Au hasard Balthazar
Dir. and writ. Robert Bresson; feat. Anne Wiazemsky, Françoise LeFarge, Philippe Asselin, Nathalie Joyaut, Walter Green, Jean-Claude Guilbert, Pierre Klossowski, François Sullerot, Marie-Claire Fremont (NR)
Robert Bresson's transcendent 1966 meditation on suffering and sainthood, Au hasard Balthazar, subtly parallels and contrasts the experiences of a mistreated donkey and the young woman who adopted him when she was a girl. Often referred to as "the greatest religious movie ever made," Bresson prods the viewer with questions of self-determination, complicity, and victimhood. Through it all, Balthazar the donkey clippety-clops with amazing grace. — Elaine Wolff
Au hasard Balthazar screens 7:30pm, July 25 as part Texas Public Radio's "Cinema Tuesday" series, at the Bijou at Crossroads. Admission is $10 members / $12 non-members. For more information, call 614-8977.
El Día Que Me Quieras / The Day You Love Me
Dir. Sergio Dow; writ. Jose Ignacio Cabrujas, Sergio Dow, Olinto Taverna, Jorge Goldemberg; feat. Graciela Duffau, Fausto Verdial, Maria Eugenia Davila, Ulises Dumont, Claudio Berge, Adriana Herran (NR)
Winner of the Casa de las Americas for Best Latin American film, The Day You Love Me is a period film that takes us to the year 1935, when Juan Vicente Gomez' dictatorship was in place and Venezuela played host to the great tango singer Carlos Gardel and his film El Dia Que Me Quieras. — Eric Bradshaw
El Dia Que Me Quieras screens 4pm Sunday, July 25, and 7pm Wednesday, July 28 as part of the Instituto de México's "Cine Colombiana" series, at the Instituto, 600 Hemisfair. Admission is free. For more information, call 227-0130, Ext 12.
Phantom from 10,000 Leagues (1956)
Dir. Dan Milner; writ. Lou Rusoff; feat. Kathy Downs, Kent Taylor, Michael Whalen (NR)
Evil oceanographer Professor King creates a sea monster while conducting underwater experiments. His daughter is played by Kathy Downs, who is a love interest as well as, most unlikely, a damsel in distress. As the sea monster kills, a detective and a scientist investigate the murders. — Eric Bradshaw
Phantom from 10,000 Leagues screens at approximately 9pm Thursday, July 22 as part of the series "In the Public Domain," at the Slab, across the street from La Tuna, 100 Probandt. Admission is free. For more information, call 212-9373.
Urban-15 30th Anniversary / Texas-NALIP Video Slam
In celebration of an astonishing 30 years as a multimedia performance arts group, Urban-15 hosts a potluck "Video Slam" presented by the Texas chapter of the National Association of Latino Independent Producers. Local filmmakers and video artists can put their work in the "hat" by 7:30pm on July 24. Screening begins at 8pm with films chosen by lottery. Punctuated by "Carnaval de San Anto" and SambaGram Set" dance performances, the party also features food and drink concessions in Urban-15's garden. — Elaine Wolff
The Urban-15 30th Anniversary Party Video Slam begins at 8pm Saturday, July 24. All entries must be submitted by 7:30pm. Urban-15 Studio, 2500 S. Presa. Admission is free. 736-1500 for more info.
Hertzberg Circus Exhibit 'Movie Night at the Bijou'
The Witte Museum, new home to San Antonio's famed Hertzberg Circus Museum collection, celebrates life under the big top with a screening of Cecil B. DeMille's 1952 film The Greatest Show on Earth at the Bijou at Crossroads. Starring Jimmy Stewart, Charlton Heston, Betty Hutton, and John Ringling North as himself, The Greatest Show follows the life of a trapeze artist, a clown, and an elephant trainer in a three-ring pursuit of life and love. Beer, wine, and hors d'oeuvres will be served, and all proceeds benefit the preservation and exhibition of the Hertzberg collection. — Elaine Wolff
The Hertzberg "Movie Night at the Bijou" is from 6-9pm Wednesday, July 28 at the Bijou at Crossroads Theater. Admission is $25 for Witte Museum members / $35 non-members. Call Kim Head at 357-1922 to reserve tickets.
