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Massachusetts
Martha's Vineyard Film Society Newsletter - August 23, 2022
Arts and Entertainment
August 24, 2022
From: Martha's Vineyard Film Society
Greetings,
Why does it feel like summer is winding down? It shouldn't. ELVIS has not left the building. That's right, we're bringing ELVIS, the movie back this weekend. Along with 4 other great films to keep the summer fun rolling along. Plus just around the corner, the 17th annual MV INTERNATIONAL Film Festival will inspire you -- the high point of our summer season of entertainment.
ELVIS explores the life and music of Elvis Presley (Austin Butler), seen through the prism of his complicated relationship with his enigmatic manager, Colonel Tom Parker (Tom Hanks). The story delves into the complex dynamic between Presley and Parker spanning over 20 years, from Presley’s rise to fame to his unprecedented stardom, against the backdrop of the evolving cultural landscape and loss of innocence in America. Central to that journey is one of the most significant and influential people in Elvis’s life, Priscilla Presley (Olivia DeJonge).
Special one-time only screening of Jack London's MARTIN EDEN with director/writer Jay Craven will take place September 2nd. Set in 1909, it tells the story of a poor and unschooled sailor who unexpectedly meets Ruth Morse, a magnetic young woman of means and education. Their unconventional attraction upends both lives and propels timely themes of impossible love, dogged individualism in pursuit of the American Dream, and the quest for a comfortable place in an inconstant world. Jay Craven wrote the script while living in West Tisbury, and filmed the movie on Nantucket.
CONTINUING TO PLAY AT THE FILM CENTER
HALLELUJAH: LEONARD COHEN, A JOURNEY, A SONG (preceded by a short welcome by the co-directors Dan Geller and Dayna Goldfine). HALLELUJAH weaves together three creative strands: The songwriter and his times; the song’s dramatic journey from record label reject to chart-topping hit; and moving testimonies from major recording artists for whom “Hallelujah” has become a personal touchstone. This film is a spiritual revelation.
NOPE (only in theater) — Admirable for its originality and ambition, NOPE adds Spielbergian spectacle to Jordan Peele's growing arsenal of film storytelling. Two siblings who run a California horse ranch discover something wonderful and sinister in the skies above, and the owner of an adjacent theme park tries to profit from the mysterious, otherworldly phenomenon. This sci-fi horror picture is suspenseful, moody mystery.
GABBY GIFFORDS WON’T BACK DOWN — tells the extraordinary story of former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords: her relentless fight to recover following an assassination attempt in 2011, and her new life as one of the most effective activists in the battle against gun violence. Featuring extensive vérité filming of Gabby and her husband, astronaut-turned-Senator Mark Kelly; interviews with Barack Obama and other friends and colleagues.
Let's all go back to: MY OLD SCHOOL — Truth can be stranger than fiction, especially when elevated by director McLeod, Alan Cumming, and British singer Lulu (“To Sir With Love”), who performs a blissful cover of the title Steely Dan song. My Old School's unique approach to an outlandish true story makes for entertaining -- and ultimately rather thought-provoking -- viewing.
2022 Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival — September 6-11
In our virtual cinema, FILM CENTER AT HOME, explore newly released films from the comforts of your living room. We are partnering with Eventive to offer these films streaming to your home. Click here to see our current at home offerings, or scroll down for those titles. Your rental of these films online does help support the Martha’s Vineyard Film Society and its staff during this unprecedented time in the movie exhibition business.
Thank you for your your memberships, donations, and/or purchases of movies online. Your support has meant we've been able to keep our staff together and continue to deliver on our mission during these uncertain times.
To find out about upcoming virtual events, scroll below and don't forget to follow us on Facebook & Twitter.
We miss you, and we all look forward to welcoming you again to the Film Center for a movie or event in the coming weeks, months!
Click Here to Become a Member of the Film Society
Click to Make a Charitable Contribution
Click Here to Purchase a Gift Certificate
GABBY GIFFORDS WON'T BACK DOWN
Aug 24th @ 7:30 pm
LAST SHOWING!
Directed by Julie Cohen and Betsy West
GABBY GIFFORDS WON'T BACK DOWN tells the extraordinary story of former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords: her relentless flight to recover following an assasination attempt in 2011, and her new life as one of the most effective activists in the battle against gun violence. Featuring extensive vérité filming of Gabby and her husband, astronaut-turned-Senator Mark Kelly; interviews with Barack Obama and other friends and colleagues; and exclusive access to stunning videos taken in the weeks following her near-death, this film is the story of a rising star transformed by gun violence, and a close-up portrait of the marriage that sustains her.
NOPE
Aug 25th @ 7:30 pm
Aug 29th @ 7:30 pm
A new Jordan Peele Film
Oscar® winner Jordan Peele disrupted and redefined modern horror with Get Out and then Us. Now, he reimagines the summer movie with a new pop nightmare: the expansive horror epic, NOPE.
The film reunites Peele with Oscar® winner Daniel Kaluuya (Get Out, Judas and the Black Messiah), who is joined by Keke Palmer (Hustlers, Alice) and Oscar® nominee Steven Yeun (Minari, Okja) as residents in a lonely gulch of inland California who bear witness to an uncanny and chilling discovery.
“I greatly enjoyed the discovery of the plot’s daring and inventive twists and turns, along with the discerning and speculative ideas that they bring to light. By remarkable design, the movie is as full of action as it is light on character psychology.”
-The New Yorker
HALLELUJAH: LEONARD COHEN, A JOURNEY, A SONG
Aug 26th @ 7:30 pm
Aug 28th @ 7:30 pm
Aug 30th @ 7:30 pm
Sept 1st @ 7:30 pm
Preceded by a Pre-recorded introduction by the co-directors Dan Geller and Dayna Goldfine
HALLELUJAH: Leonard Cohen, A Journey, A Song is a definitive exploration of singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen as seen through the prism of his internationally renowned hymn, “Hallelujah.” This feature-length documentary weaves together three creative strands: The songwriter and his times; the song’s dramatic journey from record label reject to chart-topping hit; and moving testimonies from major recording artists for whom “Hallelujah” has become a personal touchstone. Approved for production by Leonard Cohen just before his 80th birthday in 2014, the film accesses a wealth of never-before-seen archival materials from the Cohen Trust including Cohen’s personal notebooks, journals and photographs, performance footage, and extremely rare audio recordings and interviews.
Aug 27th @ 7:30 pm
Starring Austin Butler and Tom Hanks
The film explores the life and music of Elvis Presley (Austin Butler), seen through the prism of his complicated relationship with his enigmatic manager, Colonel Tom Parker (Tom Hanks). The story delves into the complex dynamic between Presley and Parker spanning over 20 years, from Presley’s rise to fame to his unprecedented stardom, against the backdrop of the evolving cultural landscape and loss of innocence in America. Central to that journey is one of the most significant and influential people in Elvis’s life, Priscilla Presley (Olivia DeJonge).
MY OLD SCHOOL
Aug. 23 @ 7:30 pm
Aug 31st @ 7:30 pm
LAST SCREENING
Pre-recorded Post Film Q&A with Director Jono McLeod
Starring Alan Cumming
In 1993, 16-year-old Brandon Lee enrolled at Bearsden Academy, a secondary school in a well-to-do suburb of Glasgow, Scotland. What followed over the next two years would become the stuff of legend. Brandon had been privately tutored in Canada while he accompanied his mother, an opera diva, on tour before her tragic death. The preternaturally bright student surprised teachers by blazing toward his goal of entering medical school, displaying a wealth of knowledge beyond his years. Brandon found friends despite his initial awkwardness, taking bullied students under his wing, introducing classmates to seminal retro bands, and even starring in the school’s production of South Pacific. But then his unbelievable secret was revealed. Filmmaker Jono McLeod returns to his old school for a nostalgic look at the strange but true story of his former classmate, Brandon Lee.
Utilizing playful, period-specific animation, a pitch-perfect soundtrack, the memories of students and teachers, and the talents of Alan Cumming to bring the tale to life, MY OLD SCHOOL offers more than one surprise along the way.
JACK LONDON'S MARTIN EDEN
Sept 2nd @ 7:30 pm
Followed by a discussion with director/writer Jay Craven live at the Film Center!
Set in 1909, it tells the story of a poor and unschooled sailor who unexpectedly meets Ruth Morse, a magnetic young woman of means and education. Their unconventional attraction upends both lives and propels timely themes of impossible love, dogged individualism in pursuit of the American Dream, and the quest for a comfortable place in an inconstant world.
Jay Craven wrote the script while in West Tisbury, and filmed the movie on Nantucket.
MASKS ARE OPTIONAL
Update March 2nd
MASKS ARE NOW OPTIONAL FOR ALL INDIVIDUALS INSIDE, WHETHER VACCINATED OR NOT AT THE MV FILM CEMTER
Public health authorities on Martha’s Vineyard have updated their guidance on March 2nd to advise that you do not need to wear a mask upon entering and exiting the film center lobby and while in the theater during the performance.
We are mask friendly, and encourage the continued use of masks throughout the performance.
These recommendations were made to protect those who are at increased risk of getting very sick with COVID-19. If you have questions about what your risk is, ask your primary care provider.
WELCOME BACK TO THE MOVIES!
No more social distancing of seats, no more yellow t-shirts. However, continue to spread out in your seating as audiences sizes have not been at capacity.
To minimize lines and promote touch less transactions, we suggest you purchase your tickets online in advance or use a credit card at our box office. We are accepting cold or warm cash again.
Good news! Concessions have Returned to the Film Center. Cash or credit cards can be used for purchases of refreshments at our concession.
The theater is cleaned and sanitized daily, before, and after each showing. Sanitizers, disinfectant wipes, masks, bathrooms for hand-washing available.
We can’t wait to see you, but. . . if you are not feeling well or you've been in contact with someone that recently tested positive for COVID-19, we trust you will stay home until you are well!
CLICK HERE TO STREAM FILMS ONLINE
and Support the MV Film Society
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The Martha's Vineyard Film Society, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit cultural arts organization celebrating 20+ years of service. Although our main activity consists of the operation of the award-winning Martha's Vineyard Film Center, our programming offers much more than films. We produce special community events in collaboration with numerous Island non-profits, host live performances, stream MET Opera live from NYC, and offer Youth Programming year-round, including our Summer Camp with MVTV and Featherstone Center for the Arts. We hope you, our patrons and members, found this newsletter a glimpse into our continued efforts to fulfill our mission and enliven our Island’s cultural arts scene.