Friday, Oct. 17

Recent Spanish Cinema 2014 continues at the Egyptian this weekend with a free round-table panel with the filmmakers and actors featured in this year’s series at 5:30 p.m., including directors David Trueba, Paco León and Daniel Sanchez Arevalo and actress Clara Lago. At 7:30 p.m., there’s a double feature of León’s Carmina and Amen, a follow-up to last year’s Carmina or Blow Up, which finds Carmina trying to hide the fact her husband has died until the check he’s been expecting arrives, and Witching and Bitching, about three would-be robbers who seek refuge in a village run by witches. Tickets and details at americancinemathequecalendar.com.

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Meanwhile, the second China Onscreen Biennial launches at UCLA’s Billy Wilder Theater, showcasing the highlights of China’s recent film and media art. The opening film, Red Amnesia, is a mystery that begins when an elderly widow’s life is disrupted by anonymous phone calls and strange occurrences. Writer-director Wang Xiaoshuai and producer Liu Xuan will be in attendance at the 7:30 p.m. screening. The series continues through Nov. 3 all over Los Angeles. For the full program, go to global.ucla.edu/cob.

See also: A China Film Series Includes Weibo Celebrity Han Han and The VaChina Monologues

Also at 7:30 p.m. are two adaptations of Goethe’s Faust, about a man who sells his soul to the devil, at LACMA’s Bing Theater. First up is F.W. Murnau’s 1926 silent film, with live musical accompaniment by Michael Mortilla, followed by Jan Švankmajer’s 1994 live-action/stop-motion version at 9:30 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 19

If you’re looking for “original and unusual films,” look no further than the Film Crash Film Festival, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary. Starting at 4 p.m. at the MiMoDa Studio Theater with a reception, the lineup will include one feature and five shorts. This year’s feature is Jaime Lee’s Bittersweet Monday, a story of two married (to other people) best friends, who have to confront their feelings for each other when saying their goodbyes before one moves away. More info at filmcrash.com. 

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