Now Playing
Palimpsest: The Story of a Name
Drawing on home movies and diaries from the 1930s, 40s, 50s and 60s, Canadian filmmaker Mary Stephen (Eric Rohmer's editor for many years) investigates the origins of her surname. After all, she was born in Hong Kong to Chinese parents. Or were they... ?
Rushmore
Precocious Max Fischer (Jason Schwartzman) is befriended by depressed industrialist Harold Blume (Bill Murray) until they both fall in love with first grade teacher Miss Cross (Olivia Williams). Anderson's second feature is an old favourite.
Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World
Sasha Waters' documentary takes us through the life of America's best-selling late twentieth century poet, a private woman who shared her innermost thoughts and made them indispensable.
Saving Private Ryan
Steven Spielberg's gripping war movie was hailed as an instant classic in 1998, and he won his second Academy Award in five years for Best Director. Matt Damon takes the title role, Tom Hanks is charged with bringing him home from the front.
Buffalo '66
Vincent Gallo's directorial debut is an eccentric, provocative comedy which laces a poignant love story with both a sombre, washed-out naturalism and surreal musical vignettes. This one is something different...
90s, Baby!
Jun 19 – Aug 31
Ten years. 11 weeks. 90 films from the 1990s.
This summer VIFF takes a deep dive into a defining decade for the movies. The 1990s was a period of exciting innovation and increasing diversity. Our series proceeds chronologically through the summer — one week = one year.
90s, Baby! maps out the arc of the decade, hitting the most important cinematic landmarks, from blockbusters and milestone films to smaller cult films that continue to inspire and provoke.
Explore 90s, Baby! one year at a time.
Pantheon: The Greatest Films of All Time
Pantheon is a monthly series showcasing a selection of the “greatest movies of all time,” inspired by the mother of all film lists, the critics’ poll that has run once a decade in the UK’s Sight & Sound magazine since 1952.
Individual tickets $23
Xala
Aug 16
Ousmane Sembène is known as the “father of African cinema”. An adaptation of his own 1973 novel, Xala is a hilarious, caustic satire of political corruption under an inept post-colonial patriarchy.
Talking Pictures
Created for film lovers 55+ (but open to anyone), the Talking Pictures series offers films, refreshments and an open invitation to chat about our shared experience of the movie.
Tickets are just $12. Bring a buddy and get two for $20!
Diane
Aug 25
This month’s Talking Pictures screening is a sympathetic, nuanced portrait of a kindly, generous widow (Mary Kay Place) whose son is an addict. Stay for a coffee, cookies, and a chat.
VIFF Collection
The VIFF Collection is a unique and essential initiative that features early work by the next wave of leading Western Canadian storytellers. This permanent exhibition presents a unique opportunity for the public to enjoy free access to these works and enhance their appreciation of short forum storytelling.
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