West Newton Cinema

Welcome to the world of Minecraft, where creativity doesn’t just help you craft, it’s essential to one’s survival! Four misfits—Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison (Momoa), Henry (Hansen), Natalie (Myers) and Dawn (Brooks)—find themselves struggling with ordinary problems when they are suddenly pulled through a mysterious portal into the Overworld: a bizarre, cubic wonderland that thrives on imagination. To get back home, they’ll have to master this world (and protect it from evil things like Piglins and Zombies, too) while embarking on a magical quest with an unexpected, expert crafter, Steve (Black). Together, their adventure will challenge all five to be bold and to reconnect with the qualities that make each of them uniquely creative…the very skills they need to thrive back in the real world.

2024 | Lebanon & United States | 85 MIN DIRECTOR: Patrick Hasso Kohl CATEGORY: DOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILM NORTH AMERICAN EAST COAST PREMIERE OPENING NIGHT FEATURE PRESENTATION In-Person Cinema Screening w/English Subtitles Special Video Introduction by Director Patrick Khol. -- Filmed over the course of four years, Beirut Forever documents the lives of four remarkable refugees navigating the complexities of life in Beirut, Lebanon. The film follows their poignant journeys as they flee from their homes in search of safety and a brighter future while exploring themes of resilience, identity, and the human spirit's indomitable quest for hope. As the characters grapple with their realities, viewers witness the heart-wrenching struggles and inspiring triumphs of those caught in circumstances beyond their control. With the country serving both as a sanctuary and a prison, this documentary invites audiences on a transformative journey filled with empathy, compassion, and an urgent call for understanding.

From director Edward Berger (All Quiet on the Western Front) CONCLAVE follows one of the world’s most secretive and ancient events – selecting a new Pope. Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) is tasked with running this covert process after the unexpected death of the beloved Pope. Once the Catholic Church’s most powerful leaders have gathered from around the world and are locked together in the Vatican halls, Lawrence finds himself at the center of a conspiracy and discovers a secret that could shake the very foundation of The Church.

Film will be followed by a conversation with Director, Peter Miller Marcella Hazan changed how we cook and experience Italian food. A disabled woman trained as a scientist, Marcella never cooked until she immigrated to America. But through her cookbooks and teaching — and an uncompromising commitment to Italian tradition — her impact was felt in millions of American home kitchens. The story of Marcella’s extraordinary life is told by friends, family, and culinary stars including Jacques Pépin, Danny Meyer, April Bloomfield, Lidia Bastianich, her son Giuliano Hazan, and her husband and writing partner, Victor Hazan.

2024 | China & USA | 76 MIN | DIRECTOR: Yi Chen CATEGORY: DOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILM NEW ENGLAND PREMIERE In-Person Cinema Screening w/English Subtitles Special Video Introduction by Director Yi Chen. __ An artist's sculpture is burnt down, a protester is charged with a criminal case, and a democracy movement is violently attacked. Not even exile is safe. In the United States, three Chinese dissidents fight for democracy against a superpower through art, petition, and grassroots organizing. Combining intimate observational footage, rich archival materials and investigative approach, the film uncovers transnational repression by an authoritarian state targeting dissidents who are keeping the democratic flame alive during the darkest hours.

2024 | Latvia | 77 MIN | DIRECTOR: Ivars Zviedris CATEGORY: DOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILM NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE SHOWTIMES: Saturday, May 17. 2025 | 4:00 PM | In-Person Cinema Screening w/English Subtitles Q&A with Director Ivars Zviedris and Editor Haralds Ozols following the screening of the film __ A tragicomic story about a couple’s 24-year long relationship, which has grown into co-dependence and is maintained only out of necessity. They face the final relationship challenge when one of them falls ill and the other has to decide - to finally become free or remain faithful until death? The film examines the struggles of individuals whose relationships have withered over time, yet who must endure living together due to economic constraints. At the heart of this story is Mara, a woman who has had several husbands. One tragically deceased, the other died otherwise. Her last companion, Ivars, whom she never officially married, became her partner for 24 years. Though their relationship had long lost its spark, they remained bound together by the need to survive.

THE CONGRESS 2024 | Indonesia | 11 MIN DIRECTOR: Eko Krisna CATEGORY: DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM NORTH AMERICAN EAST COAST PREMIERE Presented as part of Documentary Shorts Program with special video introduction by Director. Indonesian activist, Rukka Sombolinggi believes the key to confronting the climate crisis is to unite and mobilize the Indigenous communities who are often impacted the most. Now, as the first female general secretary of the world’s largest Indigenous Peoples organization, she has the power to do just that. But the challenge is monumental. This is a story about the democratic process, defiance and dignity in the face of climate catastrophe. -- FIERRO 2024 | United States | 29 MIN DIRECTOR: Edward Tyndall CATEGORY: DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM NEW ENGLAND PREMIERE Presented as part of Documentary Shorts Program with special video introduction by Director Edward Tyndall. Richard Fierro, the Army veteran credited with stopping the Club Q mass shooter, recounts the life experiences that led up to his heroic actions. Fierro’s bold insights on diversity, courage, and unity remind us what it takes to make America a beacon of hope for all. The film examines the collision of violence and compassion in the human heart, and how different people choose to express that eternal struggle, especially those that have sacrificed so much in our name. -- BURNING IN GALENA MANOR 2024 | USA | 23 MIN DIRECTOR: Christopher LaMark CATEGORY: DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM NEW ENGLAND PREMIERE Presented as part of Documentary Shorts Program with special video introduction by Director Christopher LaMark. Burning in Galena Manor documents the true story of Milton Alford who, in 1955 became the city of Houston's first African American fire fighter. The film reminds us of individuals who had the courage to stand up and be the first to do something. Black or white, male or female, young or old; we all need these types of stories in our lives. Mr. Alford’s example of bravery is one that can be followed and passed down from generation to generation with impacts that will last a lifetime.

2024 | Germany, Albania, USA | 87 MIN | DIRECTOR: Kristine Nrecaj & Birthe Templin CATEGORY: DOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILM NORTH AMERICAN EAST COAST PREMIERE In-Person Cinema Screening w/English Subtitles Special Video Introduction by Directors Kristine Nrecaj & Birthe Templin. __ HOUSE WITH A VOICE tells the story of six Burrneshas who, for different reasons, have decided to take on the social role of men. They have done this to circumvent patriarchal structures, to avoid misogynistic attacks, to support the family economically, to avoid compelled marriage and to be free. Our characters communicate with us intimately as they talk about their lives and bring us closely into their personal journey. They speak about freedom and oppression, about the promise of sacrificing their lives for the sake of their families’ survival. But also about the breaking of gender barriers and the power of the human mind to decide who we want to be. The film turns stereotypes and projections of gender discussions upside down.

2024 | Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, Japan | 80 MIN DIRECTOR: Klára Tasovská CATEGORY: DOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILM MASSACHUSETTS PREMIERE Special Video Introduction by Director Klara Tosovska. __ After the Soviet invasion of Prague, a young female photographer strives to break free from the constraints of Czechoslovak normalization and embarks on a wild journey towards freedom, capturing her experiences on thousands of subjective photographs. “This film is as much a tribute to the artistic process and curiosities of a photographer as it is a revealing portrait of her existence, forming an unconventional but deeply moving coming-of-age story.”

2024 | Chile, France, Germany, Korea, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland | 90MIN DIRECTOR: Christine Tournadre & Sonia Gonzalez CATEGORY: DOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILM NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE Cinema Screening w/English Subtitles Special Video Introduction by Director Christine Tournadre. __ Over the past sixty years, over a million ‘orphans’ were adopted by Western families from around the world. Now many are discovering their past was a lie. From the children who were stolen from their mothers during the Pinochet dictatorship, to Africa’s fake orphans, international adoption is at the heart of an unprecedented scandal. We join investigative journalists, activists and researchers in South Korea, Sweden, France, Chile, Germany, Holland and Switzerland. How did this colossal, lucrative market manage to prosper? And why does it live on today?

“Lilo & Stitch,” the wildly funny and touching story of a lonely Hawaiian girl and the fugitive alien who helps to mend her broken family, will open exclusively in theaters May 23, 2025. A live-action reimagining of Disney’s 2002 animated classic, “Lilo & Stitch” is directed by Dean Fleischer Camp, the Oscar®-nominated filmmaker behind the animated feature film “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On,” and stars Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Billy Magnussen, Tia Carrere, Hannah Waddingham, Chris Sanders, with Courtney B. Vance, and Zach Galifianakis, and introducing Maia Kealoha. The screenplay is by Chris Kekaniokalani Bright and Mike Van Waes, and the film is produced by Jonathan Eirich, p.g.a. and Dan Lin, with Tom Peitzman, Ryan Halprin, Louie Provost, Thomas Schumacher serving as executive producers.

Marcella Hazan changed how we cook and experience Italian food. A disabled woman trained as a scientist, Marcella never cooked until she immigrated to America. But through her cookbooks and teaching — and an uncompromising commitment to Italian tradition — her impact was felt in millions of American home kitchens. The story of Marcella’s extraordinary life is told by friends, family, and culinary stars including Jacques Pépin, Danny Meyer, April Bloomfield, Lidia Bastianich, her son Giuliano Hazan, and her husband and writing partner, Victor Hazan.

Our lives are the sum of our choices. Tom Cruise is Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.

Presented W/ Short Film MY LAND IS BURNED -- MY MEMORY IS FULL OF GHOSTS 2024 | Syrian Arab Republi | 74MIN | DIRECTOR: Anas Zawahri CATEGORY: DOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILM NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE A visual elegy depicting life amidst the destruction and disfigurement that befell the city of Homs during the Syrian war. It explores the intersection of reality between the past and the present, and contemplates the future. It thus portrays a self-portrait of the weary people and their relentless efforts to resume their regular lives. It also explores the city’s memories, documenting experiences with death, fear, anger, sadness, loss, and longing. -- MY LAND IS BURNED 2024 | Lebanon & Belgium | 30 MIN DIRECTOR: Abdulrahman Alshowaiki CATEGORY: DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE In Arsal, Lebanon, ‘My Land is Burned’ unveils the myriad challenges facing Syrian refugee children and their families. Beyond the struggles, silent acts of hope by a compassionate teacher echo an ambitious desire for a brighter, happier generation. A deeply personal narrative—a story of resilience, hope, and shared humanity that transcends borders. His works stand as a testament to film’s ability to bridge cultures, fostering empathy and understanding in a world often divided.

Each month, Ty Burr, former Boston Globe film critic and Pulitzer Prize finalist, presents a handpicked film screening followed by an interactive group discussion. Join us on Wednersday, May 14th as he presents "No" What if you could vote on a referendum to get rid of a dictator? Sounds too good to be true? It happened in Chile in 1988. Pablo Larraín’s “No” is the story of how one apolitical ad man (Gael Garcia Bernal) came up with a campaign to convince his countrymen to vote “no” on General Augusto Pinochet’s continued rule. Larraín (best known for his “great ladies” trilogy of “Jackie,” “Spencer” and “Maria”) delivers an acid-etched dramatic satire in which happy images of a dictator-free future win out over reminders of the dark past, with Bernal’s character selling democracy the way the Mad Men sold Lucky Strikes in the 1960s. Oscar-nominated for best foreign language film in 2013, “No” is a valuable and timely reminder of the power of Yes in changing the world.

A violent gangster seeks refuge from the mob in the Bohemian home of a former rock star.

2024 | Congo | 95 MIN DIRECTOR: Nelson Makengo CATEGORY: DOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILM NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE __ After an election that has shaken its already precarious political and economic stability, DR Congo is trying to revive its project to build Africa’s largest power plant on the Congo River. Kinshasa, the capital, remains in darkness while its population struggles for access to light. Rising Up at Night subtly portrays a population that is reinventing itself in spite of everything, in an environment plagued by the violence and beauty of Kinshasa’s nights and the uncertainty of the next day.

In 2003, eight young Rhode Islanders created a secret apartment in a hidden space inside the Providence Place Mall and lived in it for four years, filming everything along the way. They snuck in furniture, tapped into the mall's electricity, and even secretly constructed a brick wall with a locking door, smuggling in over 2 tons of cinderblock. Far more than just a wild prank, the secret apartment became a deeply meaningful place for all its inhabitants - a personal expression of defiance against local gentrification, a boundary-pushing work of public/private art, a clubhouse to coordinate their artistic charity, and finally, a 750 square foot space that sticks it to the man.

Film will be followed by a Q&A with Director Allie Humenuk and artist Abelardo Morell “Things are not always what they appear to be,” says Cuban American photographer Abelardo Morell. Shadow of the House peers into his past and around the corners of his present to see what normally goes unseen. This film is a rare look into the life of one of America’s renowned photographers. Shadow of the House explores how Morell uses his art to make sense of a life up-ended by geographic, cultural, linguistic, and political dislocation. It is an intimate portrayal of how one man’s personal struggle with the themes of loss, exile, and self-determination reflects the ways in which we all work to construct narratives that unite the past with the present and memory with desire. Morell has used this tension to fuel a career as a remarkable artist. Directed by Allie Humenuk (2007)

Trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers (Jordan) return to their hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back.

A disturbed doctor at a state hospital murders a patient and covers it up. 13 years later, Nolan and a group of teens explore the now abandoned hospital and unintentionally uncover the dark secret. The restless spirit of the patient attaches to Nolan and brings to light the decade and a half murder and reveals a much darker revelation.

This film will be followed by a Q&A with directors Allie Humenuk and Amy Geller as well as the subject of the film Rachel Segall, a Newton resident. THE GUYS NEXT DOOR is an intimate portrait of a "Modern Family.” Spanning over three years, this lyrical documentary tackles some of the most pertinent issues of our time: gay marriage and parenting, surrogacy as a path to having children, and the extension and redefinition of what it means to be “a family.” Elegantly shot and edited, THE GUYS NEXT DOOR is an inspiring story of family, friendship and gay rights. Directed by Allie Humenuk Amy Geller (2016)

Inspired by the true story of a disillusioned Englishman who went to work in a school in Argentina in 1976. Expecting an easy ride, Tom discovers a divided nation and a class of unteachable students. However, after he rescues a penguin from an oil-slicked beach, his life is turned upside-down.

2024 | Germany | 80 MIN DIRECTOR: Elke Sasse CATEGORY: DOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILM NEW ENGLAND PREMIERE In-Person Cinema Screening w/English Subtitles __ A journey to European fields where our fruit and vegetables are grown. Blueberries in Portugal, olives in Greece, strawberries in Spain – 1 million migrants are harvesting in Europe. They are the mobile working force, that fill our baskets in the supermarkets, traveling from one area to the next. Most do not have contracts or minimum wages; some are illegal or have high depths with agents. Exploitation in supply chains like chocolate or coffee is a well-known issue. The film adds another bitter taste to what we eat every day: Our daily fruit and veg is rooted in exploitation. Is there a way out of the system?

2025 | Mexico, Philippines, United Kingdom | 84 MIN | DIRECTOR: Giacomo Gex CATEGORY: DOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILM NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE OPENING NIGHT FEATURE PRESENTATION Cinema Screening w/English Subtitles Special video introduction and Live Virtual Q&A with Director Giacomo Gex following the screening. -- Yamashita’s Gold is known today as a legendary war loot allegedly buried by the Japanese Imperial Army across the Philippine archipelago during World War II for future recovery. The story has lured treasure hunters from all around the world. Among them is Jack and his father who have dedicated their lives and spent millions of dollars to find it. This is the story of a son trying to earn his father’s love, trust and respect. A dark path that leads to obsession and unhealthy addiction threatening the livelihood of his wife, children and their entire family.

In “Thunderbolts*” Marvel Studios assembles an unconventional team of antiheroes—Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, Ghost, Taskmaster and John Walker. After finding themselves ensnared in a death trap set by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, these disillusioned castoffs must embark on a dangerous mission that will force them to confront the darkest corners of their pasts. Will this dysfunctional group tear themselves apart, or find redemption and unite as something much more before it’s too late?