Milwaukee Film’s September Programming Features Patricia Highsmith Adaptations, Kurosawa Continued, the Big Lebowski Plus Bowling, and More!

MILWAUKEE – Monday, August 25th – Milwaukee Film’s summer programming concludes with an abundance of great screenings throughout the month of September. With a mini-series of three films based on the novels of Patricia Highsmith, our continued retrospective of the 2K and 4K restored works of Akira Kurosawa, another collaboration with Awkward Nerd Events, this time for a themed screening of The Big Lebowski, a one-night-only screening of the new documentary that chronicles the making of the hit 1995 song “Florence” by Milwaukee band Little Blue Crunchy Things followed by a Q&A, and a selection of film recommendations by The Popcorn List—not to mention the previously announced Michael Schultz Tribute Weekend, presented by Brewers Community Foundation and the 2025 Dialogues Documentary Festival, presented by Potawatomi Casino Hotel—September programming at Milwaukee Film’s historic cinemas truly has something for everyone.

Starting the month off strong, Awkward Nerd Events returns to the Oriental Theatre on September 6th at 6:30 PM with another themed screening, this time of the Coen Brothers’ 1998 cult classic The Big Lebowski, with an event called “Lebowlski Night.” Start the night with a White Russian during the film and then, after the movie, audiences are encouraged to come hang out at Landmark Lanes next door for a Lebowski-themed Afterparty:

• Themed karaoke (yes, you can sing Just Dropped In in costume)
• Costume contest for Dudes, Walters, Maudes, and Nihilists alike
• Specialty drinks including—you guessed it—White Russians
• VID (Very Important Dude) upgrades for the ultimate achievers

Milwaukee Film’s Kurosawa Retrospective, featuring the 2K and 4K restored works of legendary Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa in partnership with Janus Films, continues throughout the month with screenings of Rashomon, Stray Dog, Ikiru and more!

Also throughout September, Milwaukee Film is partnering with Renaissance Theaterworks to present a trio of film adaptations based on the novels of Patricia Highsmith, in celebration of Renaissance Theatreworks’ upcoming production of Switzerland (Oct. 19-Nov. 9). This mini-series of three films is called High on Highsmith, and all screenings will take place at the Oriental Theatre.

“We are thrilled to partner with Milwaukee Film for High on Highsmith,” said Maria Pretzl, RTW’s Marketing Manager. “Patricia Highsmith was a master of psychological suspense, and we’re excited for Milwaukee audiences to experience her stories both on the screen in September at the Oriental Theatre and on our stage with Switzerland this October.”

See the full line-up of High on Highsmith films here:

• THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY – 9/8 at 7 PM
• THE AMERICAN FRIEND – 9/15 at 7 PM
• STRANGERS ON A TRAIN – 9/22 at 7 PM

On September 12th at 7 PM, Milwaukee band Little Blue Crunchy Things will be in attendance for a screening of the new documentary Florence, which chronicles the writing and afterlife of the band’s hit 1995 song “Florence” through interviews and live performances. The documentary will be preceded by concert footage from the band’s 30th anniversary performances, and will be followed by a Q&A.

Earlier this month, Milwaukee Film announced the inaugural Michael Schultz Award, an annual award presented to a luminary Black filmmaker, sponsored by the Brewers Community Foundation. On September 13, Milwaukee Film will present the very first of these awards to its namesake, Michael Schultz, in person at the Oriental Theatre. Beyond the award ceremony, Milwaukee Film has curated a selection of three of Schultz’s most influential films to screen at the Oriental Theatre: Cooley High (1975), Car Wash (1976), and The Last Dragon (1985).

“Milwaukee Film is proud to honor illustrious filmmaker Michael Schultz. He has made a lasting impact in Hollywood and possesses such a wide range of directing talents that naming an award for him to recognize not only his great legacy, but also the legacy of the many filmmakers he has inspired, is a win-win for everyone involved. It is our privilege to offer this award, and we are absolutely delighted that he will be returning to Milwaukee to share his films and his stories with our community,” said Susan Kerns, Milwaukee Film’s Executive Director.

The Tribute weekend will include the following public events with tickets now available at the links below:

• Screening of The Last Dragon | Sept. 12, 2025, 8pm | Oriental Theatre
• Screening of Car Wash with director Q&A to follow | Sept. 13, 2025, 3pm | Oriental Theatre
• Screening of Cooley High with awards presentation and extended Q&A preceding | Sept. 13, 2025, 7:30pm | Oriental Theatre

The September edition of the Oriental Theatre’s long-running monthly screenings of The Rocky Horror Picture Show alongside live performances from the cast of Sensual Daydreams will take place on September 13th at midnight. For those who want to learn even more about the 50-year-old tradition, Milwaukee Film will be screening Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror, a documentary that examines the long-lasting impact and legacy that the subversive rock musical would have on the queer and underground film communities through interviews with the original cast, creatives, and other pop culture figures, including creator Richard O’Brien, stars Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, and Patricia Quinn, and modern-day icons like Milwaukee’s own Trixie Mattel. Screenings of Strange Journey begin on September 25th (coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the film’s US release) and will run throughout that week. October’s screenings of The Rocky Horror Picture Show are always a blast—get your background on the power of the film to further enhance the experience.

Milwaukee Film is gearing up for the 2025 Dialogues Documentary Festival, presented by Potawatomi Casino Hotel, which is set to take place September 18-21 and will consist of over 30 documentary programs screening at Milwaukee Film’s historic cinemas, the Downer and Oriental Theatres.

“Our programming team has spent the last few months carefully selecting documentaries that will matter to our engaged, excited audiences, with a wide range of stories and issues that can be explored at this year’s Dialogues Documentary Festival—from personal health care journeys to accidental animal sanctuaries to celebrations of cultural icons you may already (or will soon) love!” expressed Cara Ogburn, Milwaukee Film’s Artistic Director. “And many of the programs in Dialogues are expected to have special guests in attendance and be extended by talkbacks and such, taking the dialogues one step further without leaving your cinema seat,” she concluded.

The complete lineup of films for the 2025 Dialogues Documentary Festival, presented by Potawatomi Casino Hotel, will be revealed on September 3, with tickets on sale that date for Milwaukee Film Members and on sale for the general public on September 4. Audiences should mark their calendars and plan to join Milwaukee Film’s programming team, staff, and partners for a Friends & Family Preview event on Wednesday, September 10th at the Oriental Theatre, doors at 5:30 PM, program at 6:00 PM.

The Popcorn List, an annual survey of acclaimed indie feature films without traditional theatrical distribution as recommended by film festival programmers across North America, is hosting a series of in-person pop-up screenings featuring sneak peeks of three films plus pre-recorded Q&As at ten different theaters across the country, including Milwaukee Film’s Downer Theatre.

See the full line-up of The Popcorn List pop-up screenings at the Downer Theatre here:

• THE EVERYTHING POT – 9/22 at 7 PM
• IF THAT MOCKINGBIRD DON’T SING – 9/23 at 7 PM
• NEW WAVE – 9/24 at 7 PM

On Friday, September 26th, head over to the Oriental Theatre for September’s edition of the WMSE Friday Night Freak Show: To Sir, With Love. The 1967 classic British drama stars Sidney Poitier, and tackles tough social and racial issues in a struggling secondary school on the East End of London. The night kicks off at 6:30 PM with a live DJ set from Dave Cornils of One Man’s Trash on WMSE, and the screening begins at 7:30 PM.

All Tickets and showtimes can be found online at mkefilm.org/comingsoon.

About Milwaukee Film

Milwaukee Film is a nonprofit arts organization dedicated to entertaining, educating, and engaging our community through cinematic experiences, with a vision to make Milwaukee a center for film culture. Milwaukee Film is committed to high-quality and accessible film programming through their operation of the magnificent Oriental Theatre, a historic cinema palace, and the iconic Downer Theatre, Milwaukee’s oldest running cinema. The second Dialogues Documentary Festival presented by Potawatomi Casino Hotel will take place September 18-21, 2025. The 18th annual Milwaukee Film Festival will take place April 16-30, 2026. For more information or to become a Member, visit mkefilm.org.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.

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