In celebration of #WomensHistoryMonth, we are screening the beautifully restored 25th Anniversary edition of writer-director Jane Campion's magnificent third feature, the erotically-charged THE PIANO, for screenings on March 22 and March 24.

Set in the mid-19th century, Campion's haunting "feminist masterpiece" tells the story of Ada McGrath, who, after a long voyage from Scotland, is left with her young daughter Flora, and all all their belongings (including a piano) on a New Zealand beach. Mute since childhood, Ada has been sold into marriage to a local man named Alisdair Stewart. Making little attempt to warm up to Alisdair, Ada soon becomes intrigued by his Maori-friendly acquaintance, George Baines - leading to tense, life-altering conflicts.

In addition to worldwide commercial success, THE PIANO made waves critically; Campion was the first woman to win the Cannes Film Festival's highly coveted Palme d'Or prize, and would ultimately go on to become one of a handful of women to be nominated for a Best Director Academy Award. The film earned eight Oscar nominations and won three, including Best Actress (Holly Hunter), Best Supporting Actress (Anna Paquin), and Best Original Screenplay (Campion). THE PIANO features a truly iconic score from Oscar-nominee Michael Nyman, and standout performances from Harvey Keitel and Sam Neill.

"Hunter's performance is outstanding. So is the film." (Guardian)

"Campion never underestimates the power physical obsession exerts over human souls, and, for once, a modern film treats erotic passion honestly." (Time Out)

"This is cinema that fills every sense." (Sight and Sound)

"As peculiar and haunting as any film I've seen... It is one of those rare movies that is not just about a story, or some characters, but about a whole universe of feeling." (Roger Ebert)

Sunday, March 24
Doors 6:15 pm | Movie 6:45 pm
Advance tickets $10.50 | $12.50 at the door

*Minors permitted in the balcony! Must be 19 w/ID for bar service and main floor seating.
**Rio Theatre Groupons and passes OK. Please redeem at the door.

THE PIANO (Jane Campion, 1993 / 120mins / 14A) A mute woman is sent to 1850s New Zealand along with her young daughter and prized piano for an arranged marriage to a wealthy landowner, but is soon lusted after by a local worker on the plantation.