With the news of David Bowie’s passing still sending shockwaves throughout the musical community, filmgoers are also looking for comfort in his varied and versatile film career. In that vein, Sebastopol’s Rialto Cinemas will be screening the surreal 1976 British sci-fi film starring Bowie, The Man Who Fell to Earth, beginning Friday, Jan 15.
Rightfully hailed as a cult classic, this stunning film stars a red-haired, pale-skinned David Bowie as an alien who crash lands on our planet while looking for help saving his own. Using his advanced technology, the “Man” infiltrates American industry and business with a goal of building a way back home, though the wealth and decadence of society pulls him in the opposite moral direction.
Directed by Nicolas Roeg, who also helmed ’70s cult favorites Walkabout and Don’t Look Now, this film is a uniquely profound and meditative work, and Bowie is perfect in his major film debut as the literal Starman. This upcoming big screen showing is a rare treat, as the film is largely unavailable in good condition; even it’s Criterion Collection release long out-of-print.
The Man Who Fell to Earth screens from Friday, Jan 15 to Thursday, Jan 21, at Rialto Cinemas, 6868 McKinley St, Sebastopol. 707.525.4840. Check their site for showtimes.Â
