Bleak Week

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This February for Black History Month, we'll be celebrating the work of Spike Lee with a 3-film mini-series on Thursday evenings, starting February 13: Do the Right Thing (Feb. 13), Malcolm X (Feb. 20), and BlacKKKlansman (Feb. 27).

As Lee is one of the finest and most innovative American directors–with an unflinching voice and long and varied career, each of his films speaking to his bold, inimitable style–any miniseries cannot hope to do justice to his oeuvre. But we are highlighting three of his films that have been recognized as milestones of American cinema and that speak powerfully into our political and cultural moment in 2025.

We are also delighted to welcome back to the Pickford Spike Lee connoisseur and scholar Brandon David Wilson, who will be offering us virtual introductions to each of the films:

SPECIAL GUEST

Brandon David Wilson is a filmmaker, writer, and educator. Born and raised in Los Angeles, he attended UCLA where he took a B.A. in African-American Studies and an M.F.A from UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television. In 2005 he made his feature debut, The Man Who Couldn’t, which opened at the 2005 Pan-African Film Festival and which won the Oscar
Micheaux Award at the Bare Bones Film Festival in Oklahoma. His second feature, Sepulveda, world premiered in New York City at the 2016 Urban World Film Festival. Brandon is a regular contributor to Roger Ebert .com. Brandon also curated and introduced two film series for the Pickford Film Center, "Shock and Awe: The Films of the Dubya Years" and “The X-Generation: The Indie Films of Gen-X African Americans," the latter of which he later wrote a piece about for Roger Ebert .com. Brandon has taught film studies courses at UCLA, Glendale Community College, Los Angeles Valley College, NYU’s Los Angeles Branch, Long Beach City College, and Whatcom Community College. He also currently teaches high school film studies in Watts.

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about bleak week: cinema of despair

Presented in partnership with the American Cinematheque, 'bleak week: cinema of despair' is an annual film festival showcasing some of the greatest works of cinema from across the globe that venture into the darkest sides of humanity and the bleakest points in human history.The fifth annual edition in June 2026 expands to nearly 100 theaters across the U.S., Canada, U.K. and South and Central America, with each venue presenting its own original curated lineup of uncompromising films defined by unpleasant truths and raw empathy.

NO RED PASSES FOR WEEKEND AND EVENING SHOWTIMES

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A SERIOUS MAN — Friday, June 5, with introductions from actor Richard Kind and film professor Brandon Wilson

WERKMEISTER HARMONIES — Saturday, June 6 (encore Monday, June 8), with an evening introduction from Professor Eren Odabasi

WENDY AND LUCY — Sunday, June 7, with film introduction

SAFE — Monday, June 8 (encore Wednesday, June 10), with a post-film Q&A with actor, Xander Berkeley

BRAZIL — Tuesday, June 9, with introductions and post-film discussions with filmmaker, Alexandre O. Phillipe

BLOW OUT — Wednesday, June 10 (encore Thursday, June 11) with film introduction

THE DEER HUNTER — Thursday, June 11, featuring American Cinematheque programmer, James Branscome and an evening introduction from professor Jamie Rodgers

Film Descriptions with Guests

A Serious Man — Friday, June 5, with introductions from actor Richard Kind and film professor Brandon Wilson

Werckmeister Harmonies — Saturday, June 6 (encore Monday, June 8), with an evening introduction from Professor Eren Odabasi

Wendy and Lucy — Sunday, June 7, with film introduction

Safe — Monday, June 8 (encore Wednesday, June 10), with a post-film Q&A with actor Xander Berkeley

Brazil — Tuesday, June 9, with introductions and post-film discussions with filmmaker Alexandre O. Philippe

Blow Out — Wednesday, June 10 (encore Thursday, June 11) With film introduction

The Deer Hunter — Thursday, June 11, featuring American Cinematheque programmer James Branscome and an evening introduction from professor Jamie Rodgers