The Austin Film Society is turning 20, and, in January, the world-class safe house for cinema of all stripes from Austin to abroad will ramp up its programming in celebration of the art and culture of filmmaking – a celebration whose festivities, it must be said, are sustained throughout the year, nearly every day of it – while also celebrating itself for a while. On Jan. 9, AFS hosts the local premiere of Terrence Malick’s highly anticipated The New World, then launches its latest Essential Cinema series, Official Evil: Political Thrillers in Cinema, on Jan. 10 (schedule below). And on Jan. 13, the thriving group debuts its newest offering: AFS @ the Dobie. We’re not sure what this comprises just yet, but the first title is the Chinese film The World, which was selected by guest programmer Alison Macor.
Amid all of this, AFS has published an 88-page, full-color Retrospective, an invaluable document including essays by founder Richard Linklater, Chronicle Editor Louis Black, Chronicle Film Editor Marjorie Baumgarten, Harry Knowles, John Pierson, Texas Monthly Editor Evan Smith, the Alamo Drafthouse’s Tim and Karrie League, former Austin Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival director and Dobie manager Scott Dinger, cinematographer Lee Daniel, as well as the organization’s own Rebecca Campbell and Chale Nafus. Designed by Marc English, it’s the ideal public archive, rife with poster art, candid photography, and raw data about how the people over in that office pull it off.
If you’ve been to a movie in Austin, chances are you know AFS. But to know it better (or even to become a member) – and to learn more about its anniversary celebration – see www.austinfilm.org.
Official Evil: Political Thrillers in Cinema
Alamo Drafthouse Downtown Tuesdays, 7pm, through FebruaryJan. 10 Machuca
Jan. 17 Nixon
Jan. 24 Lumumba
Jan. 31 The President’s Last Bang
Feb. 7 The Battle of Algiers
Feb. 14 The Edukators
Feb. 21 Tycoon: A New Russian
Feb. 28 Memory of a Killer
This article appears in December 30 • 2005.