Art by Molly Little
Part of the fun of becoming a movie buff is discovering how your favourite films connect across cinema history. With thousands of movies released each year, unexpected links emerge, through shared cast and crew, overlapping themes, similar stories, or direct homages. Loving 2004’s Dawn of the Dead might lead you back to the 1978 original and its entire era of boundary-pushing horror. If you’re a Tarantino fan, following the trail of his influences becomes its own journey through cult classics and global cinema. And if you’ve always wanted to explore foreign films but weren’t sure where to start, finding an international counterpart to one of your comfort watches can be the perfect gateway.
At the Calgary Cinematheque Society, we’re dedicated to fostering a deeper appreciation of cinema. Part of that work is helping casual moviegoers discover the extraordinary range of films found in the classics, in world cinema, and in genres they may have never explored before. Our Discovery Cinema Double Feature series embodies this mission by pairing a beloved mainstream favourite with a critically acclaimed arthouse classic—inviting audiences to experience the many threads that connect films across time and culture.
Just in time for the holidays, we’re bringing back the double feature. Join us for a festive celebration of Christmas and cinema at our Discovery Double Feature of Elf and Being There. Enjoy movie trivia from Tail Spin and browse our film-themed Christmas Market—the perfect spot to find a last-minute gift for the cinephile in your life.
Doors open at noon, with vendors on-site until 6 p.m. Elf (2003) screens at 1:00, Being There (1979) at 3:30, with a trivia break in between.
Written by Ben Rowe.
Elf (2003) | Directed by Jon Favreau | USA | 97 min I Showtime: 1:00 PM
This beloved Christmas comedy classic was a major hit on its release, grossing $220 million worldwide. It inspired a Broadway musical and a TV special, and has been declared by multiple critics to be one of the best Christmas films ever made.
A quintessential fish-out-of-water comedy, beneath a surface of excellent visual gags and superb comedic performances beats a warm heart exploring themes of self-discovery and family. But the key to Elf's long-lasting success is a truly career defining performance from Will Ferrell, in his first movie role after leaving Saturday Night Live. Playing the role of Buddy, a human raised by Santa's elves and now returning to the human world, Ferell gives Buddy a wide-eyed optimism that proves infectious and serves as the comedic engine that drives the movie.
Being There (1979) | Directed by Hal Ashby | USA | 130 min I Showtime: 3:30 PM
The final great performance of legendary comedian Peter Sellers, this satirical comedy explores the character of Chance the Gardener and the effect his simplicity has on the world around him. A fish-out-of-water story just as much as Elf, Being There engages with its themes through a lens of satire and melancholy. Chance has grown up his whole life working on the estate of a rich man, and when the old man finally dies, Chance is forced to leave the estate for a world he has only seen before on television. There his simplistic understanding is mistaken for zen wisdom, and he unwittingly becomes a national celebrity and advisor to the President. Peter Sellers was nominated for an Academy Award for his performance, which is incredibly subdued compared to his bombastic slapstick performances as Inspector Clouseau or his other high-energy roles such as Dr. Strangelove. Subtle, biting, and yet still full of heart, Being There is a sophisticated comedy beloved by critics and audiences as the last great work of Sellars' career.
In the spirit of respect, reciprocity and truth, we honour and acknowledge that this screening takes place on Moh’kinsstis and the traditional Treaty 7 territory, as well as the oral practices of the Blackfoot confederacy: Siksika, Kainai, Piikani as well as the Îyâxe Nakoda and Tsuut’ina nations. We acknowledge that this territory is home to the Otipemisiwak Métis Government of the Métis Nation within Alberta District 6. Finally, we acknowledge all Nations, Indigenous and non, who live, work and play, as well as help steward this land, honour and celebrate this territory.