Free Summer Movie Nights

May 29

Aleut Story (2005) A true chronicle of the little-known internment of 881 Alaska Natives from the Pribilof and Aleutian Islands during World War II. The documentary is told by Aleut American evacuees and internment survivors themselves. Their voices resonate across time with unflinching accounts of hardship and loss.

June 5

Pioneer Family in Alaska (1979) Homesteader Yule Kilcher (singer Jewel’s grandfather) combined footage from his Homer homestead during the forties and fifties with 1970s scenes of family presenting a picture of rural Alaskan settlers spiced with his personal philosophy.

Alaskan Profiles: Bill Berry (1999) Family and friends reflect on the motivation and contributions of Alaskan wildlife artist Bill Berry.

June 19

Platinum Dreams (2004) Story of the discovery of platinum in Alaska in the 1930s and the development of the mining community of Platinum. The dredge at platinum was operated for forty years until 1975.

June 26

Reindeer Queen: The Story of Sinrock Mary (1991) Covers the life of Sinrock Mary, a major reindeer herder on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska in the late 19th and early 20th century.

Source of Life—Claire Fejes: An Alaskan Artist (2001) The life of Claire Fejes is traced from depression-era Brooklyn to Fairbanks, Alaska and her extended visits to Alaska’s whaling camps and smallest villages. Her work style is discussed and many of her paintings are shown.

July 10

The 49th Star (2006) November 1955 found a diverse group of 55 Alaskans gathered at the University of Alaska crafting a state constitution for the northern territory. The result of their work is looked at as one of the best ever written. Convention delegates and staff reflect on their work those cold winter days a half century earlier that led the movement to statehood. This Emmy Award winning documentary was produced by KUAC public television.

July 17

Call of the Wild (2007) Retraces the travels of Chris McCandless, a 24-year-old traveler who starved to death in an abandoned bus in the Alaska wilderness in 1992. The film uncovers evidence that sheds new light on the case, and directly contradicts both best-selling book and film “Into the Wild”.

July 24

The Far North: A Documentary of Rhiny Berg In the early 1930’s Rhiny Berg, born in Brooklyn, New York and growing up in Upstate New York, made his way to Alaska living a life full of adventures as a prospector and trapper. Those experiences were documented in photographs and film and compiled with narration during his latter years.

July 31

The Odyssey of Captain Healy (1999) From slave to Revenue Cutter Captain, Mike Healy influenced change in Alaska representing the U.S. government and its justice in the Arctic. He charted and patrolled the treacherous waters of the Bering Sea, confronted rum-runners and poachers and foresaw the extermination of marine animals caused by unrestrained harvesting.

Aug. 7

From the First People (1977) Focuses on the ways the people of Shungnak are dealing with the changing conditions in Alaska and coping with the harsh environment as they prepare for their winter subsistence activities.
Portrait of Leadership (1989) Chief Katlain led the Kiksadis in rebellion against the Russians at Sitka earning respect and admiration for his feats. Howard Rock’s early traditional life in Pt. Hope proved to be motivation decades later when he founded the Tundra Times newspaper becoming a powerful force of political activism.

Aug. 14

Boom Times (1977) Program compares the oil pipeline with the old Kennecott Copper Mine at Kennicott, Alaska by contrasting pipeline footage with still photographs of the earlier boom. Workers from both projects are interviewed.

The Pipeliners (1977) Filmed during construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline a variety of workers give personal accounts of work and activities that took place on the project.

June 2

Aging Out (2003) This film follows three young adults as they exit foster care and begin their lives. As the teens face numerous struggles, they find the adaptive skills they have acquired during their years in foster care useful. Directed by Roger Weisberg and Vanessa Roth. 90 minutes.

June 9

Fabulous! The Story of Queer Cinema (2006) A look at the timeline of films by, for, or about gays and lesbians in the United States from “Fireworks” in 1947 to “Brokeback Mountain” in 2005. Includes clips from two-dozen films. Directed by Lisa Ades and Lesli Klainberg. 82 minutes.

June 16

The First Amendment Project (2004) With freedom of speech as its theme, this series of short films offers a snapshot of life at the start of the 21st century. Directed by John Walter, Nick Doob and Chris Hegedus. 67 minutes.

June 23

First Descent (2006) Snowboarding icons Shaun White, Hannah Teter, Terje Haakonsen, Shawn Farmer and Nick Perata come to a place with some of the most dangerous and challenging mountains on the planet–Alaska. Includes jaw-dropping footage as the five embark on a journey of a lifetime. Directed by Kevin Harrison and Kemp Curly. 111 minutes.

June 30

Caddyshack (1980) Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield, Ted Knight and Bill Murray star in this hilarious story about the affairs of an exclusive golf club. Directed by Harold Ramis. 99 minutes.

July 7

Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) King Arthur and his knights’ quest for the Holy Grail while overcoming the many humorous and entertaining obstacles along the way. Directed by Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones. 91 minutes.

July 14

8 femmes (8 Women) (France) (2002) Eight women are held under suspicion after their beloved patriarch has been murdered. One of them is guilty, but who? This drama/musical/comedy includes exquisite costuming along with a great cast. Directed by François Ozon. 111 minutes.

July 21

Grave of the Fireflies (Japan) (1988) Follows two children whose mother was killed in the firebombing of Tokyo near the end of WWII while their father is away, serving in the Imperial Navy. Left with nothing, the two children must use quick thinking and wit in order to survive. Anime. Directed by Isao Takahata. 88 minutes.

July 28

11:14 (2003) Tells the seemingly random yet vitally connected story of a set of incidents that all converge one evening at 11:14 p.m. The story follows the chain of events of five different characters and five different storylines that ultimately converge. Directed by Greg Marcks. 85 minutes.

Aug. 4

Big Fish (2004) Fantastic and unbelievable stories a son relives by trying to learn more about his dying father’s past. Directed by Tim Burton. 125 minutes.

Aug. 11

The Pianist (2002) A true-life story of pianist and composer, Wladyslaw Szpilman, a Polish Jew whose career is interrupted by WWII. Proves to be a powerful film testifying to the power of hope and the will to survive. Directed by Roman Polanski. 150 minutes.

May 27

Cuckoo (Russia, 2002) Dir: Aleksandr Rogozhkin

June 3

Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears (Soviet Union, 1980) Dir: Vladimir Menshov

June 10

Pan’s Labyrinth (Mexico/Spain/USA, 2006) Dir: Guillermo del Toro

June 17

Volver (Spain, 2006) Dir: Pedro Almodóvar

June 24

Twilight Samurai (Japan, 2002) Dir: Yôji Yamada

July 1

Shall We Dance? (Japan, 1996) Dir: Masayuki Suo