After the the 33 year old institution “Movies on Exchange Street” closed it’s doors back in January 2009, Portland Museum of Art’s “Movies at the Museum” has been looking to be an alternative to your blockbuster blues. The museum has since prided itself on keeping the clear objective that Exchange Street has held since the beginning.
“We’ve been working with Steve [Halpert], the former owner of ‘Movies on Exchange Street’ on creating the program,” said Vanessa Nesvig, coordinator of special projects at PMA. “He has really continued using his vision of what movies he would like to show, and occasionally if we can tie it into a exhibition or suggest something but he has a clear vision about what he would like to show and we’re just happy to have it here.”
Running the gambit of independent, foreign, documentary, and classic films, “Movies at the Museum” provides more than your standard movie going experience. They often team up with the art gurus at SPACE Gallery to co-present films of a decidedly artsy and alternative nature.
One such example is “The Cremaster Cycle,” a series of art films divided into five parts, which will be shown from Nov. 18 to 21. It is a particularly exciting acquisition by SPACE Gallery due to its limited availability for screenings and DVD. According to PMA’s website, the series is “an epic masterwork with near cult status in the art world.”
“It’s very special to have ‘The Cremaster Cycle’ here in town,” Nesvig said.
“The Cremaster Cycle” Trailer
Past screenings include a unique mix of classic and practically unheard of films like “A Hard Day’s Night” starring The Beatles, the classic sci-fi “Metropolis,” and the special effects-centric documentary “Picasso and Braque Go to the Movies.”
Upcoming films will include graffiti artist Banksy’s “Exit Through the Gift Shop” (9/24-9/26), the wild and unpredictable “Micmacs” (10/22-10-24), and a documentary about Native Americans in film called “Reel Injun” (10/30-10/31). On Friday October 29 the museum will play host to “Damnationland” a showcase of 7 horror filled short films from Maine-based filmmakers.
All films usually play through Friday night at 6:30 and 2:00 p.m. on the weekends, but make sure to check ahead for special times. Tickets go on sale the day of the show at 10 a.m. and usually run about $7.