Double Exposure Investigative Film Festival
Investigative reporting has certainly been front and center recently, with journalists digging for facts and papers continually freaking out over having to redesign their front page every time another story breaks. Celebrate the hunting instinct at the Double Exposure Investigative Film Festival, which is all about telling untold stories. The kickoff film, screening Thursday at 7 p.m. at the National Portrait Gallery, is “One of Us,” about what happens when Hasidic Jews leave their closed-off communities for the world at large. The rest of the lineup, screening at the Naval Heritage Center, includes the U.S. premiere of “The Other Side of Everything,” about political resistance in pre-revolutionary Serbia, and two world premieres: “End of Truth,” about kidnappings by ISIS, and “TrustWHO,” which looks inside the politics of the World Health Organization.
National Portrait Gallery, Eighth and F streets NW; Naval Heritage Center, 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW; Thu.-Sun., $15-$25 per film, $99 for pass.
“Serenity”
Do some good while watching something great. Equality Now is sponsoring a screening of the beloved 2005 cult film “Serenity,” which belatedly wrapped up the beloved cult TV show “Firefly.” Tickets are available at four price levels and proceeds go to help the organization, which fights for the rights of women and girls worldwide. In addition to the movie, there will be raffles and a costume contest. While the movie is rated PG-13, anyone under 21 must be accompanied by an adult. That’s wise, because “Serenity” was written and directed by Joss Whedon, whose penchant for killing beloved characters suddenly and tragically is VERY PRESENT HERE.
Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse, 2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington; Sat., 2:30 p.m., $15-$100.
Joan Fontaine Centennial
Here’s a fact that will help you the next time you’re on “Jeopardy!” Joan Fontaine is the only actor to win an Oscar for acting in a Hitchcock film. You can see her award-winning performance — in “Suspicion” — as part of an AFI Silver series honoring Fontaine, who would have turned 100 on Sunday. First up is a double feature of “Ivy” and “Born to Be Bad” (Sun., 11:30 a.m., $10), followed in November with “Suspicion,” “Letter From an Unknown Woman” and the gothic films “Jane Eyre” and “Rebecca.” Another fun fact: She was Olivia de Havilland’s little sister.
AFI Silver, 8633 Colesville Road, Silver Spring; Sun. through Nov. 22, $10-$13 per film.