1999

Full Series Pass: $200 ($150 Belcourt members) | Ticket 5-Pack: $45 ($35 Belcourt members)

Whether you were first discovering the wonderful world of cinema when your parents let you rent your first R-rated movie from the local video store or you were the parent praying you didn’t have to watch BABY GENIUSES for the millionth time or you were just lucky enough to get to the theater to see Stanley Kubrick’s final film or a no-budget horror flick about lost documentarians, 1999 was a major touchstone for a lot of us. Y2K was breathing down our collective necks, but theaters were brimming with a veritable treasure trove of work by old masters and exciting new voices. Cher was making us believe in life after love, Britney inexplicably wanted us to hit her (one more time), and TLC was telling us exactly what they thought of scrubs while M. Night was making us see dead people, Morpheus was pushing pills and we were all learning the first and second rules of a cabal of underground pugilists. We’re celebrating that moment 25 years on with a series of 25 films (culled from a list of over 150 deserving candidates) that encapsulate the unique spirit and zeitgeist of the time, from the multiplex to the arthouse. We invite you all to take a trip with us down memory lane as the Belcourt parties like it’s 1999.

Programmer’s note:
There is no shortage of films that really should be included here. We could easily fill two more 25-film series from the leftovers. It was that good of a year. Other factors such as rights issues, print condition and lack of availability played into some of our more glaring omissions, of which there are plenty. Additionally, some films released in 1999 had their festival premieres in 1998. Likewise, others had their festival premieres in 1999 and opened in 2000. We’ve taken license as we’ve seen fit.

Past Screenings

SUN, JUN 23 AT 6:45PM

Cringe Cafe: A Writing Workshop Celebrating 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU

On Sun, Jun 23 at 6:45pm (after the 4:50pm screening of 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU), writer and Belcourt staff member Sheronica Hayes will lead a ticketed writing workshop, Cringe Cafe.

Tue, Jun 4 at 3:45pm, 7:30pm

MAGNOLIA

When this many lives intersect, the results can be smooth and sinuous or jagged and explosive. During the course of a Los Angeles day, hearts will break, tears will fall, love will take hold and the skies themselves will open up. Twenty-five years on, there’s still nothing like MAGNOLIA. Screening in 35mm

Wed, Jun 5 at 3:50pm, 9:30pm

THE MATRIX

Thomas Anderson’s life is lived in the realm of the digital. He’s a hacker, and he hasn’t a clue that the world around him is just as manufactured and removed from real life as the screens and virtual spaces he dallies in. But when the sleeper awakens, reality itself collapses into a whole new world.

Thu, Jun 6 at 5:45pm

AFTER LIFE

The recently deceased are given the chance to decide upon their most beloved memory, which is then filmed by a rough-and-tumble film crew and screened, becoming the single memory they take beyond this world and into eternity.

Fri, Jun 7 at 3:00pm, 9:30pm

THE VIRGIN SUICIDES

Sofia Coppola adapts Jeffrey Eugenides’ acclaimed novel of suburban tragedy and, with this sensual and empathic portrait of the sufferings of the Lisbon family, introduces herself as a major director.

Sat, Jun 8 at 4:20pm

THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY

A taste of the good life has swept aspirational gadabout Tom Ripley into a scheme. Which isn’t a problem per se, but there are unseen currents swirling at every step, and desire is a need that only grows stronger.

Sun, Jun 9 at 4:50pm, 9:10pm

BOWFINGER

In this love letter to no-budget genre filmmaking from writer and star Steve Martin, a Z-grade wannabe Hollywood director strikes on a genius idea for his newest script when he decides to cast an unwitting action star (Eddie Murphy) as the lead.

Fri-Sun, Jun 7-9

THE IRON GIANT

This throwback to Cold War America about a young boy who befriends a robot from outer space touches on the paranoia of the time, the loneliness of boyhood, and the value of creativity. It’s quite simply one of the greatest animated films of the ‘90s.

Tue, Jun 11 at 3:20pm, 5:40pm, 8:00pm

THE SIXTH SENSE

Cole Sear is a little boy carrying an unfathomable weight on his shoulders. He’s getting older, the kids at school are merciless in their bullying, and he can never truly be alone — because he sees the dead wherever he goes.

Sat, Jun 8 | 10:30-11:30am

Supergiant: A Seminar on the Impact of THE IRON GIANT

Prior to the Belcourt’s presentation of THE IRON GIANT, 2D animators Nathan Morrow and Skylar Wilson from the Nashville-based animation studio Skybone Studios will discuss this seminal cult classic and its impact on the world of animation. Join us for a conversation about creating 2D animation, the storied history of THE IRON GIANT production, and the rise and fall of 2D animation in the 1990s.

Wed, Jun 12 at 5:05pm

GIRL, INTERRUPTED

Boasting an incredible ensemble cast, this adaptation of Susanna Kaysen’s autobiographical account (set in the late ‘60s) of being committed to a psychiatric hospital foregrounded a nuanced take on women’s traumatic experiences. Screening in 35mm

Thu, Jun 13 at 2:00pm, 6:15pm

RATCATCHER

In her breathtaking and assured debut feature, Lynne Ramsay creates a haunting evocation of a troubled Glasgow childhood.

Fri, Jun 14 at 4:50pm, 9:15pm

RUSHMORE

Precocious, persistent and mildly insufferable, Max Fischer is the kind of student who delights some adults and fuels ulcers in others. But a crush on a teacher puts him at odds with his newest friend, a curmudgeonly Vietnam vet, and Rushmore Academy is not ready for this level of care and concern curdled.

Sat, Jun 15 at 5:25pm

THE INSIDER

Tells the true story of the TV expose of the tobacco industry, broadcast on “60 Minutes,” as seen through the eyes of a real tobacco executive, Jeffrey Wigand. Screening in 35mm

Sun, Jun 16 at 2:45pm, 9:20pm

OFFICE SPACE

The first cinematic example of writer/director Mike Judge playing the cinematic long game, this eminently quotable film follows tech dudes, wage slaves, restaurant servers and disposable peons through a workscape equal parts Jacques Tati and Marquis de Sade. But a hypnotic accident just may help bring down the exploitative framework of modern capitalism.

Sun, June 16 at 4:55pm

TOY STORY 2

Woody, Buzz, and the rest of the gang from Andy’s room return — with a profound existential question to face: is it better for a toy to be played with until there is nothing left, or to live an immeasurable lifetime on display?

Tue, Jun 18 at 3:30pm, 5:45pm, 8:00pm

ELECTION

No one would have expected a high school student council election in Omaha to serve up an apt representation of American politics. But no one could have expected Tracy Flick (Reese Witherspoon) and her most resourceful will.

Sat, Jun 15 | 11am-12:15pm

Panic Like It’s 1999: Crisis in Turn of the Century Cinema

The year 1999 was a moment of significant historical and social change and a watershed moment in cinema history. This seminar will address a spectrum of changes and innovations in the cinema of 1999 — including THE MATRIX, FIGHT CLUB, BEING JOHN MALKOVICH and the TOY STORY franchise — and their relationship to each other.

Wed, Jun 19 at 4:20pm, 9:00pm

FIGHT CLUB

Your comfortable life, catalog-refined and impeccably furnished, has you pacing back and forth in a space growing all the smaller with each passing day. But that’s okay. Your new buddy Tyler’s gonna help you break out of your immaculate cage — and then burn it all down.

Sun, Jun 16 at 12:20pm, 7:00pm | Thu, Jun 20 at 4:40pm, 9:10pm

LOCK, STOCK AND TWO SMOKING BARRELS

Future action superstar Jason Statham burst onto the scene alongside a number of familiar British character actors in this gritty gangster flick imbued with music video aesthetics and fledgling director Guy Ritchie’s signature brand of jet black humor.

Mon, Jun 17 at 3:00pm, 5:30pm, 8:00pm | Fri, Jun 21 at 5:00pm, 9:25pm

GHOST DOG: WAY OF THE SAMURAI

In Jim Jarmusch’s postmodern take on the hit-man thriller, Forest Whitaker stars as a contract killer who adheres to the Japanese warrior code even as chaos and violence from a bumbling mob outfit spirals around him. RZA’s sublime score lends heavily. A cinematic mixtape built around a one-of-a-kind tragic hero.

Wed, Jun 19 at 2:30pm, 7:10pm | Fri, Jun 21 at 3:10pm | Sat, Jun 22 at 5:40pm, 10:00pm | Sun, Jun 23 at 7:10pm

RUN LOLA RUN

Tearing through the streets of Berlin, fire-haired Lola (Franka Potente, in a remarkable debut) has 20 minutes to right wrongs and save her boyfriend. New 4K Restoration

Thu, Jun 20 at 2:30pm, 7:00pm | Sun, Jun 23 at 4:50pm, 9:00pm

10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU

In this update of Shakespeare’s “Taming of the Shrew,” a family rule forbids Bianca Stratford from dating until her rebellious, boy-hating older sister Kat gets a suitor of her own. In an effort to win Bianca, a potential boyfriend desperately attempts to set Kat up with Patrick Verona, another rebel who may just be able to capture Kat's heart.

Fri, Jun 21 at 7:30pm, 10:00pm | Sat, Jun 22 at 1:20pm, 10:10pm | Sun, Jun 23 at 9:25pm

THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT

In October of 1994, three student filmmakers disappeared in the woods near Burkittsville, Maryland while shooting a documentary. A year later their footage was found.

Tue, Jun 25 at 1:50pm, 6:45pm

MAN ON THE MOON

Comedian, performance artist, beloved television personality and home-grown weirdo Andy Kaufman (Jim Carrey) lived a tale as inscrutable and unexpected as the characters and archetypes he embodied, brought to life by the master of the humane, Miloš Forman.

Tue, Jun 25 at 4:20pm, 9:15pm

BEING JOHN MALKOVICH

A frustrated puppeteer happens upon an egress that passes through to the mind of actor and icon John Malkovich, with earth-shaking chaos unfolding.

Mon, Jun 24 at 3:30pm, 5:45pm, 8:00pm

BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB

With a small film crew, Wim Wenders accompanies friend/guitarist Ry Cooder on a trip to Havana, immersing themselves in the world of Cuban music. The resulting documentary became a cinematic sensation and an international success.

Sun, June 30 at 12:00pm, 7:35pm

EYES WIDE SHUT

A dreamscape sprung from Arthur Schnitzler and the sensual imaginations of America at Christmas time, pondering celebrity and fidelity, Stanley Kubrick’s final film is a moody, weird sexual odyssey from the holiday-lit townhouses of New York to the multicolored twinkle of the rainbow’s end. Screening in 35mm