Now That’s What I Call Arthouse Programming: Belcourt Sets 1999 Retrospective

Massive 25-film series runs the gamut from ‘The Matrix’ to ‘The Blair Witch Project’ and beyond

Twenty-five years ago, in the twilight of the millennium, there was a ton of great cinema being made, from small independent filmmakers to the biggest studios. At this point, can you clearly recall a summer when it didn’t feel like every blockbuster was part of one extended intellectual-property universe or another?

It was also a major time of transition for Nashville’s beloved Belcourt — at the beginning of 1999, it looked like the longstanding two-screen arthouse could close for good. Thanks to a ton of ongoing civic engagement and investment (including an extensive 2016 renovation) the Belcourt is still here and going strong, even in the wake of the COVID pandemic. And the theater is getting ready to celebrate the films of 1999 in high style, with a 25-title retrospective running May 31 through June 30.

“There is no shortage of films that really should be included here,” reads a programmer’s note on the ticket page. “We could easily fill two more 25-film series from the leftovers. It was that good of a year. Other factors such as rights issues, print condition and lack of availability played into some of our more glaring omissions, of which there are plenty. Additionally, some films released in 1999 had their festival premieres in 1998. Likewise, others had their festival premieres in 1999 and opened in 2000. We’ve taken license as we’ve seen fit.”

That said, the bookings run the gamut from now-classic films for the young and young at heart like Toy Story 2 and The Iron Giant to intense adults-only fare like Eyes Wide Shut, Fight Club and The Talented Mr. Ripley (which you definitely need to check out if you found Saltburn underwhelming). Groundbreaking action film The Matrix and bar-setting indie horror flick The Blair Witch Project are on the menu, along with the incredible music documentary Buena Vista Social Club. Comedies include Rushmore, Bowfinger, Office Space and Election, which features a significant early-career role for Nashville’s own Reese Witherspoon.

You can purchase a complete series pass for $200 ($150 if you’re a Belcourt member) or a five-pack of tickets for $45 ($35 if you’re a member). Check out the full list of films and see a complete chronological rundown of the schedule, which also indicates several screenings in 35mm.