Since breaking into the American independent film scene in the late 1980s with simply plotted, structurally challenging works like THE UNBELIEVABLE TRUTH, TRUST and SIMPLE MEN, writer/director Hal Hartley has flirted with mainstream success but never pursued it. He has chosen instead to make works on his own terms-with tireless experimentation, curiosity and playfulness. Hartley has recently focused almost exclusively on the digital format, exploiting the media's cold features and embracing its limitations to create hectically stylized works. In the hands of a gifted artist and innovator like Hartley, the results are provocative and eye-opening.

These two digital programs showcase recent works by Hartley-his tenth feature THE GIRL FROM MONDAY and POSSIBLE FILMS (a collection of shorts from the past 10 years, including film and digital work), plus the premiere of SISTERS OF MERCY starring Parker Posey and Sabrina Lloyd.

THE GIRL FROM MONDAY

Taking its cues from Jean-Luc Godard's ALPHAVILLE and Chris Marker's LA JETƒE, this low-tech sci-fi tale is more concerned with ideas than special effects. Set in the aftermath of a bloodless revolution in a familiar-looking future, the brave new consumer society values credit ratings above all. Where one's identity is defined by buying power-and increased sexual activity can improve one's market value-spurned lovers file insurance claims to protect their portfolios. Featuring Bill Sage as the advertising executive who takes in Tatiana Abracos, the eponymous visitor from another world.

DIR/SCR Hal Hartley; PROD Hal Hartley and Steve Hamilton. US, 2005, DV, 84 min. UNRATED

POSSIBLE FILMS: SHORT WORKS 1994-2004

OPERA NO. 1
(1994, 7 min., 16mm)

THE OTHER ALSO
(1997 7 min., DV)

THE NEW MATH(S)
(1999, 15 min., DV)

NYC 3/94
(1994, 10 min., 16mm)

THE SISTERS OF MERCY
(2004, 17 min., DV)

KIMONO
(2000, 27 min., 35mm)

REGARDING SOON: INTERVIEW WITH HAL HARTLEY
(2005, 10 min., DV)

EXCERPTS FROM SOON, A WACO INSPIRED PLAY BY HAL HARTLEY
(2005, 16 min., DV)