“Manito” focuses on two Latino brothers from the Washington Heights section of Manhattan who have followed different paths. Junior Moreno, a player in the local drug scene, has done jail time while Manny, the salutatorian of his high school class, has a bright future. This first film by writer-director Eric Eason was awarded the Special Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. It is recommended for mature audiences.
Evanston Public Library, 1703 Orrington Ave., Evanston, “Manito,” 7 p.m. Mon., free; 847-866-0300.
–Nancy Maes
Critic’s pick
“Russian Ark” (Russian; Alexander Sokurov, 2001) (star)(star)(star)(star)
Another chance to see one of the great visual/technical feats in movie history: Sokurov’s one-shot phantasmagoria on pre-revolutionary Russian history and culture, captured in one gliding, eye-popping track through St. Petersburg’s Hermitage Museum. 8 p.m. Friday, Fermilab, Ramsey Auditorium, east of Batavia; $4; 630-840-8000.
–Michael Wilmington
Other openings
Alliance Francaise, 54 W. Chicago Ave., Festival of New French Cinema: Lunch buffet and film panel discussion, 11 a.m. Sat., $10, reservations recommended; 312-337-1070.
Block Museum of Art, 40 Arts Circle, Northwestern University, Evanston, Block Cinema: “The Wedding Banquet,” 8 p.m. Fri., $6; 847-491-4000.
Chicago Filmmakers, 5243 N. Clark St., “Plan Colombia: Cashing in on the Drug War Failure,” co-presented by Chicago Media Action and Andersonville Neighbors for Peace, 8 p.m. Sat., $7; 773-293-1447.
Film Studies Center at the University of Chicago, Room 37, Cobb Hall, 5811 S. Ellis Ave., “Jewish Luck,” 2 p.m. Fri.; “Jews in the Flatland: The Dynamics of Jewishness in Russian and Soviet Film,” talk by Roman Timenchik, 4:30 p.m. Fri.; Experimental Film Club: “Roller Coasters, Persian Cats and Babies: Home Movies from the 1930s-50s,” from the collection of silent film pianist David Drazin, 7 p.m. Fri.; Fire Escape Productions, screening of recent work from University of Chicago student filmmaking group, 7 p.m. Mon., all programs are free; 773-702-8596.
Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State St., “Anatahan,” Fri. and Sun.; “Menace II Society,” Fri. and Tue.; “The Animation Show,” Fri.-Thu.; “Valerie and Her Week of Wonders,” Sat. and Thu.; “Invisible,” Sat. and Mon.; “Sonic Acts,” Sun. and Wed.; “Animal Attraction” and works in progress by Kathy High, who will be present for the screening, Thu., $8; 312-846-2600.
LaSalle Theatre, 4901 W. Irving Park Rd., LaSalle Bank Classic Film Series: “Wichita” and short “The First Round-Up,” 8 p.m. Sat., $5; 312-904-9442.
Max Palevsky Cinema, Ida Noyes Hall, 1212 E. 59th St., Doc Films: “American Wedding,” Fri.; “Weather Underground,” Sat., $4; 773-702-8575.
Tivoli Theatre, 5021 Highland Ave., Downers Grove, After Hours Film Society: “Man on the Train,” 7:30 p.m. Mon., $8; 630-534-4528.
–N.M.
