Film Venues Archives: Gene Siskel Film Center

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Shorts 2: Animation – Desires

  Argentina, Belgium, France, Hungary, Israel, Mexico, The Netherlands, United States     76 minutes

Synopsis

These animated shorts create an idiosyncratic mosaic of the difficulties, joys, enigmas, and triumphs of the human experience. Featuring works by Nienke Deutz, Osman Cerfon, Patricio Plaza, Flóra Anna Buda, Tzor Edery, Tom Prezman, Vishavjit Singh, and Ryan Westra.

The Miracle (Belgium, The Netherlands, France) is a hotel where Irma, a 40-year-old woman surrounded by families, tries to find comfort in her solitary life. Children display varied emotions with a singular expression in Aaaah! (France). An ailing priest in the Mexican colonial era is given a medicine that confronts him with his spiritual ailments in Carne de Dios (Argentina, Mexico). On the day that Alice turns 27 (France, Hungary), a drunken accident makes her question the choices she has made in her life thus far. Remembrances of a former drag queen’s experience in one of the first queer bars in Paris are imaginatively told in Maurice’s Bar (France, Israel). Based on true events, American Sikh (U.S.) tells the story of a courageous man in post-9/11 New York City who faced prejudice and racism with humor and heroism.

 Arabic, Dutch, English, French, Hungarian, Spanish with subtitles 

Content Considerations
Nudity, Sex, Drug Use, Strong Language, Racist and Homophobic Language, Violence, Bullying
Learn about Festival content considerations...

Screenings & Events

In-Person Screening

Mon, Oct 16 @ 5:45pm CDT

at AMC NEWCITY, Screen 5

In-Person Screening

Thu, Oct 19 @ 3:30pm CDT

at Siskel Center, Screen 2

Virtual Screening

This program will be available to stream from October 16 at 12:00pm CT to October 22 at 11:59pm CDT.

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Shorts 6: Comedy – Awkward Laughs

  Canada, Chile, Iran, United States     96 minutes

Synopsis

The works in this program muck around the dark corners of human experience, bringing forth the darkly comedic, can’t-help-but-laugh moments that arise in difficult times. Featuring works by Daniel Sinclair, Malia Ann, Azadeh Navai, Lou Marino, Peter Collins Campbell, and Éric K. Boulianne.

A surprise interruption during a fruitless therapy session brings a married couple closer than they thought possible in the hilarious The Breakthrough (U.S.). A lonely man is perplexed when his mother passes away and leaves him with her heart in a jar in the beautifully tender The Heart (U.S.). The endlessly charming Rizoo (Iran, U.S.) follows a rebellious 8-year-old who recently moved back to Tehran from the United States as she navigates familial and societal expectations. An intimate and endearing work of docu-fiction, Geranios (Chile) follows best friends whose effortless charisma and fierce dedication carries them through tough times. In the delightfully idiosyncratic Variations on a Theme (U.S.), a couple starts literally splitting into multiple versions of themselves. The ups and downs of a couple’s journey trying to get pregnant are humorously and compassionately explored in Making Babies (Canada).

 English, French, Persian, Spanish with subtitles 

Content Considerations
Strong Language, Nudity, Sexual Situations, Violence
Learn about Festival content considerations...

Screenings & Events

In-Person Screening

Fri, Oct 13 @ 7:45pm CDT

at Siskel Center, Screen 2

In-Person Screening

Sun, Oct 22 @ 4:15pm CDT

at AMC NEWCITY, Screen 5

Virtual Screening

This program will be available to stream from October 16 at 12:00pm CT to October 22 at 11:59pm CDT.

Sponsors

Film Supporters

Logo: Canada 313x100

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Shorts 5: Drama – Breaking Points

  Argentina, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Egypt, France, Qatar, Switzerland, Turkey     95 minutes

Synopsis

These powerful shorts reflect on life’s twists and turns, exploring what we do in moments of profound impact. Featuring works by Valeria Hofmann, Kasım Ördek, Anya Chirkova, Meran Ismailsoy, Jorge Cadena, and Morad Mostafa.

A gamer reveals the sexist harassment and threats she receives from online trolls and finds they infiltrate more than just her computer in the tense thriller AliEN0089 (Chile, Argentina). A young couple is brought to a breaking point when their lifestyle of stealing cars goes too far in Together, Alone (Turkey, France). An Iranian immigrant enlists his son’s help to negotiate with his landlord with both disastrous and humorous results in Baba (Canada). In Flores del otro Patio (Colombia, Switzerland), a group of queer activists in the north of Colombia uses fearless performance art and direct action to protest the region’s largest coal mine. In the aftermath of a violent incident, a 17-year-old must do all he can to protect his family before it’s too late in the stunning and impactful I Promise You Paradise (Egypt, France, Qatar).

 Arabic, English, Persian, Spanish, Turkish with subtitles 

Screenings & Events

In-Person Screening

Sun, Oct 15 @ 1:00pm CDT

at Siskel Center, Screen 2

In-Person Screening

Fri, Oct 20 @ 3:30pm CDT

at Siskel Center, Screen 2

Virtual Screening

This program will be available to stream from October 16 at 12:00pm CT to October 22 at 11:59pm CDT.

Sponsors

Film Supporters

Logo: Canada 313x100

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Shorts 3: After Dark – Twisted Tales & Shadows of Innocence

  Canada, France, United States     89 minutes

Synopsis

These tense and terrifying shorts reflect how everyday life can turn into horror. Featuring works by Joséphine Darcy Hopkins, Olivia Loccisano, Stephanie Izsak, Kristine Gerolaga, Daphne Gardner, and Michael Gabriele.

Sweet Tooth (France) follows a game among children that grows increasingly out of control. After having her first period, a young girl goes through an unexpected transformation in First Blood (Canada). A teen girl discovers a new way to keep up with toxic beauty standards, but things don’t go as planned in Consumer (Canada). In Mosquito Lady (U.S.), a pregnant teen girl tries to get an abortion despite the objections of her conservative parents, forcing her into an unconventional and horrific experience. In the Flesh (U.S.) finds Tracey pleasuring herself in the shower when the pipes explode and she starts to leak black goo. In Get Away (U.S.), a group of friends rents a remote house in the desert. There, they find an old TV, a VHS player, and a tape containing terrifying coincidences.

 English, French, Tagalog with subtitles 

Content Considerations
Nudity, Strong Language, Body Horror, Adult Themes, Adult Situations, and Violence.
Learn about Festival content considerations...

Screenings & Events

In-Person Screening

Fri, Oct 20 @ 10:30pm CDT

at AMC NEWCITY, Screen 4

In-Person Screening

Sat, Oct 21 @ 12:15pm CDT

at Siskel Center, Screen 2

Virtual Screening

This program will be available to stream from October 16 at 12:00pm CT to October 22 at 11:59pm CDT.

Sponsors

Film Supporters

Logo: Canada 313x100

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Black Perspectives Special Program – Beyond the Frame

  United States     52 minutes

Synopsis

This suite of films explores the fusion of the natural world and cultural narratives, as well as the limitless possibilities of creative expression and transcending convention. Featuring works by Bronzeville Collective and Claude-Aline T Nazaire-Miller.

The community-made collage Chronicle of a Summer Day (U.S.) offers a poetic glimpse into John Caleb Pendleton’s Juneteenth floral installation of remembrance and celebration. Artist Nick Cave prepares for a career-spanning exhibition and a groundbreaking fashion performance celebrating gender identity in 376 Days (Nick Cave: Keep it Movin’) (U.S.).

  

 English 

Content Considerations
Strong language
Learn about Festival content considerations...

Screenings & Events

In-Person Screening

Wed, Oct 18 @ 6:00pm CDT

at Siskel Center, Screen 1

In-Person Screening

Sun, Oct 22 @ 3:30pm CDT

at Chicago History Museum