Mysterious Skin

Thursday, September 15
Tower Theatre - 9 p.m.
$10 - buy tickets
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"This is like Almodóvar, with a tarnished American flag in his hand: controversial, illuminating, deeply affecting and highly recommended." - Rex Reed, NEW YORK OBSERVER

"A warped, but beautiful and strangely hopeful, coming-of-age tale about two young men struggling to overcome childhood scars." - Ella Taylor, L.A. WEEKLY

"Mysterious Skin is infused with remarkable tenderness and beauty." - A.O. Scott, NEW YORK TIMES

Gregg Araki, director of much-loved, angst-driven films such as The Living End and The Doom Generation, has been winning career achievement awards across the country and now brings us his latest work, the luminous and controversial Mysterious Skin.

An adaptation of Scott Heim's disturbing look at society, teens, pedophilia, and drug use, Araki has assembled a lovely and talented cast, transformed them into a hypnotic set of characters, and woven a story that is not to be missed.

Brian (Brady Corbett) is a troubled 18- year-old who is certain he was abducted by aliens, and Neil (Joseph Gordon Levitt) is the ultimate beautiful outsider who helps Brian to unlock the secrets of both of their past lives. Elisabeth Shue plays Neil's loving but promiscuous mother, who is concerned by Neil's burgeoning curiosity and sexual desire, since Neil's lessons about love came at a very early age while in little league. Mysterious Skin explores the hearts and minds of two very different boys who discover the key to their future happiness lies in the exorcism of their collective demons.

Contains sexual situations, drug use, adult themes, nudity and violence. No one under 17 admitted.

Directed by Gregg Araki
2004, USA, 35mm, 99 minutes

Screening Sponsor: Ashtree Studios
Day Sponsor: Dumont Printing