The Gene Siskel Film Center

06/25/09

A great reason to live in Chicago

by SimmySimmyYaaaa at Citysearch

This is an incredible theater! Its right down town [Over by the ABC TV building on State] One of the greatest film centers in North America. You have to visit this if you are a real film fanatic and you are in Chicago. This is a theater for people who are very passionate about indi films, documentaries, ground breaking movies and tributes to the great film makers of the past.

Go here now!

• Pros: See new rare films before other people
• Cons: Not for people who dont appreciate obscure films

A snazzy Theater District location for this venerable film institution.

by Contributor at Citysearch

The Venue
The theater that movie buffs would design for themselves, given the chance. After climbing a wide staircase to the second floor, you see a lobby that looks more like an art gallery than a movie theater. This glittering mini-movie palace has state-of-the-art projection in its two theaters (one with 200 seats and the other with 64), not to mention sinfully cushy chairs with cupholders and clear sightlines. Plus: there's tables where you can have an espresso and look out the windows at the Chicago Theater right across State Street.

What Do They Show?
Everything from 1930s American gangster films to French new wave to indie premieres. August has the Black Harvest festival of African-American films; October, the long-running festival of films from Iran; and February has the Hong Kong film festival, which drew big crowds long before Jackie Chan ever came to America.