The amazing films I’ve seen at art houses and indie theatres through the years only reinforce the importance of maintaining these struggling exhibition halls. My movie-going life would be a shadow of its current self, seriously deficient in quality and impact, if I had missed, for example, the frenetic Hong Kong action flicks that appeared in US cinemas in the 1990’s, films like Hard Boiled (1992), directed by John Woo. Foreign films have always had a special place at art house theaters, often showcasing great directors before they inevitably get seduced and bring their talents to America. Sometimes we experience these films in almost accidental fashion. I will never forget stopping on impulse one dark rainy night to see a movie I had never heard of, which was playing at a grand movie palace that had seen better days. Soldier Of Orange (Soldaat van Oranje, 1977), a Dutch film starring Rutger Hauer and directed by Paul Verhoeven, captivated me from beginning to end.
My unforgettable art house experiences run the gamut from House of Angels (Änglagård, 1992) to My Twentieth Century (Az én XX. Századom,1989) to Lantana (2001) and even the light romantic comedy of Martha – Meet Frank, Daniel and Laurence (1998). And don’t get me started on my favorite foreign flicks of the past twenty years, which include the visual feast of Amelie (Le fabuleux destin d’Amélie Poulain, 2001) or Kieslowski’s stunning trilogy Blue (Trois coulouers: Bleu, 1993) White (Trzy kolory: Bialy, 1994) and Red (Trois couleurs: Rouge, 1994), not to mention Kieslowski’s equally compelling The Double Life of Veronique (La double vie de Véronique, 1991), which preceded the trilogy.
Foreign films (for those living in America) include movies in English made outside the United States. In addition to Lantana and Martha – Meet Frank, Daniel and Laurence, noted above, witness the amazing Irish film, Once (2006), winner of the gold medal on Jabcat’s Top Ten Movies 2007.
I could go on, noting homegrown independent films (i.e. made in the United States) that opened up my mind and filled my soul as only great cinema can. That role is not reserved to foreign films alone. But perhaps I’ll leave that list for another day, another post.
One thing is clear. Whether foreign made or not, great indie films dominate our movie-going memories and enrich our lives. That’s why it’s sad to recognize that survival of the art house movie theater as an institution is precarious. Nothing new perhaps, but worth remembering. These days many independent theatres are prevented from running first run films that could help sustain them financially (and subsidize non-studio fare) until the large multiplexes in their local market stop showing them. This happens because theater chains often negotiate deals with studios that prevent distributing popular first-run films to smaller competitors until their run at the multiplex has ended. The practice, called “clearance”, is described in a recent article by Bill Briggs of msnbc.com.
Art houses have to survive anyway they can, offering live entertainment, discovering great films you can’t find at the multiplex (like those I’ve mentioned here), selling premium food and drinks. Many art houses find the only way to get by is to operate as a non-profit, so they can solicit contributions and memberships from the local community to support their efforts. One lucky art house, the New Beverly Cinema in Los Angeles found its angel in the director of Pulp Fiction.
In this challenging environment an organization called Art House Convergence exists for independent theaters to address their common challenges. It’s gratifying to note that even theater chains are not solely focused on the blockbuster and recognize the value and importance of independent cinema. Witness AMC Independent, a renewed commitment to advancing independent film, announced by AMC Theatres, the second largest US movie theater chain, on April 23, 2010. The stated purpose of AMCi is to advance and expand guests’ interest in independent film. [Read press release, AMC THEATRES® LAUNCHES SPECIALTY FILMS INITIATIVE]
Anything that preserves art house theatres and expands the availability of foreign films and indie cinema is welcome news.
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I think the general public is the key to the survival of the art house theater. Continued interest in watching fine cinema from around the world will come from a cultural predilection towards the performing arts in general. People have to grow up with good film. It has to be a part of their lives from a very young age. I believe the notion that quality film is only for certain ‘culturally mature’ audiences is simply false. Good film is, by its very nature, made for everyone. If producers and studios truly want to promote art house cinema, they need to invest in how people are absorbing and interacting with the arts early in life. Then there will be no difference between ‘art house’ and ‘mainstream’, only good and bad movies.
when is sarahs key be in spokane, washington area
Nothing for Sarah’s Key in Spokane yet. The Magic Lantern Theater seems like a good location for it. There’s still hope. Check for updates on our Sarah’s Key release schedule page.
When is Sarah’s Key going to be released in Huntsville, AL?
Nothing in Huntsville, Alabama yet. Follow Sarah’s Key release schedule on Jabcat.for updates.