THUR 4/28
You're not going to find a copy of Polaroid Cocaine at a neighborhood Blockbuster, that's for sure. Michel Auder's 1993 five-minute film, a montage of images laced with cabaret music celebrating addiction to the spectacle, is the type of work rarely seen outside a museum or experimental art space, until now. "E-flux video rental," a project by Anton Vidokle and Julieta Aranda, featuring a free video rental store, a public screening room, and an archive consisting of more than 400 art films, has opened branches in Amsterdam, Berlin, and Miami through the summer season. The concept is to make contemporary art films accessible to a larger public. "The wealth of materials is incredible; these films are an invaluable educational resource for the community," says Silvia Karmen Cubina, director of the Moore Space (4040 NE Second Ave., Miami), where "e-flux" runs through August.
The project is based on a corporate model; organizers tapped 40 international curators to select films that showcase the spectrum of contemporary art cinema with a democratic eye on dissemination. Available titles include works by Dara Friedman, Spike Jonze, Yoko Ono, and Rirkrit Tiravanija. Register at the video counter and you can check out two tapes without plunking down a credit card or worrying about late fees. The gallery hours are 10:00 to 5:00 Wednesday through Saturday. Call 305-438-1163, or visit www.themoorespace.org. --Carlos Suarez de Jesus
Cubano Comedy
Local indie film lampoons Castro
FRI 4/29
The classic 1980 movie Airplane! spawned both a sequel and an urban remake, the regrettable Soul Plane. Now, thanks to the Frank Shades film team, the aeronautical farce has been given a Cuban infusion, with Fidel Castro in the cockpit. Surely they can't be serious! They are serious. And don't call them Shirley. Freedom Flight was filmed at Universal Studios in a whirlwind five days. The brevity of the shoot says nothing about the quality of the movie, which will be screened at the Latino Chicago Film Festival. Catch the premiere of this hilarious movie and enjoy coffee and croquetas tonight at 9:00 at the Trail Theatre Center, 3713 SW Eighth St., Coral Gables. Tickets cost eight dollars. Call 305-448-0592, or visit www.freedomflightthemovie.com for other locations and times. --Patrice Elizabeth Grell Yursik
