‘A Girl Missing’ and ‘The Cuban’ top this week’s streaming movies in Cleveland Cinemas and Cinematheque virtual screening rooms

CLEVELAND, Ohio — During the pandemic, the Cleveland Institute of Art’s Cinematheque and Cleveland Cinemas (Cedar Lee, the Capitol, Tower City Cinemas and Chagrin Cinemas) are offering movie fans the opportunity to view first-run films online.

New streaming movie releases this week run the gamut from a thriller to heart-wrenching drama.

Cleveland Cinemas and Cleveland Institute of Art’s Cinematheque are both streaming “A Girl Missing,” which is the latest work from Kôji Fukada (“Harmonium”). The psychological mystery-thriller involves a home healthcare worker who becomes unwittingly involved in a kidnap drama.

Also, this week Cleveland Cinemas presents “The Cuban,” which is a heartwarming film about a nurse befriending an Alzheimer’s disease patient with a colorful past as a famous Cuban musician. The drama stars Academy Award-winner Louis Gossett Jr.

Each can now be viewed from the comfort of your living room with half the proceeds going back to the local theater. Costs vary for each film, which are accessible for either 48 or 72 hours.

Here’s a look at new and current films streaming this weekend through Cinematheque and Cleveland Cinemas:

The Cleveland Institute of Art’s Cinematheque

“The Fight” (opening July 31)

There’s nothing coincidental about the timing of the release of brand-new film “The Fight.” The documentary follows ACLU lawyers battling the Trump administration over voting rights, abortion, parent-child separation and the loss of a soldier’s military career.

“My Dog Stupid” (opening July 31)

Based on a story by American author John Fante, “My Dog Stupid” finds a struggling writer whose life is transformed after the arrival of an oversized, smelly and ill-mannered dog.

“Caro Diario” (opening July 31)

In 1994, “Caro Diario” won filmmaker Nanni Moretti the Best Director award at the Cannes Film Festival. The newly restored movie details a fictionalized version of Moretti taking three different trips in Italy.

“Yes, God, Yes” (now showing)

“Yes, God, Yes,” which stars “Stranger Things” actress Natalia Dyer. Written and directed by Karen Maine (“Obvious Child”), the comedy-drama finds a teenager navigating sexuality, shame and guilt while attempting to unlock her own individuality.

“Bloody Nose, Empty Pockets” (now showing)

Debuting in the documentary category at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, “Bloody Nose, Empty Pockets” is actually a staged film about closing time at a Las Vegas dive bar (despite the fact it was shot in New Orleans). That said, its subjects are equally fascinating and entertaining.

“Helmut Newton: The Bad and the Beautiful” (now showing)

Directed by Gero von Boehm, “Helmut Newton: The Bad and the Beautiful” is a documentary about the legendary photographer known for iconic portraits and fashion editorials. The film includes appearances by Catherine Deneuve, Grace Jones, Charlotte Rampling and Isabella Rossellini.

“We Are Little Zombies” (now showing)

“We Are Little Zombies” tells the story about a unique Japanese pop band whose tween members are all not only orphans but emotionless over their parents’ recent deaths. The inventive comedy finds the quartet going through the rapid-fire stages of grief.

“Flannery” (now showing)

The life, work, and legacy of Southern Gothic literary icon Flannery O’Connor is explored in this new documentary narrated by Mary Steenburgen. Featuring interviews with Hilton Als, Alice Walker, Tommy Lee Jones and Conan O’Brien, the film examines the shy, funny, devout and disabled author from Georgia.

“Bungalow” (now showing)

Director Ulrich Köhler’s 2002 film “Bungalow” finally gets a stateside release. The drama finds a young AWOL German soldier returning to his childhood home, where he falls in love with his older brother’s Danish girlfriend.

“Denise Ho: Becoming The Song” (now showing)

Directed by Directed by Sue Williams, “Denise Ho – Becoming the Song” profiles the openly gay Hong Kong singer and human rights activist Denise Ho. The documentary features unprecedented access as Ho goes from a Cantopop superstar to outspoken political activist promoting her homeland’s struggle for basic freedoms.

“Ai Weiwei: Yours Truly” (now showing)

The documentary “Ai Weiwei: Yours Truly” focuses on China’s most famous artist Ai Weiwei and her 2014-15 installation inside the former federal penitentiary on Alcatraz Island. The dissident, barred from leaving the country at the time, created socially-engaged art focused on the plight of the unjustly incarcerated. Also, such individuals received postcards of support. In the film, director Cheryl Haines travels around the globe to gauge the impact of some of these mailed messages.

“The Tobacconist” (now showing)

Set in 1930s Vienna before Nazi occupation, “The Tobacconist” features actor

Bruno Ganz in one of his final film roles playing Sigmund Freud, who befriends an apprentice at a local tobacco shop.

“Tito” (now showing)

The critically-acclaimed comedy drama “Tito” revolves around a desperate man, who due to fear develops a hump on his back and befriends an intruder to help fight against the predators hunting him.

“Zana” (now showing)

“Zana” tells the story of an Albanian bride experiencing night terrors and miscarriages. She seeks help from a witch doctor and a televangelist healer to cure her infertility.

“New French Shorts 2020” (now showing)

Featuring works by various directors, “New French Shorts 2020” ranges from animation to romance to absurdist comedy. The collection showcases movies presented at major film festivals (Venice, Locarno, New York) and includes Vasilis Kekatos’ “The Distance Between Us and the Sky,” which won the Short Film Palme d’Or at Cannes 2019.

Cleveland Cinemas

“Gordon Lightfoot: If You Could Read My Mind” (opening July 31)

This new documentary about Gordon Lightfoot highlights the Canadian singer-songwriter’s journey from choirboy to Grammy Award-nominated rock star. Narrated by Alec Baldwin, the film includes interviews with Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, Steve Earle, Sarah McLachlan and Anne Murray.

“Rebuilding Paradise” (opening July 31)

Academy Award-winning director Ron Howard’s newest work is the documentary “Rebuilding Paradise,” which highlights how resilient residents of Paradise, Calif. worked together to find new life after a devastating wildfire.

“Marley” (opening July 31)

The life, death and legacy of reggae legend Bob Marley is explored in the new documentary, “Marley,” which includes rare footage, incredible performances and interviews with band members.

“Days of the Whale” (now showing)

Catalina Arroyave Restrepo’s debut revolves around Medellín-based graffiti artists, who defy a criminal gang when they decide to paint over a threat written on a wall.

“Helmut Newton: The Bad and the Beautiful” (now showing)

Directed by Gero von Boehm, “Helmut Newton: The Bad and the Beautiful” is a documentary about the legendary photographer known for iconic portraits and fashion editorials. The film includes appearances by Catherine Deneuve, Grace Jones, Charlotte Rampling and Isabella Rossellini.

“Fantastic Fungi” (now showing)

Director Louie Schwartzberg scored an unexpected art house hit in 2019 with his “Fantastic Fungi” documentary. The love letter to mushrooms is narrated by Brie Larson.

“Quarantine Cat Video Film Festival” (now showing)

After viewing more than 1,100 submissions from all over the world, Pittsburgh-based director Brian Mendelssohn put together the 70-minute feline flick featuring cat videos exclusively filmed during the 2020 quarantine.

“John Lewis: Good Trouble” (now showing)

Recently deceased Civil Rights leader John Lewis is the focus of a Dawn Porter’s new documentary, which celebrates the 17-term Georgia Congressman’s history fighting for voting rights, gun control, health care and immigration reform. Also, online viewers are invited to watch a pre-recorded discussion filmed last month between Lewis and Oprah Winfrey.

“Fisherman’s Friends” (now showing)

This true-life story revolves around a cynical London music executive who tries to sign an unorthodox boy band — ten rugged fishermen — to his record label. The crowd-pleasing comedy will entertain fans of “The Full Monty.”

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