Summer of Cinema in Aspen

Continuing through July and into August, the second summer cinema series is part of the lead-in celebrations to the 40th Anniversary of both the organization and Aspen Film’s Filmfest which will take place from Sept. 23-29, 2019

Taking place at a number of venues in both Aspen and neighboring Snowmass, the interesting program has several sections including a partnership with the Aspen Music Festival and School (AMFS) which will see a series of Americana films tie in with the school’s “Being American” theme for 2019. There is also a monthly indie showcase in conjunction with Metropolitan Theatres, and there is Movies at the Museum in conjunction with the Aspen Art Museum (AAM). This year will also see the Eisner/ Lauder New Views Documentary Series, a collaboration with the Aspen Institute’s Arts Program, reinstated. 

New for this year is Movies Under the Stars, a collaboration with The Collective at Snowmass Base Village that will offer film fans the chance to enjoy an alfresco movie courtesy of Colorado's cool and dry summer evenings. Screenings begin at dusk and are free and open to the public.

A few of the remaining presentations that caught our eye include:  

From the INDIE SHOWCASE

August 7, 7:30pm - FRAMING: JOHN DELOREAN (directed by Don Argott, Sheena M. Joyce):

Who was the real John DeLorean? To some, he was a renegade visionary who revolutionized

the automobile industry. To others, he was the ultimate con man.

MOVIES UNDER THE STARS

July 6 - E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL (1982, directed by Steven Spielberg): A troubled child

summons the courage to help a friendly alien escape Earth and return to his home world.

July 27 - THE GREAT OUTDOORS (1988, directed by Howard Deutch, starring Dan Aykroyd,

John Candy): A Chicago man's hope for a peaceful family vacation in the woods is shattered

when the annoying in-laws drop in.

August 3 - THE PRINCESS BRIDE (1987, directed by Rob Reiner): While home sick in bed, a

young boy's grandfather reads him the story of a farm boy-turned-pirate who encounters

numerous obstacles, enemies and allies in his quest to be reunited with his true love.

Aspen Film + Town of Snowmass Present: Friday on the Mall

STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE (1977, directed by George Lucas)

Fanny Hill at Snowmass - 120 Carriage Way | Snowmass Village, CO

Screening begins at dusk and is FREE to the public.

July 12 - Nineteen years after the formation of the Empire, Luke Skywalker is thrust into the

struggle of the Rebel Alliance when he meets Obi-Wan Kenobi, who has lived for years in

seclusion on the desert planet of Tatooine. Obi-Wan begins Luke’s Jedi training as Luke joins

him on a daring mission to rescue the beautiful Rebel leader Princess Leia from the clutches of the evil Empire. And after Obi-Wan sacrifices himself in a lightsaber duel with his former

apprentice, Darth Vader, Luke proves that the Force is with him bye destroying the Empire’s

dreaded Death Star.

Aspen Film + Aspen Music Festival and School Present: “BEING AMERICAN” AMERICANA SCREENINGS

Metropolitan’s Isis Theatre - 406 E Hopkins Ave | Aspen, CO

$15 for Aspen Film and AMFS National Council members, $20 GA

July 29, 7:30pm - WEST SIDE STORY (1961, directed by Jerome Robbins & Robert Wise): Two

youngsters from rival New York City gangs fall in love, but tensions between their respective

friends build toward tragedy. The soaring score, written by Leonard Bernstein, will also be

performed as an orchestral suite by the Aspen Chamber Symphony on July 26 at the Benedict

Music Tent.

August 12, 7:30pm - SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN (1952, directed by Stanley Donen, Gene Kelly): A

silent film production company and cast make a difficult transition to sound.

Aspen Film + Aspen Art Museum Present: MOVIES AT THE MUSEUM.

Screenings are FREE and open to the public.

July 26, 8pm - ROMEO + JULIET (1996, directed by Baz Luhrmann, starring Claire Danes,

Leonardo DiCaprio): Shakespeare's famous play is updated to the hip modern suburb of Verona still retaining its original dialogue.

August 21, 8pm - NATIVE SON (2019, directed by Rashid Johnson): A young African-American

living in Chicago enters into a seductive new world of money and power after he is hired as a

chauffeur for an affluent businessman.

For the full program, visit aspenfilm.org.