MKE Film presents 'Bleak Week'

MKE Film presents 'Bleak Week'

From Cinebuds by Radio Milwaukee

June 10, 2026 · 30 min

About this episode

The episode explores the theme of work and its connection to bleakness through a discussion of films featured in MKE Film's Bleak Week.

Get ready to lean into the darkness! For this episode, we invited a special guest to help us celebrate the most wonderful (and miserable) time of the year: Bleak Week . Running from June 21-27 at the Oriental Theatre , Bleak Week is an international phenomenon featuring some of the greatest, saddest and most soul-crushing films from around the world. This year, the series delves into the theme of work, exploring how our jobs and labor can be a primary source of bleakness in our daily lives. Milwaukee Film programming director Kerstin Larson is back in the studio as we dive into the Bleak Week lineup, starting with a special Father’s Day screening of Béla Tarr’s The Turin Horse . We also discuss the high-stakes tension of Sorcerer , the psychological paranoia of the anime classic Perfect Blue and the minimum-wage struggles depicted in American Job, which includes a live Q&A with local lead actor Randy Russell. Whether it’s the gritty detective work of Se7en or the poignant social commentary of Black Girl , there's a flavor of misery for every cinephile to enjoy together in the beautiful, air-conditioned gloom of the theater. After all, misery loves company. #### Cinebuds is…

People in this episode

Guest: Kerstin Larson

Topics covered

  • Bleak Week
  • film
  • labor
  • psychological themes
  • international cinema
  • Father's Day screening

Keywords

  • Bleak Week
  • film festival
  • labor
  • psychological films
  • international films
  • Kerstin Larson
  • Randy Russell

Sponsors

Joe Wilde Garage Doors

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: MKE Film

Books & works: The Turin Horse, Sorcerer, Perfect Blue, American Job, Se7en, Black Girl

Places: Oriental Theatre

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