NY on Film Screening: “The Apartment,” With Molly Haskell and Imogen Sara Smith

Step back into the world of 1960s Manhattan at the Downtown Alliance’s latest installation of New York on Film! Join us at Alamo Drafthouse Lower Manhattan (28 Liberty St.) on December 3 for a special screening of Billy Wilder’s “The Apartment” followed by a thought-provoking discussion with distinguished film critics Molly Haskell and Imogen Sara Smith. 

Wilder’s timeless classic stars Jack Lemmon as C.C. “Bud” Baxter, a lonely but ambitious office worker who lends his apartment to company executives for their extramarital affairs, hoping to climb the corporate ladder. Baxter’s life becomes complicated when he falls for Fran Kubelik (Shirley MacLaine), an elevator operator who has her own troubles with the company’s powerful men. Through clever wit, poignant performances and an unflinching portrayal of corporate life, “The Apartment” deftly balances comedy with a dark, reflective lens on love, loneliness and ethics.

Following the screening, Haskell and Smith will examine how Wilder’s New York is both a place of isolation and possibility and dissect the film’s nuanced portrayal of gender and power. They will explore how these portrayals resonate with today’s discussions around workplace dynamics, consent and gender equity, illuminating the ways “The Apartment” remains relevant to modern audiences. 

Don’t miss this opportunity to rediscover one of Hollywood’s most celebrated films and gain a deeper understanding of how its social commentary speaks to both its time and ours. This event is a must-attend for cinephiles, cultural critics and those interested in the ever-evolving narratives of gender and power on screen.

The screening runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets are $5 and include popcorn and a beverage. All proceeds will be donated to a charity of our speakers’ choice. Reserve your spot here.

photo: courtesy Amazon MGM Studios