Film Picks: February 2023

D.C. is a great city for film. Every night (and some afternoons), you can catch a limited release screening at world class museums, libraries and art house theaters. Here are just a few one-night-only screenings at a variety of different venues.

2.3

“The Virgin Suicides” (1999) at Suns Cinema

Sofia Coppola’s debut features some of the hallmarks she became famous for. The cast of characters gazing at the distance with boredom, the perfect soundtrack (this one provided by Air), Kirsten Dunst portraying a troubled and doomed lead, etc. $12. 9:30 p.m. 3107 Mt Pleasant St. NW, DC; sunscinema.com // @sunscinema

2.8 

“Vengeance Is Mine” (1979) at Freer Gallery of art

Once a month, you can catch a weekday matinee of a Japanese classic film at the Freer Gallery of Art, thanks to the Asian Art Museum. The February edition is Shōhei Imamura’s late ’70s true crime tale. Free. 2 p.m. 1050 Independence Ave. SW, DC; nmaamatinees.eventive.org // @natasianart

2.11

“Encanto” (2021) at the National Museum of the American Indian

You know what the kid in your life likes? Bruno. Not the film “Brüno” (2009). Free. 2 p.m. 4th Street and Independence Avenue in Southwest, DC; americanindian.si.edu // @smithsoniannmai

“Legion of Super Heroes” (2023) at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library

This is not the 2022 film where The Rock voices a superhero dog. This is the new direct-to-streaming/DVD about Superman’s cousin, Kara. We’re recommending it because it’s presented by the DC Anime Club and if you’re at all interested in anime, go and meet some like-minded individuals. Free. 2 p.m. 901 G St. NW, DC; dclibrary.org // @dcpubliclibrary

2.25

“Film About a Woman Who…” (1974) at National Gallery of Art

The NGA has the best museum film programming in D.C. Nearly every week, they present a film that even your friend who subscribes to The Criterion Channel doesn’t know. This late February screening is part of their Yvonne Rainer Retrospective. Free. 2 p.m. 4th Street and Constitution Avenue in NW, DC; nga.gov // @ngadc

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Brandon Wetherbee