernández, A Million Miles Away follows him and his devoted family of proud migrant farm workers on a decades-long journey, from a rural village in Michoacán, Mexico, to the fields of the San Joaquin Valley, to more than 200 miles above the Earth in the International Space Station. With the unwavering support of his hard-working parents, relatives, and teachers, José’s unrelenting drive & determination culminate in the opportunity to achieve his seemingly impossible goal. Acclaimed writer and director Alejandra Márquez Abella has created a dazzling tribute to the loyalty and tenacity of the entire Hernández family, as well as anyone who dares to dream.

August 2023

The Hill

Directed by: Jeff Celentano

Cast: Dennis Quaid, Colin Ford, Joelle Carter, Randy Houser, Bonnie Bedelia, Scott Glenn

Synopsis: Growing up impoverished in small-town Texas, young Rickey Hill shows an extraordinary ability for hitting a baseball, despite being burdened by leg braces from a degenerative spinal disease. His stern, pastor father (DENNIS QUAID) discourages Rickey from playing baseball to protect him from injury and to have him follow in his footsteps and become a preacher. As a young man, Rickey (COLIN FORD) becomes a baseball phenomenon. His desire to participate in a try-out for a legendary major league scout divides the family and threatens Rickey’s dream of playing professional baseball. Based on a true story.

August 2023

Between Two Worlds

Directed by: Emmanuel Carrère

Cast: Juliette Binoche, Hélène Lambert, Léa Carne, Emily Madeleine, Patricia Prieur, Evelyne Porée, Didier Pupin

Synopsis: Famed author Marianne Winckler (Juliette Binoche) goes undercover to investigate the exploitation of the working class in Northern France. She eventually lands a job as a cleaner on the cross-channel ferry and develops close connections with the other cleaning women, many of whom have extremely limited resources and income opportunities. As she learns more about the plight of these workers, Marianne struggles with her deception towards them and tries to rationalize that it’s for the greater good.

August 2023

Jules

Directed by: Marc Turtletaub

Cast: Ben Kingsley,Anna George, Harriet Sansom Harris, Zoe Winters, Donald Paul, Jane Curtin

Synopsis: Jules follows Milton (Kingsley) who lives a quiet life of routine in a small western Pennsylvania town, but finds his day upended when a UFO and its extra-terrestrial passenger crash land in his backyard. Before long, Milton develops a close relationship with the extra-terrestrial he calls “Jules.” Things become complicated when two neighbors (Harris and Curtin) discover Jules and the government quickly closes in. What follows is a funny, wildly inventive ride as the three neighbors find meaning and connection later in life - thanks to this unlikely stranger.

July 2023

Chasing Chasing Amy

Directed by: Sav Rogers

Cast: Kevin Smith, Guinevere Turner, Joey Lauren Adams, Scott Mosier, Sav Rodgers, Andrew Ahn, Kevin Willmott, Trish Bendix, Princess Weekes, Regina “Riley” Rodgers

Synopsis: CHASING CHASING AMY explores the transformational impact of a ‘90s rom-com on a 12-year-old kid from Kansas, coming of age and contending with queer identity. For young Sav Rodgers, the Kevin Smith cult classic, CHASING AMY, became a life raft. As Rodgers examines the film and its making as a cornerstone of LGBTQ+ cinema, he finds himself at a complicated crossroads.

July 2023

Earth Mama

Directed by: Savanah Leaf

Cast: Tia Nomore, Erika Alexander, and Doechii

Synopsis: A pregnant single mother, with two children in foster care, embraces her Bay Area community as she fights to reclaim her family in this singular debut feature from filmmaker Savanah Leaf.

June 2023

Daliland

Directed by: Mary Harron

Cast: Sir Ben Kingsley, Barbara Sukowa, Christopher Briney, Rupert Graves, Suki Waterhouse, Andreja Pejic, and Ezra Miller

Synopsis: Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Mary Harron (I SHOT ANDY WARHOL, AMERICAN PSYCHO), DALÍLAND stars Sir Ben Kingsley as the titular Salvador Dalí, one of the most world-renowned artists of the 20th century and focuses on the later years of the strange and fascinating marriage between Dalí and his wife, Gala (Barbara Sukowa), as their seemingly unshakable bond begins to stress and fracture. Set in New York and Spain in 1974, the film is told through the eyes of James (Christopher Briney), a young assistant keen to make his name in the art world, who helps the eccentric and mercurial Dalí prepare for a big gallery show. Rupert Graves, Suki Waterhouse, Andreja Pejic, and Ezra Miller also star.

June 2023

Flamin’ Hot

Directed by: Eva Longoria

Cast: Jesse Garcia, Annie Gonzalez, Dennis Haysbert, Emilio Rivera, Tony Shalhoub, Matt Walsh, Pepe Serna, Bobby Soto, JimmyGonzales, Brice Gonzalez, Vanessa Martinez, Fabian Alomar, Mario Ponce, and Hunter Jones

Synopsis: FLAMIN’ HOT is the inspiring story of Richard Montañez, the Frito Lay janitor who channeled his Mexican American heritage and upbringing to turn the iconic Flamin’ Hot Cheetos into a snack that disrupted the food industry and became a global pop culture phenomenon.

May 2023

Past Lives

Directed by: Celine Song

Cast: Greta Lee, Teo Yoo, John Magaro

Synopsis: Nora and Hae Sung, two deeply connected childhood friends, are wrest apart after Nora’s family emigrates from South Korea. Two decades later, they are reunited in New York for one fateful week as they confront notions of destiny, love, and the choices that make a life, in this heartrending modern romance.

May 2023

You Hurt My Feelings

Directed by: Nicole Holfcener

Cast: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Amber Tamblyn, David Cross, Jeannie Berlin, Owen Teague, Michaela Watkins, Arian Moayed, Tobias Menzies

About the film: From acclaimed filmmaker Nicole Holofcener comes a sharply observed comedy about a novelist whose long-standing marriage is suddenly upended when she overhears her husband give his honest reaction to her latest book. A film about trust, lies, and the things we say to the people we love most.

May 2023

The Eternal Memory

Directed by: Maite Alberdi

Synopsis: Augusto and Paulina have been together and in love for 25 years. Eight years ago, their lives were forever changed by Augusto’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis. As one of Chile’s most prominent cultural commentators and television presenters, Augusto is no stranger to building an archive of memory. Now he turns that work to his own life, trying to hold on to his identity with the help of his beloved Paulina, whose own pre-eminence as a famous actress and Chilean Minister of Culture predates her ceaselessly inventive manner of engaging with her husband. Day by day, the couple face this challenge head-on, relying on the tender affection and sense of humor shared between them that remains remarkably, fully intact.

April 2023

Phoenix Film Festival

Phoenix Film Society membership includes tickets and fun perks for the annual Phoenix Film Festival each year!

This year’s 11 day celebration of film included over 270 film screenings, filmmaking panels, parties, student workshops and much more all at the Harkins Scottsdale 101.

It’s the perfect place to find your new favorite movie.

March 2023

Phoenix Film Festival

Phoenix Film Society membership includes tickets and fun perks for the annual Phoenix Film Festival each year!

This year’s 11 day celebration of film included over 270 film screenings, filmmaking panels, parties, student workshops and much more all at the Harkins Scottsdale 101.

It’s the perfect place to find your new favorite movie.

March 2023

Inside

Directed by: Vasilis Katsoupis

Cast: Gene Bervoets, Eliza Stuyck, Josia Krug, Willem Dafoe

Synopsis: INSIDE tells the story of Nemo, an art thief trapped in a New York penthouse after his heist doesn’t go as planned. Locked inside with nothing but priceless works of art, he must use all his cunning and invention to survive.