Paramount is teaming with Landmark Theatres to present a four-day Charlie Kaufman retrospective featuring five of his films — “Being John Malkovich,” “Adaptation,” “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” “Synecdoche, New York” and his latest achievement, the stop-motion animated movie “Anomalisa,” which Kaufman co-directed with Duke Johnson.
The retrospective will run Jan. 4 through Jan. 7 at Landmark locations in New York (Landmark Sunshine Cinema), Los Angeles (The Landmark), Chicago (Century Centre Cinema) and San Francisco (Embarcadero Center Cinema).
In New York and Los Angeles, showings of “Anomalisa” will include Q&As with the filmmakers and voice talent. On Monday, Jan. 4 in Los Angeles, the 7:30 p.m. showing of “Anomalisa” at the Landmark Theater will feature a Q&A with Kaufman, Johnson and producer Rosa Tran. On Thursday, Jan. 7 in New York, the 7:30 p.m. showing of “Anomalisa” at the Landmark Sunshine Cinema will be followed by a Q&A with voice actor Tom Noonan.
The Charlie Kaufman Retrospective schedule for all participating Landmark Theatre locations is as follows:
“Being John Malkovich“ – Monday, Jan. 4 at 1 p.m.
Nominated for three Academy Awards, including for Best Screenplay for Kaufman, “Being John Malkovich” follows a puppeteer who discovers a portal that leads literally into the head of the movie star John Malkovich. Directed by Spike Jonze, written by Charlie Kaufman, and produced by Steve Golin, Vincent Landay, Sandy Stern and Michael Stipe. Starring John Cusack, Cameron Diaz and Catherine Keener.
“Adaptation” – Tuesday, Jan. 5 at 1 p.m.
“Adaptation” is the story of a lovelorn screenwriter who becomes desperate as he tries and fails to adapt “The Orchid Thief” by Susan Orlean for the screen. The film earned Kaufman his second Oscar nomination for Best Screenplay, two acting nominations, and a win for Chris Cooper for Best Actor. Directed by Spike Jonze, written by Susan Orlean, Charlie Kaufman and Donald Kaufman, and produced by Jonathan Demme, Vincent Landay and Edward Saxon. Starring Nicolas Cage, Meryl Streep and Chris Cooper.
“Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” – Wednesday, Jan. 6 at 1 p.m.
Winner of the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” follows a couple that undergoes a procedure to have each other erased from their memories when their relationship turns sour. It is only through the process of loss that they discover what they had to begin with. Starring Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, who earned an Oscar nomination for her performance, and Tom Wilkinson. Directed by Michel Gondry, written by Charlie Kaufman, and produced by Anthony Bregman and Steve Golin.
“Synecdoche, New York” – Thursday, Jan. 7 at 1 p.m.
Kaufman’s directorial debut, “Synecdoche, New York,” for which he also wrote the screenplay, tells the story of a theatre director struggling with his work and the women in his life as he creates a life-size replica of New York City inside a warehouse as part of his new play. Nominated for the Palme d’Or prize at the Cannes Film Festival and winner of the Best First Film Award and the Robert Altman Award at the Independent Spirit Awards. Produced by Anthony Bregman, Spike Jonze, Charlie Kaufman and Sidney Kimmel. Starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, Samantha Morton and Michelle Williams.
“Anomalisa” – Monday, Jan. 4 in Los Angeles & Thursday, Jan. 7 in New York – Check for showtimes
Paramount Pictures’ “Anomalisa” is the story of Michael Stone, husband, father and respected author — a man crippled by the mundanity of his life. On a business trip to Cincinnati, where he’s scheduled to speak at a convention of customer service professionals, he checks into the Fregoli Hotel. There, he is amazed to discover a possible escape from his desperation in the form of an unassuming baked goods sales rep, Lisa, who may or may not be the love of his life. A beautifully tender and absurdly humorous dreamscape, from Kaufman and Duke Johnson, this stop-motion animation wonder features the vocal cast of Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tom Noonan and David Thewlis and a stirring strings-based score by Carter Burwell. Produced by Rosa Tran, Duke Johnson, Charlie Kaufman and Dino Stamatopoulos. Written by Charlie Kaufman. Directed by Charlie Kaufman & Duke Johnson.
“Anomalisa” opens in theaters in New York and Los Angeles on Dec. 30 and everywhere else in January 2016.