MOMA PRESENTS MONTHLONG SERIES IN HONOR OF TWO DECADES OF NEW YORK–BASED DISTRIBUTOR, ZEITGEIST FILMS
June 26–July 23, 2008

Guy Maddin, Todd Haynes, Bruce Weber, and Yvonne Rainer to Introduce Their Films during Opening Weekend

Zeitgeist: The Films of Our Time
June 26–July 23, 2008
The Roy and Niuta Titus Theatres

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NEW YORK, June 4, 2008—The Museum of Modern Art celebrates two decades of films distributed by New York–based Zeitgeist Films with the 20-title exhibition Zeitgeist: The Films of Our Time, June 26–July 23, 2008, in the Roy and Niuta Titus Theaters. Offering a fascinating snapshot of independent American and international film from the past 20 years, Zeitgeist: The Films of Our Time is a selection of works by critical figures in the company’s history and catalog. These range from artists the distributors embraced at early stages of their film careers, including Bruce Weber, Todd Haynes, Deepa Mehta, François Ozon, Olivier Assayas, and Guy Maddin, to established masters like Agnes Varda, Yvonne Rainer, Derek Jarman, and Jacques Demy. This monthlong exhibition includes several introductions and post-screening Q&A sessions with some of the filmmakers, along with appearances by Zeitgeist cofounders Nancy Gerstman and Emily Russo. The exhibition is organized by Rajendra Roy, The Celeste Bartos Chief Curator of Film, The Museum of Modern Art.

Many of the directors whose early work Zeitgeist championed will be present to introduce their films: Careful (1992), introduced June 26 by Guy Maddin, who will also introduce Jacques Demy’s Les Parapluies de Cherbourg (The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, 1964) the same night; Let’s Get Lost (1988), introduced June 27 by Bruce Weber; Poison (1991), introduced June 27 by Todd Haynes; Privilege (1990), introduced June 28 by Yvonne Rainer; Calendar (1993), introduced July 12 by Atom Egoyan; and Ballets Russes (2005), introduced July 19 by co-directors Dan Geller and Dayna Goldfine with dancer Freddie Franklin.

In 1988, in a tiny office in New York, Russo and Gerstman launched Zeitgeist Films. The films and directors that they have consistently sought out and championed encompass the full spectrum of international cinematic innovation over the last 20 years, spanning many genres. Film lovers first, Russo and Gerstman have always dedicated themselves to the time-tested arthouse experience, with focused releases and a dedication to building audiences, reserving risk for their often audacious acquisition choices.

“The phrase ‘tenacity of tasteful commerce’ best describes the spirit of Zeitgeist Films,” says Mr. Roy. “For 20 years, Emily and Nancy have proven to be both die-hard businesswomen and uncompromising connoisseurs of excellent cinema. The artists they have championed are visionaries that MoMA takes pride in exhibiting in their honor.”

The Museum thanks Martin Scorsese, The George Eastman House, Bruce Weber, Eva Lindemann, and The Cinematheque Ontario for their assistance with this exhibition.