BFS helps viewers escape the present with diverse historical film
Though the vaccine(s) are making their way into the arms of our fellow Americans, the local movie theater remains temporarily closed. But fret not: Bozeman Film Society continues to virtually stream independent titles for cinephiles. Watch safely at home with new films added weekly. Streaming sales directly support BFS. Here’s a look at a few new year options.
An encore screening of explosive documentary Coup 53 is available through January 7th. The film unveils the story of Operation Ajax, the CIA/MI6 staged coup in 1953 in Iran that overthrew the democratically elected Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh – with consequences that still shape the modern world. Director Taghi Amirani’s 10-year tenacious investigation into this covert operation uncovers troves of never-seen-before source material, the recently recovered and uncensored transcript of the British spy who masterminded the coup (Norman Darbyshire), and oral histories of Iranian witnesses to the coup, including a play-by-play from the ousted Prime Minister’s head of security. Not Rated with a runtime of 118 minutes.
Classical music biopic Louis Van Beethoven is also available until Jan. 7th. Passionate about music, freedom and truth, the famed composer’s life was a battle against conventions – a nonconformity that allowed him to build an unparalleled work in the history of music that will last forever. German director Niki Stein’s sweeping drama stars Tobias Moretti (The Dark Valley, The German Lesson, A Hidden Life) and Anselm Bresgott (The Most Beautiful Girl in the World) as the great composer. Presented in German with subtitles, the film runs 120 minutes.
Musical drama Stand! is available until Jan. 14th. It’s 1919. Stefan and his father Mike left family in Ukraine, fleeing for the New World, where they struggle to earn enough to re-unite the family. Stefan is instantly smitten with the Jewish suffragette neighbor, Rebecca – but Rebecca’s brother Moishe and Mike oppose the would-be Romeo and Juliet. Returned soldiers, angry at the lack of jobs after the war, violently threaten the city’s immigrants, including Emma, the refugee from racial violence in Oklahoma. When a movement develops for workers to leave their jobs in protest, AJ Anderson, a wealthy lawyer, pits all parties against each other in a dramatic and inspirational final stand. The film runs 110 minutes.
Available through Jan. 21st is Shadow in the Cloud. While traveling with top-secret documents on a B-17 Flying Fortress, a female WWII pilot (Chloë Grace Moretz) encounters an evil presence on board. A bonkers mash-up of monster movie and World War II drama, the film is Rated R and runs 87 minutes.
Art documentary My Rembrandt opens Jan. 22nd. Rembrandt’s paintings have lost none of their appeal in the 350 years since his death. Rembrandt, the grandmaster of intimacy continues rock the art world. 350 years after his death, many people, even entire nations are obsessed with his paintings. Aristocrats cherish, experts rule, art dealers investigate, collectors hunt, museums battle. My Rembrandt provides fascinating insight into what makes the work of this Dutch master technically so extraordinary, and why different people are so deeply affected by his oeuvre, or a specific work. Meanwhile, centuries after Rembrandt’s death, his paintings are still a source of drama and gripping plot twists. Not Rated, the film runs 97 minutes.
Cost and rental period vary per title. Public film screenings at the Ellen will resume when large gatherings can be safely scheduled. Follow BFS on social media for updates. Visit www.bozemanfilmsociety.org for film previews and further information – and “Keep ‘Em Flickering!” •
