Screening & Live Event
Computer Chess
Followed by a live video discussion with Andrew Bujalski
Dir. Andrew Bujalski. 2013, 92 mins. DCP. With Kriss Schludermann, Tom Fletcher, Wiley Wiggins, Patrick Riester, Kevin Bewersdorf. Andrew Bujalski, known for his low-budget 16mm features Funny Ha Ha, Mutual Appreciation, and Beeswax, used an archaic Sony black-and-white video camera to enhance the grungy retro atmosphere of his sharply observed and surprisingly evocative Computer Chess. The setting is a seedy motel, thirty-some years ago, where a group of chess software programmers meet for a weekend tournament. The film evokes a world just before computers became a part of our daily lives; it raises fascinating questions about our relationship to technology while immersing us in the hermetic subculture of chess, and takes a fascinating detour from technology to also explore the distinctly human messiness of sex and romance.
Free with Museum admission on a first-come, first-served basis. Museum members may reserve tickets in advance by calling 718 777 6800. For more information about becoming a Museum member and to join online, please click here.