RATCATCHER
Special Features: Post-show Unhappy Hour on June 12 | Intro by Imani Davis, Film Programmer, American Cinematheque, on Tue, June 16, 7:00 p.m.
In her breathtaking and assured debut feature, Lynne Ramsay creates a haunting evocation of a troubled Glasgow childhood. Set during Scotland’s national garbage strike of the mid-1970s, RATCATCHER explores the experiences of a poor adolescent boy as he struggles to reconcile his dreams and his guilt with the abjection that surrounds him. Utilizing beautiful, elusive imagery, candid performances and unexpected humor, Ramsay deftly contrasts urban decay with a rich interior landscape of hope and perseverance, resulting in a work at once raw and deeply poetic. (Note adapted from Janus Films.) DIR/SCR Lynne Ramsay; PROD Gavin Emerson. UK/France, 1999, color, 94 min. In English and Glaswegian with English subtitles. NOT RATED
About Imani Davis
Imani Davis is film programmer at the American Cinematheque in Los Angeles, and also a producer and writer. At the American Cinematheque, a 501c3 nonprofit boasting over 1,600 film screenings a year, Imani has worked to put on events with A-list filmmakers and talent such as Timothée Chalamet, Sofia Coppola, Spike Lee, Sean Baker, Jordan Peele, Daniels (Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert), Damien Chazelle, Christopher Nolan and many more. Imani is also the founder and lead programmer of the American Cinematheque's short film festival called PROOF, the only festival completely dedicated to proof-of-concept short films, which has resulted in projects coming to fruition and premiering at festivals such as Sundance and Rotterdam.
Unhappy Hour — Friday, June 12, 5:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m.
Commiserate with fellow Bleak Weekers over beverages ($) and chat about melancholy movies. Sad soudtrack included.
Run Time: 94 Minutes
Opening Date: Friday, June 12, 2026
Genre: Drama
Reception
Introduction