The Downtown Festival: The Golden Boat

The Golden Boat, a film by Raúl Ruiz
Special 35th Anniversary Screening
Q&A with Producers James Schamus, Jordi Torrent, Scott Macaulay

Ruiz, Chilean cinema’s great absurdist, transforms the No-Wave scene of still-seedy, early 1990s downtown New York into a noirish Mexican telenovela involving artists, rock critics, overwrought actors, dime-store philosophers, and a mysterious knife-wielding stranger. A Who’s Who of indie cinema—including producers James Schamus, Scott Macaulay, and Jordi Torrent; assistant director Christine Vachon; actors from the Wooster Group and Squat Theater; cameos by Jim and Tom Jarmusch, Kathy Acker, Annie Sprinkle, and Vito Acconci; and a saxophone score by John Zorn. Digital preservation courtesy Symbolic Exchange/Strand Releasing.

ABOUT THE DOWNTOWN FESTIVAL:
The Downtown Festival is a celebration of emerging and established independent artists across film, music, art, and culture in New York City. The festival’s film program runs October 10–18, with premieres & anniversary screenings at Roxy Cinema, and additional events, including live music, artist talks, and special programs, taking place at venues across Lower Manhattan. Founded by filmmaker Rebekah Sherman-Myntti, The Downtown Festival is an artists-for-artists platform, dedicated to independence, discovery, and genuine cultural exchange.