In collaboration with Los Angeles’ American Cinematheque, New York’s Paris Theater will be presenting the second annual “Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair” from June 8 to June 14. This beloved film series embraces the darker side of cinema with empathy, introspection, and unflinching honesty.
The series features a stellar lineup of special guests for post-screening conversations:
- Kathleen Turner will be present for a screening of the dark comedy “The War of the Roses” (1989), which has recently been remade by Jay Roach starring Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch.
- John Turturro discusses “Miller’s Crossing” (1990), one of his standout collaborations with the Coen Brothers.
- Writer/Director Kenneth Lonergan returns to the Paris for a Q&A following “Manchester by the Sea” (2016), starring Academy Award-winner Casey Affleck and Lucas Hedges.
- Hot off their success with “The Brutalist,” Brady Corbet and Mona Fastvold, joined by actor Daniel London, will discuss their work on “Vox Lux” (2018).
- Closing the series, Todd Solondz will appear for a conversation following his notorious second feature “Happiness” (1998), starring Phillip Seymour Hoffman and screening in a new 4K restoration.
Festival highlights also include 4K restorations of Uli Edel’s “Christiane F.” (1981) and Atom Egoyan’s The “Sweet Hereafter” (1997), both landmark films of emotional intensity and striking vision.
“Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair” originated in Los Angeles four years ago. In the time since, it has continued to showcase powerful films that — through stark imagery, existential dread, and shocking sincerity — explore the harshest realities of the human experience. This year’s New York edition continues the tradition with 17 bold selections spanning genres and decades, each confronting despair in pursuit of raw authenticity.
Audiences can also look forward to rare presentations of:
- 35mm prints of Catherine Breillat’s “Fat Girl” (2001), Stanley Kubrick’s “A Clockwork Orange” (1971), and Denis Villeneuve’s “Incendies” (2010)
- 4K restorations of “Naked” (1993), “Scarlet Street” (1945), and “Detour” (1945)
- A 40th anniversary screening of Elem Klimov’s searing anti-war statement “Come and See” (1985)
- Additional titles including “The Virgin Suicides” (1999), “Peeping Tom” (1960), and “Battles Without Honor and Humanity” (1973)
Tickets are now on sale. Stay tuned for more screenings at The Paris Theater and guest announcements in the coming days. The Los Angeles installment of “Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair” runs from June 1 to June 7 and features 55 films from 16 countries, with over 20 special guests in attendance.
