A new FACETS’ 50th Anniversary series curated by Charles Coleman and hosted by local film critics, “5 Films/5 Decades/5 Critics” digs through our 50-year history to present bold arthouse and independent gems that we’ve discovered and championed over the years. 

Since our late founder Milos Stehlik began screening films from a borrowed 16 mm projector in the basement of a Lutheran Church on Chicago’s Northside in 1975, FACETS has been committed to offering audiences more than just entertainment. We’ve sought to present films with depth and complexity that offer a distinct perspective, challenge traditional cinematic conventions, and push the boundaries of storytelling and visual aesthetics. Famed film critic Roger Ebert even called us “a temple of great cinema,” solidifying our place in the arthouse pantheon.

For over 20 years, FACETS’ Film Program Director, Charles Coleman, has continued and expanded this commitment to uplift diverse storytellers who are overlooked in the mainstream. Looking back on our 50-year legacy, Charles has curated five films, one from each decade, and paired them with local film critics who will introduce and discuss the films in a post-screening Q&A.