Special Screenings
MILDRED PIERCE
DIRECTOR: TODD HAYNES
US, 2011
With Kate Winslet in the title role, MILDRED PIERCE brings to life the memorable character introduced in James M. Cain’s classic 1941 novel. The five-part drama—made as a series for HBO—offers an intimate portrait of a uniquely independent woman who finds herself newly divorced during the Depression years, as she struggles to carve out a new life for herself and her family. The screenplay, co-written by Haynes and Portland’s Jon Raymond, explores Mildred’s unreasonable devotion to her insatiable daughter, Veda (Evan Rachel Wood), as well as the complex relationships she shares with the indolent men in her life. “A saga of unrequited star worship, terminal class envy, failed self-empowerment, and self-immolating smother love, Haynes’ MILDRED is a nightmare as American as Mom and apple pie.”—Village Voice. (330 mins. with one intermission.)
Presented courtesy of Home Box Office.
On July 24, Todd Haynes and producer Christine Vachon will be on hand to discuss their longtime partnership, show clips from various projects (including MILDRED PIERCE), and talk about the world of independent film production.