Going Retro with ‘The 1999 in Film Series: A Tribute to One of Cinema’s Greatest Years’

Bethlehem, PA, January 11, 2024- ArtsQuest announces an exciting cinematic journey back in time with ‘The 1999 in Film Series: A Tribute to One of Cinema’s Greatest Years.’ This unique event promises to immerse audiences in the magic of 1999, a year celebrated for its groundbreaking and iconic films.

The series, being shown at The Frank Banko Alehouse Cinema, will feature a carefully curated selection of films that left an indelible mark on the world of cinema. From timeless classics to revolutionary blockbusters, ‘The 1999 in Film Series’ invites moviegoers to travel back to 1999 and celebrate the 25th anniversary of one of cinema’s most remarkable years. Showcasing a wide spectrum of cinematic treasures, from iconic blockbusters to engrossing international sensations to cherished indie darlings, this series embodies a celebration of the diverse film terrain of this extraordinary year.

“99 gave us a year of intersecting films that influenced cinema far past the calendar’s turn,” commented Lauren and Ryan Tocci of the How Could You?! Podcast. “We saw the early stages of many of our greatest filmmakers and the final bow of one legendary director. Few years in the theater had as big an impact, and we can’t wait to revisit them after 25 years.”

The 1999 Film Series includes select screenings curated by Ryan and Lauren Tocci of the How Could You?! Podcast, in addition to featuring titles included in other year-round series such as our free curated series Cinema Significa… and Fem in Film. The lineup below also denotes if a film is part of another specific series or is a title curated by How Could You?! Podcast.

• Jan. 17, 2024, at 7 p.m. – The Virgin Suicides – R-Rated – An adaptation of Jeffrey Eugenides’s highly acclaimed first novel, this film conjures the ineffable melancholy of teenage longing and ennui in its story of the suicides of the five Lisbon sisters, stifled by the rules of their overprotective religious parents. This film is also part of the Fem in Film Series.

• Feb. 3, 2024, at 9:45 p.m. – Audition – R-rated – One of the most infamous, impactful and gut-wrenching Japanese horror films ever made, this film is about a recent widower and movie producer is looking for a new wife but instead of going the usual route, he decides to hold ‘auditions’ for a movie that doesn’t exist. This film is also part of the First Saturday Horror Series, also curated by Lauren and Ryan Tocci.

• March 21, 2024, at 7:15 p.m. – The Matrix– R-rated – This film is a 1999 science fiction action-filled and mind-bending journey that challenges the boundaries of perception and reality. This iconic film directed by Lana and Lily Wachowski has left an indelible mark on pop culture, reshaping the science fiction landscape and setting a new standard for cinematic storytelling. This film is curated by the How Could You?! Podcast.

• March 30, 2024, at 9:45 p.m. – eXistenZ – R-rated – David Cronenberg’s spiritual sequel to VIDEODROME, in the near future, game designer Allegra Geller has revolutionized virtual reality gaming with a device that plugs directly into the player’s spine, allowing them to enter into an unpredictable simulated world.   

• April 10, 2024, at 7:15 p.m. – Man on the Moon– R-rated – This film is a biographical comedy-drama film about the late American entertainer Andy Kaufman, played by Jim Carrey. As the enigmatic comedian pushes the boundaries of reality with his alter ego, Tony Clifton, the film captures the highs and lows of Kaufman’s career, exploring the fine line between genius and madness. This film is curated by the How Could You?! Podcast.

• April 20, 2024, at 9:45 p.m. – Being John Malkovich – R-rated – This film is a thought-provoking and whimsical journey that defies conventional storytelling, inviting viewers into a realm where the boundaries of reality and fantasy collide in the most unexpected ways. Being John Malkovich is also the feature film debut of director Spike Jonze and screenwriter Charlie Kaufman. This film is curated by the How Could You?! Podcast.

• May 2, 2024, at 7 p.m. – All About My Mother– R-rated – This Oscar-winning melodrama from Pedro Almodóvar provides a dizzying, moving exploration of the meaning of motherhood. This film is a FREE Screening, also part of the Cinema Significa Series, and is presented in Spanish, Catalan, and English with English subtitles.

• May 23, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. – She’s All That – PG-13-rated – This film is an American teen romantic comedy film and a feel-good throwback that explores the enduring themes of love, acceptance, and the surprises that come when you least expect them. This film is curated by the How Could You?! Podcast.

Ticket prices for ‘The 1999 in Film Series: A Tribute to One of Cinema’s Greatest Years’ is $11 for adults, $8.50 for ages 25 and under & seniors and $7.50 for ArtsQuest Members unless otherwise noted above. For additional information, including added titles in the 1999 Film Series, and to purchase tickets, please visit SteelStacks.org.

Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the nostalgia and brilliance of 1999’s cinematic achievements on the big screen.

About ArtsQuest 
ArtsQuest’s mission is to provide access to exceptional artistic, cultural and educational experiences using arts and culture as key elements of economic development for our urban communities. ArtsQuest™ supports this mission via the presentation of performing and visual arts, film, arts education classes and outreach, youth programming and cultural events. Through festivals such as its flagship event, Musikfest; the Banana Factory Arts Center; and the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks arts and cultural campus, ArtsQuest’s programming reaches more than 1.9 million people annually. The organization’s programs and events, of which over 50% are free to attend, have a combined economic impact of more than $136 million annually in the region.