Event

To Sleep With Anger

Wed Feb 13: 7.00pm
Fri Feb 15: 7.00pm
Sat Feb 16: 7.00pm

Charles Burnett
US
1990
1h 41m

** In honor of Black History Month, a new restoration of an LA Rebellion masterwork! Co-presented with LANGSTON **

Charles Burnetts beautiful, poetic masterpiece is novelistic in its narrative density and richness of characterization. Harry Mention, an enigmatic drifter from the South, comes to visit an old acquaintance named Gideon, who now lives in South-Central Los Angeles. Harrys charming, down-home manner hides a malicious penchant for stirring up trouble, and he exerts a strange and powerful effect on Gideon and his thoroughly assimilated black, middle-class family. The household was already rife with conflict when the devilish guest arrived, and Harrys grab-bag of folktales, lucky charms and foul magic only deepens the family rift. Sickness and insanity gradually descend upon Gideons home, and it soon becomes evident that something will have to give.

** Post-screening discussion and introduction by Charles Mudede of The Stranger on Feb. 15 in celebration of his birthday! **

Here are two things that cannot be contested: The greatest film made by a black American is Charles Burnetts To Sleep with Anger, and the greatest film made by a black African is Djibril Diop Mambétys Hyenas. Charles Mudede, The Stranger

Theres no Moonlight without Charles Burnett. the auteur behind To Sleep With Anger, arguably the best performance of Danny Glovers career. Soraya Nadia McDonald, The Undefeated

One of the finest films to explore city versus country, old ways versus new, kin versus kin. Melissa Anderson, Village Voice

Burnett and his cast tap depths of mystery, soulfulness, and glee. Michael Sragow, New Yorker

The greatest American film. Christopher Day, Managing Director