What feels cutting edge and modern today will inevitably become tied to the past—from the film stock to the performance styles and special effects, everything will one day mark a movie as a product of its time.
This is what makes the films of Wes Anderson so fascinating: For nearly 30 years, he has been defying this kind of cinematic fossilization. Anderson and his team create movies that exist just outside of time, blending modern sensibilities with the aesthetics of the past.
Critics sometimes dismiss this as “twee,” but they miss the point. These are meticulously crafted worlds that feel stuck in time because they are stories about characters trying to preserve some version of the past. Max holds onto an idealized version of Rushmore (and himself) in “Rushmore.” Royal wants to restore his family to their former glory in “The Royal Tenenbaums.” “The Grand Budapest Hotel” layers its story across generations, with different characters trying to preserve the hotel first as an institution and then as a memory.
In “The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou,” screening at The Triplex this weekend with star Bill Murray joining us for a post-show interview, Murray’s Zissou lives in a crumbling version of his past that shields him from life’s disappointments. His bubble bursts when his oldest friend is eaten by a mysterious jaguar shark, setting Steve on a journey of revenge.
But like most Anderson protagonists, Steve is actually fighting against change—against the pain we feel when relationships fade, when reality no longer aligns with our dreams, or when we don’t recognize ourselves.
Anderson’s films transcend time because they deal with nostalgia directly. While his stylized worlds may not look like our modern reality, the desire to carefully plan our lives—and the humor, growth, and resilience we develop when those plans fall apart—is something we can all relate to.
Now Playing
“Lee”
The story of a pioneering war photographer starring Kate Winslet.
The true story of the pioneering war photographer, Kate Winslet brings Lee Miller to life in “Lee.” Depicting a decade in the life of the fashion model turned surrealist photographer who risked everything to depict the atrocities of World War II, “Lee” is a stirring tribute to the pursuit of truth in a world looking to ignore it.
Part of our Limited Engagement series, “Lee” plays at The Triplex from October 11 through 16.
“Made in Massachusetts”
A celebration of filmmaking history in the Bay State.
See the history of filmmaking in the Bay State on the big screen in “Made in Massachusetts,” an epic chronological compilation of over 200 movies and shows shot in Massachusetts between 1922 and 2022.
Join us for a special benefit screening of this cinematic tribute to iconic locations like Harvard Square, Nantucket, and our very own Great Barrington, with all proceeds going toward the Berkshire Film and Media Collaborative of Western Massachusetts and The Triplex Cinema.
Filmmaker Adam Roffman will introduce the film and join BFMC’s Diane Pearlman for a Q&A following the screening.
Sunday, October 13, at 2 p.m. 
“The Week”
A climate activist workshop with author Anne Therese Gennari.
What is climate change? And what can we do about it?
Join us for “The Week,” a three-week climate docu-series facilitated by author of “The Climate Optimist Handbook” (and Berkshires local) Anne Therese Gennari.
Each Wednesday night for three weeks starting on October 16, Anne Therese will present a short documentary about climate change followed by a conversation to discuss what we have learned and process the powerful emotions that the climate crisis evokes.
These three meet-ups will bring you on a journey of climate awareness and empowered optimism, leaving you both alarmed and (hopefully) inspired to do something about it!
Starts Wednesday, October 16.
“The Parallax View”
The Triplex’s “Dying in Darkness” series starts with Alan J. Pakula’s conspiracy classic.
Get ready for the upcoming election with “Dying in Darkness,” The Triplex’s new series exploring the intersection of politics, journalism, and democracy. We will be showcasing five classic films, each introduced by local experts who will discuss the continued relevance of their themes.
We start things off with Alan J. Pakula’s conspiracy thriller “The Parallax View,” which follows reporter Joe Frady (Warren Beatty) as he investigates the mysterious Parallax Corporation after the assassination of a presidential candidate.
Before the screening, Berkshire Community College’s Chris Laney will delve into the history of conspiracy theories, their evolution since Watergate, and their impact on today’s political discourse.
Thursday, October 17, at 7 p.m.
“The Wild Robot”
A modern animated classic from Chris Sanders.
From Chris Sanders, the animation pioneer behind “Lilo & Stitch,” “How to Train Your Dragon,” and “The Croods,” comes an epic tale of finding family in the most unexpected places. Featuring the voice talents of Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal, Catherine O’Hara, and more, “The Wild Robot” follows robot Roz as she crash lands on a desolate forest island, learning to adapt to a newfound community of animal friends.
Coming Soon
“The Outrun”
Saoirse Ronan delivers a knockout performance in “The Outrun,” a powerful story of addiction and recovery. After leaving rehab, Rona (Ronan) returns home to Scotland’s Orkney Islands for the first time in years. As she reconnects with her family and hometown, memories of her troubled past begin to emerge, painting a picture of her journey to recovery.
Part of our Limited Engagement Series, “The Outrun” plays from October 18 through 24.
“War Game”
A bipartisan group of U.S. defense, intelligence, and elected policymakers spanning five presidential administrations participate in an unscripted role-play exercise in which they confront a political coup backed by rogue members of the U.S. military in the wake of a contested presidential election in “War Game.”
This documentary places its players in a simulated Situation Room, giving them only six hours to save American democracy. An exercise that serves as a stress test for our institutions, “War Game” is a critical wake-up call that underscores the urgent need for bipartisanship in safeguarding American democracy.
Special screening on October 19, at 7 p.m.
“A Face in the Crowd”
Starring a pre-Mayberry Andy Griffith as Larry “Lonesome” Rhodes, a charismatic drifter plucked from obscurity by a radio producer (Patricia Neal) who uses his populist persona to propel himself from a local radio personality to a national broadcaster with powerful political sway, “A Face in the Crowd” is a chilling critique of American media that is as relevant today as it was in 1957.
Before the movie, Reo Matsuzaki, a specialist on authoritarianism and an associate professor of political science at Trinity College, will discuss the ways governments utilize political performances to acquire and maintain their authority.
Part of our “Dying in Darkness” series, “A Face in the Crowd” screens on October 20, at 4 p.m.
“All the President’s Men”
The story of Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein (Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman), two reporters who risked their safety during their investigation of the Watergate break-in and its ties to the Nixon administration, “All the President’s Men” is a thrilling testament to the importance of investigative journalism.
Before the movie, join Kevin Moran, executive editor of The Berkshire Eagle, as he introduces the film and discusses the continuing importance of print journalism in our current political climate.
Part of our “Dying in Darkness” series, “All the President’s Men” screens on October 24, at 7 p.m.
