The Childhood of a Leader

press release:

FRI., 9/30, 7 p.m. THE CHILDHOOD OF A LEADER: UK, France, Hungary | 2015 | DCP | 115 min. | English and French with English subtitles

Director: Brady Corbet; Cast: Robert Pattinson, Liam Cunningham, Bérénice Bejo

France, 1918. A powerful American family faces down a rival from within—the mounting rebellion of their young son. Enigmatic and enthralling, this ominous portrait of a budding tyrant boldly melds historical drama and bad-seed horror with visionary art cinema. Sumptuously photographed on 35mm and propelled by an effectively pugnacious score by avant-pop godhead Scott Walker, The Childhood of a Leader is an undeniable aesthetic powerhouse.  First-time director Brady Corbet won Best Debut Film and Best Director at the 2015 Venice Film Festival.

Premiere Showcase is the Cinematheque’s effort to bring the boldest and most exciting new cinema back to the big screen. Crafted with the same curat­orial acuity we bring to our repertory series, Premiere Showcase presents exciting new work by contem­porary directors that would otherwise have no theatrical venue in the area. Our selections for Fall 2016 begin with two highly acclaimed indies that made their debuts at the Sundance Film Festival in January: the political documentary Weiner and Todd Solondz’ latest, Wiener-Dog. You’ll also see Brady Corbet’s Venice prize-winner The Childhood of a Leader and edgier fare like Roberto Minervini’s exploration of the Louisiana backwoods, The Other Side, and master collagist Lewis Klahr’s acclaimed compilation movie, Sixty Six.