CWC September News

NEXT WEEK

☀  Searching for Mr. Rugoff … Tue Sep 7, 7 pm.

  Are you a film buff?  Documentary or biography fan?  Interested in the history of cinema or curious about cinema marketing and distribution?  Check out the reviews on Rotten Tomatoes (Score: 100%).

   Join us for an inside look at contemporary American cinema history, told through the biography of Don Rugoff, the eccentric marketing genius with an eye for film who brought indie and art house cinema into the American mainstream, and then disappeared.
   In the post-film discussion, cinema experts John Alberti and Steve Rosen will apply their decades of knowledge to break down the film – covering the man, his playlist, the industry and filmmaker Ira Deutchman.
   Do these titles ring a bell? — Scenes from a Marriage … Swept Away … Monty Python and the Holy Grail … Seven Beauties … The Endless Summer … Z … Elvira Madigan … Putney Swope … Gimme Shelter … The Garden of the Finzi-Continis … These films, and many more, were released by Cinema 5, Rugoff’s company.  Many drew serious accolades (Cannes and Oscar winners, etc.).

☀ Trailer, synopsis, tickets, film release list, director bio
One night only at the Garfield, also available in our virtual cinema.

MID-MONTH LOVE STORY

☀  A Ghost Waits … Tue Sep 14, 7pm and Wed Sep 15, 7 pm.

   But first, a detour. (DISCLAIMER: I am not a big fan of “horror” films that are crass, ultra-violent and plotless.)
   In film marketing parlance, descriptors like blockbuster (aka tent pole), rom-com, and horror, etc., are terms typically used by movie marketers to drive predictable public recognition and box office results. It’s all about the money. Because a film is in the blockbuster bucket is no guarantee it will be stellar – think John Carter or Tenet.
   Ditto for so-called “horror” films. Yes, there are the blood-soaked, slasher, jump-scare products that attract many viewers – like the 9-film Saw franchise (what’s really scary is the number of sequels).
   But not all films dropped into the horror bucket fit that profile. Some films are scary, others are not. Some appeal to one’s intellect, others satisfy blood lust. And some are well-crafted dramas (or comedies) involving the supernatural with actual plots and quality acting.

   A Ghost Waits fits that last category. It is not “jump” scary. But it is spooky in a palatable, non-terrifying way — a well-written, well-acted, engaging, non-traditional love story.
   Filmed in Cincinnati and Covington, it is a poignant drama about loneliness, connection and blossoming romance between a ghost and the man she is assigned to haunt, told with wry humor and considerable heart.
   The sobering twist at the end will have you thinking about it afterwards. (Hint: read the Director’s Statement at the CWC website.)
   Director Adam Stovall (New York based Cincinnati native) returns to Cincinnati to introduce his festival-winning film and lead post-film discussions.
   This is the Cincinnati theatrical premiere of A Ghost Waits. Made on a limited budget, it is Adam’s first feature film – give it a chance and see what you think, then afterward learn about the backstory and reasons for making the film.

☀ Trailer, synopsis, tickets, interview, dining options.
Two nights only at the Garfield, also available in our virtual cinema.

A ONCE-A-YEAR PLEASURE

☀  LUNAFEST … Sun Sep 19, 4pm and Sun Sep 16, 4 pm.
Benefit screenings – proceeds shared with Women in Film Cincinnati

    The annual LUNAFEST Film Festival returns with award-winning short films by women … about women explorers, filmmakers, athletes, immigrants, conservationists, scientists and artists.
   Reflecting our diverse world, viewers will encounter Native American, Hispanic, European, Arab, black and white American women and men.
   WIF filmmakers Abi Esmena, Jaime Meyers Schlenck, Sara Drabik and Tracy Songer will lead post-film discussions.
Lunafest has been well-received since we first brought the annual festival to Cincinnati in 2006. Please come out and support CWC, WIF and Lunafest.

☀ Trailer, tickets, film descriptions, speaker bios.
Two afternoons only at the Garfield, also available in our virtual cinema.