“I Saw it First at The Picture House”
There’s something exciting about being the first to know, having an insider’s view, getting that first look. For years, The Picture House has been sharing advance screenings of films with curious movie-goers, followed by an engaging discussion and Q&A with a guest from the film. Directors, actors, producers, screenwriters—from future filmmakers to legendary luminaries—we’ve been fortunate enough to meet with them all.
Whether through The Picture House Film Club with Marshall Fine or other special cinema events (both online and off), together we’ve gotten a sneak peek at everything from small indie films hot off the festival circuit to big name studio movies generating Oscar buzz. These films have entertained us, challenged our perceptions, and offered new insights. Watching them take off and seeing where they land on the cultural map is almost as much fun as telling our friends that we saw it first at The Picture House!
Below are a few of our favorite advance screenings from recent months:
Derek DelGaudio’s In & Of Itself
In Derek DelGaudio’s In & Of Itself, the film version of one of the most successful shows in Off-Broadway history, the award-winning illusionist expands his personal journey to a collective experience that forces us to confront the boundaries of our own identities. After a recent exclusive advance screening we met with creator and star Derek DelGaudio and legendary director Frank Oz. Now available to stream on Hulu, the film is getting great reviews and accolades in the press.
Farewell Amor
A Sundance breakout and highlight of our Fall 2020 Film Club season, Farewell Amor tells the story of an Angolan immigrant family reunited after 17 years through three different perspectives. After our Film Club advance screening we had the opportunity to discuss the film with our special guest, producer Sam Bisbee. Keep an eye on this film during awards season, particularly for the stellar performance by Jayme Lawson.
Belushi
Our Picture House audience met online for an advance screening of this much-anticipated Showtime documentary about the too-short life of a once-in-a-generation talent who captured the hearts and funny bones of devoted fans. Afterwards, we were fortunate to discuss the film with Academy Award nominated filmmaker R.J. Cutler.
White Noise
In October, we launched our Fall 2020 Film Club season with an advance screening of Daniel Lombroso’s unsettling and timely film White Noise – The Atlantic’s first feature documentary. After the film, and months before the insurrection at the Capitol, we spoke with Lombroso about his yearslong reporting of the alt-right and its movement to the mainstream.