Noir City DC at AFI, through Wednesday According to Eddie Muller, film is much like human existence. Once a print sees the light of day, it starts its long decline to death. Just like life.
If that sounds a little noirish, well, it should. Muller is the founder and president of the Film Noir Foundation, a nonprofit whose mission is to preserve and present film noir.
“It’s what keeps it alive,” said Muller when asked how to define film noir. “No one can quite give us a definitive answer. For me, it’s Hollywood’s only organic artist movement.”
Noir City DC runs at AFI through Wednesday.
Film noir, which is French for “black film,” in general refers to crime dramas of the ’40s and ’50s. Muller added that films in the genre draw on corruption and a loss of innocence, with a European visual sensibility.
The Film Noir Foundation recovers film “orphans” that were produced independently, as well as those owned by big studios but forgotten or ignored.
Muller added that in addition to age, modern technology is also a threat to old film. Fewer people understand how to operate the appropriate projectors, and digitization doesn’t preserve the old movies in their true form.
Proceeds from Noir City DC go to the foundation.
“We’re not just saving the film,” Muller said. “We’re saving the filmgoing experience.”
When: Through Wednesday
Info: $11; afi.com/silver
Washington International Horse Show at Verizon Center, through Sunday
This popular event simply takes over the Verizon Center every year. Horse fans fill the arena to see all things equestrian. Plus the family aspect can’t be overlooked: children 12 and under during the day are free.
When: All day; through Sunday
Info: Adults $15 Friday to Sunday daytime, $40 Friday and Saturday evening; children free during the day, $20 Friday and Saturday evening; wihs.org
Othello at Synetic Theater, through Nov. 6
Synetic Theater’s annual Silent Shakespeare Festival started its second of three shows in the series with “Othello,” which runs through Nov. 6. “Romeo and Juliet” follows on Nov. 25.
When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday
Info: $45 to $55; synetictheater.org
Truckerboo, Friday
Each month, food trucks gather at a central location to offer their wares in tandem. With Halloween in mind, Truckerboo is pretty much the same event with a funny name. Twenty-five food trucks are expected to participate, with live music, trick-or-treating and a costume contest for kids from 3 to 5 p.m., plus an adult costume contest that ends at 11 p.m. Fun for all. At Half and M streets SE (across from the Navy Yard Metro stop).
When: 11 a.m. to midnight Friday
Info: Free (food costs money); truckeroodc.com
John Oliver at the Warner Theatre, Saturday
Comedian John Oliver, best known for his bits on “The Daily Show,” is hitting the road. Surprisingly there are still seats available.
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Info: $35; warnertheatre.com
