In cosmopolitan areas, art cinema houses are loved, revered, noticed, conversation creators, and on and on. But two art house cinemas in South Florida, gems of the community, don't seem to get their due. The next three weeks should change all that. Gregory Von Hausch, president and CEO of the Broward Film Society, which operates both Cinema Paradiso in Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood says he's bringing things to a "whole new level" by working with Robert Rosenberg, the found director of Coral Gables Art Cinema and Founding Director, of the Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, to present premieres of important international films.
"It's a very special three weeks of premiere engagements of some of this year’s most interesting international art house films coming to the Hollywood and Ft. Lauderdale Cinema Paradisos," says Rosenberg, who left his post as director of the Coral Gables Art Cinema in mid September, riding high on a way wave of success he created.
When he left, the Gables cinema was the No. 1 and No. 2 leading arts cinema in terms of box office in the state of Florida.
"What we've decided to do here with the Cinema Paradisos is 'clear the boards.' A couple of things that we're doing is not showing the same films in both Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood because since they are in such close proximity we felt that we were maybe losing some of the audience. And we aren't showing second run films, that means films that had already run in Miami, but there's a unique film playing for the entire seven days a week.
So Broward audiences will be exposed as early as possible to new films. "From Brazil to Norway and back to the United States, there's a global selection of films that cover the map in terms of style and subject matter. In addition to film screenings, director Q&As accompany many of the films."What we're doing with the director question and answer sessions is creating an 'event' around going to the movies.
On Saturday, Nov. 29 at 7 p.m., a question and answer session with the director of the Brazilian movie, "The Way He Looks," will be speaking with the audience via a live video link. There will be a live video-link question and answer with "The Immortalists' " director Jason Sussberg at the 7 p.m., Friday, Nov. 28 screening. Susanna Fogel, director of "Life Partners," will be featured in a question and answer via video link at the 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7 screening. There will be a live video-link question and answer with Stefan Haupt at the 3 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 14 screening of "The Circle."
"There was a loyal following of the arthouse in Coral Gables that developed and that's what we believe we can build here – a core community of people who want to check in every week and see what's happening – who say, 'I'm curious to see what's playing their because they always have interesting films.' "
Rosenberg believes that once people are introduced to one of the theaters – "perhaps they come in the door because of a GLBT themed film or a foreign film has some element that might interest them" — he believes they get hooked.
"We're giving the films we're showing a bit more attention. There's no one theme – these are just the best films I could get for this time period and that I thought were workable for this community with the idea of having films from as many different countries as possible, and different genres from thrillers to comedies."
Both cinemas feature bar drinks – wine and beer in Hollywood; a full bar in Fort Lauderdale; plus food and of course, popcorn.
"People get in the habit after they've tried out a 'boutique' cinema. It offers something just a bit different from the multiplex... something more thoughtful."
The full line-up of films is:
Wednesday, Nov. 26: Hollywood Cinema Paradiso
"The Better Angels," South Florida Premiere
Terrence Malick produced this stunningly beautiful fictionalized evocation of Abraham Lincoln’s childhood in the early 1800’s of frontier America, with exquisite black and white Scope cinematography. The film stars notable actors Diane Kruger, Jason Clarke, Brit Marling and Wes Bentley. A special screening will include a Q&A with the film’s director. Also opening at Miami’s Cosford Theater.
Full-week showtimes are: Wednesday, Nov. 26 at 4:30 and 9 p.m.; Thursday, Nov. 27 at 6:15 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 28 at 4:45 and 9:30 p.m.; Saturday at 2:30 and 7 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 30 at 4 and 8:30 p.m.; Monday, Dec. 1 at 6:15 p.m.; Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 8:30 p.m.; Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 6:15 p.m., and Thursday, Dec. 4 at 8:30 pm.
"The Immortalists," South Florida Premiere
The story of two eccentric scientists struggling to create eternal youth with medical breakthroughs in a world they call “blind to the tragedy of old age.” As they battle their own aging and suffer the losses of loved ones, their journeys toward life without end ultimately become personal. A special screening will include a Q&A with the film’s director. Also opening at Miami’s Cosford Theater.
Full-week showtimes are: Wednesday, Nov. 26 at 6:45 p.m. ; Thursday, Nov. 27 at 3:15 and 8:30 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 28 at 7 p.m. (with question and answer); Saturday, Nov. 29 at 4:45 and 9:15 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 30 at 1:45 and 6:15 p.m.; Monday, Dec. 1 at 8:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 6:15 p.m.; Wednesday, Dec. 3 ta 8:30 p.m. and Thursday, Dec. 4 at 6:15 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 26, Ft. Lauderdale Cinema Paradiso
"The Way He Looks," South Florida First Run Engagement
This year’s official Brazilian submission for the Foreign Oscars, the film tells an honest and tender coming-of-age story of a blind teenage boy struggling to be independent, and the charged triangle that develops between him, his best friend who is a girl, and the new boy at school. A special screening will include a question and answer with the film’s director. Also opening at Miami’s O Cinema.
Full-week showtimes are: Wednesday, Nov. 26 at 7 and 9:15 p.m.; Thursday, Nov. 27 at 3:15, 6:15 and 8:30 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 28 at 7 and 9:30 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 29 at 2:30, 4:45 and 7 p.m. (with question and answer); Sunday, Nov. 30 at 1:30, 3:45, 6 and 8:15 p.m.; and Monday, Dec. 1 through Thursday, Dec. 4 at 6:15 and 8:30 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 5, Hollywood Cinema Paradiso
"Viva La Liberta," South Florida First Run Engagement
This darkly hilarious smash-hit Italian comedy about a politician replaced by his identical twin brother stars the acclaimed comic actor Tony Servillo playing both roles, of course – the disgraced elected official on the run, and his guileless brother suddenly thrust into the limelight in which he, against all odds, thrives. Also opening at Miami’s Tower Theater.
Full-week showtimes in Hollywood are: Friday, Dec. 5 at 4:45, 7 and 9:15 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 6 at 2:30, 4:45, 7 and 9:15 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 7 at 1:30, 3:45, 6 and 8:15 p.m.; Monday, Dec. 8 at 6 and 8:15 p.m.; Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 6 and 8:15 p.m.; Wednesday, Dec. 10 and Thursday, Dec. 11 at 6 and 8:15 p.m. For Fort Lauderdale, the times are:: Friday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 6 at 9:15 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 7 at 4:15 p.m.; Monday, Dc. 8 at 6 p.m.; Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 8:15 p.m.; Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 6 and Thursday, Dec. 11 at 8:15 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 5, Ft. Lauderdale Cinema Paradiso
"Life Partners," Exclusive South Florida Theatrical Premiere
In this dramedy, two young twenty-something (best friends forever) – one heterosexual, one a lesbian – find their relationship and lives tested when a man comes between them. Starring Leighton Meester, Gillian Jacobs, Adam Brody and Gabourey Sidibe.
A special screening will include a Q&A with the film’s director.
Full-week showtimes are: Friday, Dec. 5 at 9:15 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 6 at 2:30, 4:45 and 7 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 7 at 1:30 with question and answer, 6:30 and 8:45 p.m.; Monday, Dec. 8 at 8:15 p.m.; Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 6 p.m.; Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 8:15 p.m. and Thursday, Dec. 11 at 6 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 12, Hollywood Cinema Paradiso
"Pioneer," South Florida Theatrical Premiere
This is a conspiracy thriller set in Norway during the early 1980s, when divers struggled to go to depths never before achieved as they laid the North Sea pipeline. This tense film, in both Norwegian and English, features well-known American actors Wes Bentley and Stephen Lang, and Norwegian star Aksel Hennie. Also opening at Miami’s Tower Theater.
For Fort Lauderdale, the times are:: Friday, Dec. 12 at 4:45, 7 and 9:15 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 13 at 2:20, 4:45m 7 and 9:15 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 14 at 1:30, 3:45, 6 and 8:15 p.m.; Monday, Dec. 15 through Thursday, Dec. 18 at 6 and 8:15 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 12, Ft. Lauderdale Cinema Paradiso
"The Circle, " South Florida First Run Engagement
Set in the late 1950s in Switzerland, the film uncovers a powerful and little known history of underground gay life and activism, mixing narrative and documentary elements. It is the Official Swiss Foreign Oscar submission and a multiple award winner at the Berlin Film Festival, Outfest and other events. A special screening will include a Q&A with the film’s director. Also opening at Miami’s Tower Theater.
For Fort Lauderdale, the times are:: Friday, Dec. 12 at 7 and 9:15 p.m.; Saturday, Dec.13 at 2:30, 4:45, 7 and 9:15 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 14 at 1:30 p.m. with question and answer, also at 3, 5:45 and 8 p.m.; Monday, Dec. 15 through Thursday, Dec. 18 at 6:15 and 8:30 p.m.
The Cinema Paradisos are located at 2088 Hollywood Blvd., in downtown Hollywood off Young Circle; and at 503 SE 6th St., in downtown Ft. Lauderdale near the Courthouse.
ADMISSION: All regular screening tickets are $10 general admission, $8 seniors and students, and $6 members. They can be purchased at the Cinema's box office during regular screening hours and online at www.fliff.com.
FOR MORE INFO: www.fliff.com info@fliff.com (954) 525-3456 for Fort Lauderdale and (954) 342-9137 for Hollywood
Parking in Hollywood is free on-street free for first three hours and free after 5 p.m., and at nearby garages; parking in Ft. Lauderdale at on-street meters, and free at Courthouse parking garage after 5 pm on weekdays and all day on weekends.
The Cinemas are Broward County’s only year-round non-profit art houses. They are run by the Broward Film Society, which also produces the annual Ft. Lauderdale Film Festival. Funding for the Cinema Paradisos comes in part from Air France; the Broward County Commissioners as recommended by the Broward Cultural Council; the Community Foundation of Broward; Cowan Enterprises; the Forman Family Foundation; Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau; the Hollywood Community Redevelopment Agency; the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture; and the many other sponsors, businesses, individual donors and members who contribute to the Cinemas’ work.
