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USA, 2026, John Wilson
It takes a special talent to make an entertaining, funny and informative documentary on perhaps the dullest subject imaginable: concrete. Credit is due to filmmaker John Wilson for doing just that with THE HISTORY OF CONCRETE. After attending a workshop on how to write and sell a Hallmark movie, Wilson tries to use the same formula to sell a documentary about concrete. "I doubt any movie, especially not any documentary, will make me laugh harder this year. Even with my high expectations, The History of Concrete is a small triumph." Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter. 100 min.
Cleveland premiere.
Saturday 3:00 pm & Saturday 5:00 pm & Sunday 7:35 pm
Watch the trailer below:
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UK, 2025, Rupert Russell
THE LAST SACRIFICE is a fascinating documentary that delves into the real-life 1945 witchcraft killing of Charles Walton—the terrifying event which inspired The Wicker Man and birthed the folk horror genre. This unsettling true-crime interrogation probes into the eerie, enigmatic cultural undercurrents that shaped 1970's folk horror boom, leaving an indelible mark on cinema and public psyche. 94 min.
Cleveland premiere. Speak of the Devil. Special introduction by Steven Intermill, Director of Cleveland's Buckland Museum of Witchcraft & Magick.
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USA, 1930, Robert Z. Leonard
THE DIVORCEE is based on Ursula Parrott’s novel, The Ex-Wife. MGM had purchased the book which had been deemed unfilmable due to its subject matter of infidelity. Producer Irving Thalberg (and husband of Norma Shearer) worked with a team of writers to translate the story for the screen. Shearer had been in a long series of light comedies and interesting dramas that had made the studio millions of dollars. Thalberg did not consider her "sexy" enough to play the lead character Jerry. Introduced to portrait photographer George Hurrell through friend Ramon Novarro, Norma set up a session to prove her allure, producing images that ultimately convinced Thalberg she could tackle the role. She would go on to with the Best Actress Academy Award for her performance. Rare 35mm screening of this racy pre-code classic. 100 min.
Sundays with Shearer. In 35mm. Introduction by Norma Shearer authority, Darin Barnes. Post-screening Film Club discussion with Darin Barnes. Special admission $14/$11.
Sunday 3:00 pm
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| | VOYAGE OF THE ROCK ALIENS
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USA, 1984, James Fargo
VOYAGE OF THE ROCK ALIENS is a genre-bending cult musical mutation from the outer limits of the cosmos (aka 1984). A group of extraterrestrials blast through the galaxy in a guitar-shaped spaceship, searching for the truest form of rock 'n' roll. Naturally, they think they have discovered it after witnessing Dee Dee (Pia Zadora) competing to become the top rocker in the small town of Speelburgh, USA. Packed with neon colors, new wave aesthetics to spare, and Michael Berryman (The Hills Have Eyes) as a chainsaw-wielding psychopath, this is one that has to be seen to be believed. Newly restored from the original camera negative! 97 min.
Cult Musicals.
Thursday 8:50 pm
Watch the trailer below:
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USA/W. Germany, 1980, William Friedkin
This unapologetically sleazy police thriller by Oscar-winner William Friedkin (The French Connection), was greeted with LGBTQ protests when it was initially released but has since gained a modern queer cult following. Based on a true story about a serial killer who was stalking gay bars, Friedkin heightens the reality and features a rookie cop (Al Pacino) infiltrating the S&M subculture to try and lure the killer out of the shadows. Shot on location in some of NYC's most iconic gay bars, CRUISING was ahead of its time. "It's a lurid, twisted film that brings you into its world and completely works you over." - Mike LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle. 102 min.
4K Restoration. See the new documentary Mineshaft: The Cruising Murders next week with a virtual Q&A with director Jeffrey Schwarz.
Friday 8:50 pm & Saturday 7:10 pm
Watch the trailer below:
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UK/USA/Iran, 2019, Taghi Amirani
In 1953, a military coup led by British MI6 backed by the CIA overthrew Iran's democratically elected Prime Minister, Mohammad Mossadegh. His crime: nationalizing the country's oil. The truth behind that original regime change for oil was buried for decades. Iranian director Taghi Amirani spent ten years uncovering what really happened. Working with legendary editor Walter Murch (Apocalypse Now) and a gripping performance by Ralph Fiennes, who reads from a transcript of an interview with the MI6 agent who plotted the coup, COUP 53 unfolds like a John le Carré spy thriller — except every word is true. "Coup 53 is stranger than fiction and a terrifying reminder that the past never goes away." Charlotte O'Sullivan, London Evening Standard. Some subtitles. 120 min.
Sunday 5:15 pm
Watch the trailer below:
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| | SHED Projects presents SHORT CUTS
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USA, 2026, Various
SHED Projects presents the second edition of SHORT CUTS, an international short film festival celebrating experimental, artist-made film and video works five minutes and under. Open to filmmakers and visual artists working across genres, disciplines, and techniques, Short Cuts embraces experimentation, creative risk-taking, and unconventional approaches to the moving image. This year's program features a diverse selection of regional, national, and international artists, highlighting the breadth of contemporary experimental film and video practices. Supported in part by Neighbor Up CLE. 94 min.
Cleveland premiere. Updated start time. FREE ADMISSION.
Thursday 7:00 pm
Watch the trailer below:
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| | SHE CREATES SHORTS - LUMINOUS RISING: VOICES IN FORMATION
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USA, 2026, Various
This program celebrates girls and young women at every stage of discovering and refining their voice and vision. From the radiant first breakthroughs of teen and middle/high school creators to the disciplined artistry of college and film school storytellers, these films trace a continuum of courage the spark of realizing you can shape the world with your imagination, and the fire of stepping fully into your creative authority. SHE CREATES SHORTS - LUMINOUS RISING: VOICES IN FORMATION honors the full arc of becoming: the daring to begin, and the discipline to forge a luminous path forward. She Creates Shorts exists to spotlight, support, and accelerate women creatives by providing a professional, high‑energy festival where stories are screened, careers are launched, and real industry connections happen. Approximately 90 min.
Cleveland premiere.
Saturday 1:00 pm
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| This Week
Thu., Oct. 1, 7:00 pm
SHED PROJECTS PRESENTS SHORT CUTS
Updated start time
Free Admission
Thu., Oct. 1, 8:50 pm
Cult Musicals
VOYAGE OF THE ROCK ALIENS
$12/$9
Fri., Oct. 2, 6:45 pm
Speak of the Devil
THE LAST SACRIFCE
Intro by Steven Intermill
$12/$9
Fri., Oct. 2, 8:50 pm
Sat., Oct. 3, 7:10 pm
CRUISING
$12/$9
Sat., Oct. 3, 1:00 pm
SHE CREATES SHORTS - LUMINOUS RISING: VOICES IN FORMATION
$12/$9
Sat., Oct. 3, 3:00 pm
Sat., Oct. 3, 5:00 pm
Sun., Oct. 4, 7:35 pm
THE HISTORY OF CONCRETE
$12/$9
Sun., Oct. 4, 3:00 pm
Sundays with Shearer
THE DIVORCEE
Rare 35mm print
Introduction by Darin Barnes
Post-screening discussion
$14/$11
Sun., Oct. 4, 5:15 pm
COUP 53
$12/$9
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Next Week
FILIPIÑANA
SATAN'S SLAVE
COLOURS OF TIME
ANGEL HEART
MINESHAFT: THE CRUISING MURDERS
virtual Q&A with Jeffrey Schwarz
A FREE SOUL
SHERMAN'S MARCH
SCREAM OF MY BLOOD: A GOGOL BORDELLO STORY
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