Smithsonian
Websites A-Z
Home | About | Exhibitions | Events | Visit  | Hours | Museums | Research | Membership | Giving | Shop | Press Room
Home › Events › Films
Films
Events
film
performance
lecture/seminar
special tour
demonstration
workshop
cooking/dining
cooking/dining
family
evening
Join the Smithsonian
Friday, January 16
7 PM
Film Iranian Film Festival 2009: Three Women
Film
(2008, 94 min., Persian with English subtitles, directed by Manijeh Hekmat, Iran) A dispute over an ancient carpet propels a grandmother, mother, and daughter into realms of mystery and mysticism.
Note: Due to high demands for tickets, assigned seating is in effect for this series. Up to two (2) free tickets per person are distributed 1 hour before.
Free, see Note for ticket information
Repeats Jan. 18, festival continues Jan. 23 & 25, and in Feb.
Freer and Sackler Galleries
Location: Freer Gallery Meyer Auditorium
iCalendar Add to Outlook/iCal Add to Google Calendar
Sunday, January 18
10 AM-5:30 PM
Film Renewing America's Promise: Presidential Films
Inaugural Activities
To celebrate the 56th Presidential Inauguration, the Smithsonian screens popular Hollywood films featuring fictional stories woven around the presidency, the White House, and national leadership.

• 10:00 AM: JFK (189 min., 1991, directed by Oliver Stone) New Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison is highly suspicious of the official story presented by the FBI to explain JFK's assassination. When he takes it upon himself to investigate, he unearths a deadly conspiracy. Starring Kevin Costner, Tommy Lee Jones, and Kevin Bacon.

• 1:30 PM: The American President (114 min., 1005, directed by Rob Reiner) Widowed U.S. president Andrew Shephard falls in love with lobbyist Sydney Helen Wade. His relationship with Wade opens the door for his prime political opponent, Senator Bob Rumson, to launch an attack on the President's character, threatening his all but certain re-election. Starring Michael Douglas, Annette Benning, and Richard Dreyfuss.

• 4:00 PM: Dr. Strangelove (93 min., 1964, directed by Stanley Kubrick) At the height of the Cold War, Air Force General Jack D. Ripper is convinced of a Communist plot to conquer the Free World. Will the bombers be stopped in time, or will General Jack Ripper succeed in destroying the World? Starring Peter Sellars and George C. Scott.

Free
Repeats Jan. 19

Ripley Center
Location: S. Dillon Ripley Center Sublevel 3 (check monitor)
iCalendar Add to Outlook/iCal Add to Google Calendar
12 Noon-5:30 PM
Performance Film Family Lecture Renewing America's Promise: Celebrate African Music & Film
Inaugural Activities
To celebrate the 56th Presidential Inauguration, the museum offers the following programs:

• Treasure Hunt: Visitors can take part in a treasure hunt through the museum's exhibitions to find an array of leadership arts from across the African continent. Pick up self-guided activity at the information desk.

• 12 Noon-2 PM: Screening of the film Hip Hop Colony, a documentary that takes an intimate look at hip hop while establishing its ties to Kenya (Lecture Hall).

• 2-4 PM: DJ Adrian Loving performs a mix of African percussion and hip hop (Mezzanine).

• 4-5 PM: Dr. Mark Auslander (Brandeis University) discusses African kingship ceremonies in a lecture entitled "Leadership is People: African Celebrations of a New Leader" (Lecture Hall).

Free
Continues Jan. 19
Related Exhibition: African Vision: The Walt Disney-Tishman African Art Collection

African Art Museum
Location: African Art Museum Throughout the museum
iCalendar Add to Outlook/iCal Add to Google Calendar
2 PM
Film Iranian Film Festival 2009: Three Women
Film
(2008, 94 min., Persian with English subtitles, directed by Manijeh Hekmat, Iran) A dispute over an ancient carpet propels a grandmother, mother, and daughter into realms of mystery and mysticism.
Note: Due to high demands for tickets, assigned seating is in effect for this series. Up to two (2) free tickets per person are distributed 1 hour before.
Free, see Note for ticket information
Film festival continues Jan. 23 & 25, and in Feb.
Freer and Sackler Galleries
Location: Freer Gallery Meyer Auditorium
iCalendar Add to Outlook/iCal Add to Google Calendar
Monday, January 19
10 AM-5:30 PM
Film Renewing America's Promise: Presidential Films
Inaugural Activities
To celebrate the 56th Presidential Inauguration, the Smithsonian screens popular Hollywood films featuring fictional stories woven around the presidency, the White House, and national leadership.

• 10 AM: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (129 min., 1939, directed by Frank Capra) Naive and idealistic Jefferson Smith, leader of the Boy Rangers, discovers many of the shortcomings of the political process as his earnest goal of a National Boys' Camp leads to a conflict with the state political boss. Starring James Stewart.

• 1 PM: All the President's Men (138 min., 1976, directed by Alan Pakula) Enactment of the work of Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, who uncovered the dirty tricks campaign and the cover-up of the White House's involvement in the Watergate break in. Starring Dustin Hoffman and Robert Redford.

• 4 PM: My Fellow Americans (101 min., 1996, directed by Peter Segal) Kramer and Douglas, two former presidents from opposite ends of the political spectrum, become reluctant allies when they become the target of a conspirator in President Haney's administration. Starring Jack Lemmon, James Garner, and Dan Aykroyd.

Free
Last day

Ripley Center
Location: S. Dillon Ripley Center Sublevel 3 (check monitor)
iCalendar Add to Outlook/iCal Add to Google Calendar
12 Noon-5:30 PM
Performance Film Family Renewing America's Promise: Celebrate African Music & Film
Inaugural Activities
To celebrate the 56th Presidential Inauguration, the museum offers the following programs:

• Treasure Hunt: Visitors can take part in a treasure hunt through the museum's exhibitions to find an array of leadership arts from across the African continent. Pick up self-guided activity at the information desk.

• 12 Noon-2 PM: Screening of the film Africa Underground: Democracy in Dakar (Lecture Hall).

• 2-3:15 PM: Hip hop artist Anna Mwalahgo and Afro-Floetry will perform in the pavilion and debut her new Obama song.

Free
Last day
Related Exhibition: African Vision: The Walt Disney-Tishman African Art Collection

African Art Museum
Location: African Art Museum Throughout the museum
iCalendar Add to Outlook/iCal Add to Google Calendar
Thursday, January 22
6 PM
Film Selected Short Works
Films
(60 min.) The museum screens a selection of short films from its collection:
Running Outburst (1975) by Charlemagne Palestine
Three Transitions (1973) by Peter Campus
Swamp (1971) by Nancy Holt and Robert Smithson
Technology/Transformation: Wonder Woman (1978-79) by Dara Birnbaum
Beach Boys/Geto Boys (2004) by Cory Arcangel
Female Sensibility (1973) by Lynda Benglis
Walking Forward-Running Past (1971) by John Baldessari
Free
American Art Museum
Location: Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture McEvoy Auditorium (enter from G St.)
iCalendar Add to Outlook/iCal Add to Google Calendar
Friday, January 23
7 PM
Film Iranian Film Festival 2009: Head Wind
Film
(2008, 65 min., Persian with English subtitles, directed by Mohammad Rasoulof, Iran) This documentary takes a searing look inside the Islamic Republic and its losing battle for control over the flow of information that enters the country from the outside world. The film touches on one of the major post-revolution issues by examining Iran's underground satellite, Internet, and DVD culture.
Note: Due to high demands for tickets, assigned seating is in effect for this series. Up to two (2) free tickets per person are distributed 1 hour before.
Free, see Note for ticket information
Repeats Jan. 25, festival continues in Feb.
Freer and Sackler Galleries
Location: Freer Gallery Meyer Auditorium
iCalendar Add to Outlook/iCal Add to Google Calendar
Sunday, January 25
2 PM
Film Iranian Film Festival 2009: Head Wind
Film
(2008, 65 min., Persian with English subtitles, directed by Mohammad Rasoulof, Iran) This documentary takes a searing look inside the Islamic Republic and its losing battle for control over the flow of information that enters the country from the outside world. The film touches on one of the major post-revolution issues by examining Iran's underground satellite, Internet, and DVD culture.
Note: Due to high demands for tickets, assigned seating is in effect for this series. Up to two (2) free tickets per person are distributed 1 hour before.
Free, see Note for ticket information
Film festival continues Feb. 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, & 22
Freer and Sackler Galleries
Location: Freer Gallery Meyer Auditorium
iCalendar Add to Outlook/iCal Add to Google Calendar
Thursday, February 5
7 PM
Performance Film Special Sneak Preview
African Diaspora Film Festival
Note: Films are recommended for mature audiences. A moderated discussion follows.
See this special sneak preview with director Jeffrey Levy-Hinte and musical performance from the diaspora with the Ricky Patton Ensemble.
Free; registration required, call 633-4633 or espositof@si.edu
African Art Museum
Location: African Art Museum Lecture Hall, Sublevel 2
iCalendar Add to Outlook/iCal Add to Google Calendar
Friday, February 6
7 PM
Film Iranian Film Festival 2009: Loose Rope
Film
(2008, 82 min., Persian with English subtitles, directed by Mehrshad Karkhani, Iran) Two young rural men who work at the animals market in Tehran have only twenty-four hours to take a large cow from downtown to the northern part of the city -- or else their jobs and futures are at stake. The spectators follow their obligatory journey with the rope, which is tied around the cow.
Note: Due to high demands for tickets, assigned seating is in effect for this series. Up to two (2) free tickets per person are distributed 1 hour before.
Free, see Note for ticket information
Repeats Feb. 8, festival continues Feb. 13, 15, 20, & 22
Freer and Sackler Galleries
Location: Freer Gallery Meyer Auditorium
iCalendar Add to Outlook/iCal Add to Google Calendar
Sunday, February 8
2 PM
Film Iranian Film Festival 2009: Loose Rope
Film
(2008, 82 min., Persian with English subtitles, directed by Mehrshad Karkhani, Iran) Two young rural men who work at the animals market in Tehran have only twenty-four hours to take a large cow from downtown to the northern part of the city -- or else their jobs and futures are at stake. The spectators follow their obligatory journey with the rope, which is tied around the cow.
Note: Due to high demands for tickets, assigned seating is in effect for this series. Up to two (2) free tickets per person are distributed 1 hour before.
Free, see Note for ticket information
Film festival continues Feb. 13, 15, 20, & 22
Freer and Sackler Galleries
Location: Freer Gallery Meyer Auditorium
iCalendar Add to Outlook/iCal Add to Google Calendar
Thursday, February 12
6 PM
Film Art:21 at SAAM: Stories
Documentary Film Series
Note: This film is unrated and may not be suitable for all audiences.

(60 min.) This documentary, from the award-winning series Art in the Twenty-First Century, features behind-the-scenes conversations with contemporary artists Charles Atlas, Kara Walker, Kiki Smith, Do-Ho Suh, and Trenton Doyle Hancock in their studios, homes, and communities.
Free
Last in series

American Art Museum
Location: Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture McEvoy Auditorium (enter from G St.)
iCalendar Add to Outlook/iCal Add to Google Calendar
7 PM
Film A Dios Momo (Goodbye Momo)
African Diaspora Film Festival
Note: Film is recommended for mature audiences. A moderated discussion follows.
(2005, 100 min., Spanish with English subtitles, directed by Leonardo Ricagni, Uruguay) Obdulio is an 11-year-old Afro-Uruguayan street boy who lives with his grandmother and sells newspapers for a living. He's not interested in going to school until he finds out that the night watchman of the newspaper's office is a charismatic magical "Maestro" who not only introduces him to the world of literacy but also teaches him the real meaning of life through the lyrics of the "Murgas" (Carnival Pierrots) during the mythical nights of the irreverent and provocative Uruguayan carnival.
Free; registration required, call 633-4633 or espositof@si.edu
African Art Museum
Location: African Art Museum Lecture Hall, Sublevel 2
iCalendar Add to Outlook/iCal Add to Google Calendar
Friday, February 13
7 PM
Film Iranian Film Festival 2009: Over There
Film
(2008, 75 min., Persian with English subtitles, directed by Abdolreza Kahani, Iran) This black-and-white film follows ten days in the lives of Payman and Leila, a young couple in the middle of a marital meltdown. Payman has only ten days left to return to the United States to renew his green card, but he cannot exit the country until he legally leaves his wife with five hundred gold coins.
Note: Due to high demands for tickets, assigned seating is in effect for this series. Up to two (2) free tickets per person are distributed 1 hour before.
Free, see Note for ticket information
Repeats Feb. 15, festival continues Feb. 20 & 22
Freer and Sackler Galleries
Location: Freer Gallery Meyer Auditorium
iCalendar Add to Outlook/iCal Add to Google Calendar
Sunday, February 15
2 PM
Film Iranian Film Festival 2009: Over There
Film
(2008, 75 min., Persian with English subtitles, directed by Abdolreza Kahani, Iran) This black-and-white film follows ten days in the lives of Payman and Leila, a young couple in the middle of a marital meltdown. Payman has only ten days left to return to the United States to renew his green card, but he cannot exit the country until he legally leaves his wife with five hundred gold coins.
Note: Due to high demands for tickets, assigned seating is in effect for this series. Up to two (2) free tickets per person are distributed 1 hour before.
Free, see Note for ticket information
Film festival continues Feb. 20 & 22
Freer and Sackler Galleries
Location: Freer Gallery Meyer Auditorium
iCalendar Add to Outlook/iCal Add to Google Calendar
Thursday, February 19
7 PM
Film Cousines
African Diaspora Film Festival
Note: Film is recommended for mature audiences. A moderated discussion follows with special guest.
(2006, 97 min., Creole/French with English subtitles, directed by Richard Senecal, Haiti) In this drama, Jessica (Jessica Geneus) lives a quiet life in Port-au-Prince but becomes homeless when her father, who lives in the U.S., dies. Without resources, will she be able to resist the temptation of several suitors, one of whom is played by Jimmy Jean-Louis -- featured among the cast of the television phenomenon Heroes?
Free; registration required, call 633-4633 or espositof@si.edu
African Art Museum
Location: African Art Museum Lecture Hall, Sublevel 2
iCalendar Add to Outlook/iCal Add to Google Calendar
Friday, February 20
7 PM
Film Iranian Film Festival 2009: Santouri: The Music Man
Film
(2007, 106 min., Persian with English subtitles, directed by Dariush Mehrjui, Iran) Dariush Mehrjui's latest work focuses on Ali, a popular young singer and musician, who struggles with heroin addiction.
Note: Due to high demands for tickets, assigned seating is in effect for this series. Up to two (2) free tickets per person are distributed 1 hour before.
Free, see Note for ticket information
Repeats Feb. 22
Freer and Sackler Galleries
Location: Freer Gallery Meyer Auditorium
iCalendar Add to Outlook/iCal Add to Google Calendar
Sunday, February 22
2 PM
Film Iranian Film Festival 2009: Santouri: The Music Man
Film
(2007, 106 min., Persian with English subtitles, directed by Dariush Mehrjui, Iran) Dariush Mehrjui's latest work focuses on Ali, a popular young singer and musician, who struggles with heroin addiction.
Note: Due to high demands for tickets, assigned seating is in effect for this series. Up to two (2) free tickets per person are distributed 1 hour before.
Free, see Note for ticket information
Last program
Freer and Sackler Galleries
Location: Freer Gallery Meyer Auditorium
iCalendar Add to Outlook/iCal Add to Google Calendar
Wednesday, February 25
11 AM and 7 PM
Film Black Orpheus
Video
(1959, 107 min., directed by Marcel Camus, in Portuguese with English subtitles) This video is based on the Greek Orpheus-Eurydice legend, but updated with an all-black cast, played against the colorful background of Carnival in Brazil. Celebrates Black History Month.
Free; for information, call 202-633-4844
Related Exhibition: Jubilee: African American Celebration
Anacostia Community Museum
Location: Anacostia Community Museum 1901 Fort Place, SE
iCalendar Add to Outlook/iCal Add to Google Calendar
Saturday, February 28
1 PM
Family Film Kirikou and the Sorceress
Film
(for ages 7+) (1998, 71 min., directed by Michel Ocelot, France) This award-winning animated film recounts a West African folktale about a newborn boy who saves his village from the curse of the evil sorceress Karaba.
Free
African Art Museum
Location: African Art Museum Lecture Hall, Sublevel 2
iCalendar Add to Outlook/iCal Add to Google Calendar
Saturday, March 7
2 PM
Film Stomp the Yard
Video
(2007, 114 min., directed by Sylvain White, rated PG-13) DJ, an underground street dancer, enters college and becomes adept at "stepping," a form of marching performed by college fraternities.
Free; for reservation, call 202-633-4844
See related program at 12 Noon today
Related Exhibition: Jubilee: African American Celebration
Anacostia Community Museum
Location: Anacostia Community Museum 1901 Fort Place, SE
iCalendar Add to Outlook/iCal Add to Google Calendar
More Events
Johnson IMAX Theater
The Samuel C. Johnson Theater features three-dimensional (3D) large screen format films in the National Museum of Natural History.
Lockheed Martin & Udvar-Hazy Center IMAX Theaters
Explore our fascination with flight through the air and in space. View Earth from the open cargo bay of the Space Shuttle. Journey to natural and manmade wonders of the world. National Air and Space Museum.
IMAX and Jazz Cafe
Friday evening event offers music by Washington's top jazz musicians, screenings of several IMAX films, and an elegant dinner a la carte.
Contacts | FAQ | Privacy | Copyright
Top  Top