“In its total recapturing of a past, in its plot, its vivid characterizations, its carefully calculated and accelerating pace, its whole demonstration of a medium mastered, CHINATOWN reminds you again that motion pictures are larger, not smaller than life.” - Charles Champlin, Los Angeles Times
“The labyrinthine narrative is built up like a fortress around this film's bitter heart.” - Jeremiah Kipp, Slant Magazine
Friday, July 18, 8:15 p.m. & Tuesday, July 29, 7:45 p.m. | In this stylish neo-noir, L.A. private detective Jake Gittes (Jack Nicholson) is hired to investigate a case of marital infidelity involving the chief engineer at the Department of Water and Power. When the man in question turns up dead, Gittes uncovers a web of corruption and lies involving the dead man’s wife (Faye Dunaway) and her father (John Huston). Any murder mystery is bound to include a few revelations— that’s no surprise—but in CHINATOWN, as the D.A. warns him, “You think you know what you’re dealing with, but you don’t.” Perhaps more stunning than the film’s most infamous reveal is that, in Chinatown, even when Jake solves the case, he can’t erase the sins of bad men, and there can be no real justice.
Awards & Nominations
Winner - Best Original Screenplay, Academy Awards
Nominee - Best Picture, Best Actor (Jack Nicholson), Best Actress (Faye Dunaway), Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Editing, Best Sound, Best Original Score, Academy Awards
Spoiler Alert | July 4–29, 2025
Zip your lips, hold your tongues, and keep it to yourself: you are entering a spoiler-free zone! The eight films of Spoiler Alert include twists, turns, and jaw-dropping conclusions, and the secrecy makes their reveals all the more satisfying. Some of you might try to guess the endings (beware of red herrings, false leads, and smokescreens!); others will relish the uncertainty. Either way, there’s nothing quite like the moment when everyone in the movie theater experiences the “aha!” together. No spoiler here; it’s the best.
The Film Center is ADA accessible. This presentation will be projected without open captions. The theater is hearing-loop equipped. For accessibility requests, please email filmcenter@saic.edu