Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair

Some of the greatest films from around the world, exploring the darkest sides of humanity.

The American Cinematheque is thrilled to present a weeklong festival that spotlights some of the greatest films from around the world that explore the darkest sides of humanity, as well as some of the bleakest points in human history. A harrowing, yet powerful lineup of films defined by stark imagery, unimaginable tragedies, existential fear, nihilism and shocking acts of brutality, this series features the world’s leading filmmakers who wholly embrace a cinema of despair in pursuit of unpleasant truths and raw empathy.

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The Piano Teacher

A young man romantically pursues his masochistic piano teacher.