» Lowell Film News

A Memorial Day / John Wayne’s 105th birthday movie matinee at Pollard Library – TODAY (May 26)

lowellfilm — Sat, 26 May 2012 14:04:03 +0000

OPERATION PACIFIC (1951)
Saturday, May 26 @ 1PM
Pollard Memorial Library
401 Merrimack Street, Lowell
Free admission!

If your Saturday plans have you craving a classic film, head over to Lowell’s Pollard Memorial Library for their special FREE Memorial Day Weekend Matinee and film tribute to The Duke on his 105th birthday (hard to believe, right?) In today’s feature, all-American icon John Wayne (born Marion Robert Morrison) joins the beautiful Patricia Neal in the 1951 Operation Pacific, critically considered to be Wayne’s finest film.

The Pollard Memorial Library is most excellent at selecting great titles for all of us to enjoy during all occasions, and free admission to boot, courtesy of the Friends of the Pollard Library. Our big thanks to Lowell’s local treasure (and a Kerouac haunt) for bringing fabulous film to the Mill City. And by the way, be sure to mark your calendars for the 2nd Thursday of each month for the library’s monthly Independent Film Night … their next indie film date is Thursday, June 14!

ALTSIE wants to turn your cafe, pub, or art gallery into an independent movie theater — they’re after our own indie film hearts!

lowellfilm — Tue, 22 May 2012 13:05:54 +0000

Film friends: Now THIS is interesting. Get to know the newly launched (March 19) small business Altsie — the new way of turning any venue into a one-night independent movie house. Hmm, aren’t we already doing this in Lowell? I guess you could say we are, given that the LFC has been setting up film shop in any place the Mill City will let us, given Lowell’s lack of its own movie house. The folks at Altsie, though, want to bring this concept to the masses in a bigger way and they’re doing it in Minneapolis and Las Vegas. It truly is quite admirable and cool — anyone who brings indie film to the people while supporting indie filmmakers gets an A+ in our book!

Learn all the details on Altsie right here via their blog — we know you’ll be intrigued (and maybe just a little bit familiar, wink-wink) with their mission of bringing “Cinema Everywhere.” We’ll be keeping up with these guys for sure!

Dear Altsie: the Lowell Film Collaborative is right there with you!

“Tough Love: A Meditation on Dominance and Dogs” premieres in Lowell with local filmmaker Chad Montrie, June 26

lowellfilm — Mon, 14 May 2012 05:59:13 +0000

Join us for the regional premiere!

TOUGH LOVE: A MEDITATION ON DOMINANCE AND DOGS
Special Guests: Director Chad Montrie & Editor Nathan Hendrie
Tuesday, June 26 @ 7PM
Lowell, MA — Location TBA
Free admission!

We’ve been anxiously awaiting the premiere of this very unique documentary by our friend, documentarian, and fellow cinephile Chad Montrie, a Lowell resident and professor of history at UMass Lowell. His newest work, Tough Love: A Meditation on Dominance and Dogs, will have its regional premiere right here in the Mill City on Tuesday, June 26 at 7PM (at a soon-to-be-disclosed location) and has a Boston premiere in the works. We’ll be sure to update everyone on the local venue for June 26 and on additional details as they arise.

Filmmaker and UMass Lowell Professor Chad Montrie.

We’ll be posting the official press release in the next couple of days, but for now, we invite you to learn more about Chad’s project by visiting Anchorholdfilms.com. We’re sure you’ll be amazed at the subject matter, which should be a very special treat for all you dog-lovers as well as anyone at all curious about the human condition.

More details to come, friends! For now, please SAVE THE DATE and help us spread the word about this highly anticipated film event.

“Before Your Eyes” screens at Pollard Library for Independent Film Night, May 10

lowellfilm — Mon, 07 May 2012 12:55:00 +0000

BEFORE YOUR EYES (2010)
Thursday, May 10 @ 6:30PM
Pollard Memorial Library
401 Merrimack Street, Lowell
Free admission!

Every second Thursday of the month is Independent Film Night at Pollard Memorial Library here in downtown Lowell, giving all us film lovers a great opportunity to stretch our indie film wings and enjoy great foreign fare and film fest titles. Indie Film Night comes to all of us FREE of charge, courtesy of the Friends of the Pollard Library, so mark your calendars for the second Thursday of every month for an indie film fix right here in the Mill City!

ABOUT THE FILM
Ten year old Gulistan and her brother Firat live in the heart of Turkish Kurdistan. Tragedy strikes when their parents are shot down by paramilitary gunmen before their very eyes. Traumatized and orphaned, Gulistan and Firat try to care for their infant sister, but their money soon runs out and they’re forced onto the street. It is there that Gulistan meets the part-time escort Dilara. Accompanying her on a hotel call one day, Gulistan is shocked to recognize Dilara’s client as the murderer of her parents, and she devises a method of revenge. Miraz Bezar’s award-winning film will be presented in Turkish & Kurdish with English subtitles.

Click here to view the film trailer and to learn more about Bezar’s remarkable film.

We’ve scheduled a last-minute film screening! Join us TODAY for “The Economics of Happiness” at City Hall in Lowell!

lowellfilm — Sat, 05 May 2012 04:21:29 +0000

THE ECONOMICS OF HAPPINESS (2011)
Saturday, May 5
10:30AM: Speaking Program, City Hall steps
11:30AM: Film Screening, Mayor’s Reception Room
Lowell City Hall, 375 Merrimack Street
Free event!

Part of the Global Awareness for Climate Change event
“Connect the Dots”
taking place around the world on May 5!

Today on May 5, 2012, people around the world are volunteering, documenting, educating and protesting to support communities on the front lines of climate change! Record-breaking heat waves in Russia, wildfires in Australia, floods in Thailand. Every time we pick up the newspaper and read about another record-breaking natural disaster, it becomes increasingly clear that climate change is not a future problem — it’s happening right now. “Connect the Dots” is a project of 350.org and partner organizations to shine a spotlight on the connections between extreme weather and climate change. We will use those connections to issue a wake-up call for our communities, the media, and our politicians. We’ll kick off the project with Climate Impacts Day on 5/5/12, when thousands of communities around the world come together to take action to Connect the Dots and call for urgent action to stop the climate crisis.

Who: You, your neighbors, family, friends, and the rest of climate movement.
What: Actions – rallies, presentations, art projects, and more – that help your community connect the dots between extreme weather and climate change.
Where: All over the world.
When: May 5, 2012 (and beyond)
Why: Because climate change is not a future problem. It is happening right now, and it is devastating communities around the world.

Join us for this FREE public event in Lowell and be one of thousands around the world participating in this “day of action” in support of climate change awareness!

Visit ClimateDots.org to learn more!

Lowell Folklife Series presents Indian Food Traditions with guest speaker & film screening of “Monsoon Wedding,” May 4

lowellfilm — Tue, 01 May 2012 04:30:05 +0000

TONIGHT!

Lowell National Historical Park presents

Sweet Happiness: Wedding Foods in India
with Guest Speaker Krina Patel PLUS a film screening of

MONSOON WEDDING (2001)

Friday, May 4 @ 7:30PM
Lowell National Historical Park Visitor Center
246 Market Street, Lowell
Free admission!

Come meet and be inspired by artist and educator Krina Patel as she shares her passion for Indian Food Traditions, most especially the traditional sweets that are central to a Hindu wedding in India. Please note that your tastebuds will ALSO be treated, as Ms. Patel will also bring luscious samples of typical Indian wedding foods for all to enjoy!

After Ms. Patel’s talk, we know you’ll be inspired to stay for a special screening of the breathtaking award-winning film Monsoon Wedding, which beautifully captures the sounds, smells, and sights of an Indian wedding ceremony while emotionally engaging you with a compelling storyline. We hope you’ll join us for this next great event of the 2012 Lowell Folklife Series, presented by Lowell National Historical Park!

This great event is FREE and open to the public and proudly co-sponsored by the Lowell Film Collaborative.

A mighty great time was had by all at our April 18 “Mighty Uke” screening in Lowell!

lowellfilm — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 13:34:47 +0000

S P E C I A L T H A N K S !

To Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union for opening their doors to us –
To Tony & Margaret for creating a remarkable film –
To Don for sharing his beautiful uke music collection –
To Dan for leading a fabulous strum-a-long –
To Caroline, Rita and Howl in Lowell for the great coverage –
and finally
To all the UKERS & UKE-lovers who came out to celebrate music, film & community –

WE THANK YOU — last night was absolutely amazing!

The "Mighty Uke" crowd arrives!

Don Ouellette shares his uke memorabilia. Great stuff!

The "Mighty Uke" brought the folks out in droves!

The crowd is entranced ...

Dan Mathis preps the post-film strum-a-long. Thanks, Dan!

Fun strumming with Dan (for all ages!)

This young man DAZZLED us with his playing. Amazing!

We were THRILLED to bring The Mighty Uke to Lowell — thank you all once again for making what we do so much fun and fulfilling, and for allowing us to share the wonder of cinema! We hope to see you again SOON!

Award-winning documentary “Miss Representation” screens at UMass Lowell South Campus, April 12

lowellfilm — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 12:43:12 +0000

We’re always thrilled to promote local and area film events, especially when their messaging is so powerful. We recently had the great fortune of meeting Susie Paterson, President of the Psychology Graduate Student Organization (PGSO) at UMass Lowell, who informed us she was hosting a film screening on campus on behalf of the organization. The event is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, so please consider joining us next Thursday, April 12 at 7:30 for Miss Representation, the award-winning, groundbreaking documentary that premiered at Sundance in 2011. Below is PGSO’s invitation and information on the screening — we hope to see you there!

MISS REPRESENTATION
Thursday, April 12 @ 7:30PM
UMass Lowell South Campus
Weed Hall, 3 Solomont Way
Lecture Hall 1

Driving directions & parking information (PDF)

The Psychology Graduate Student Organization (PGSO) is hosting the ground-breaking film Miss Representation. This 90-minute documentary examines the influence of the media on women’s participation in leadership roles in the United States. This description, taken from the website, missrepresentation.org, explains:

“In a society where media is the most persuasive force shaping cultural norms, the collective message that our young women and men overwhelmingly receive is that a woman’s value and power lie in her youth, beauty, and sexuality, and not in her capacity as a leader. While women have made great strides in leadership over the past few decades, the United States is still 90th in the world for women in national legislatures, women hold only 3% of clout positions in mainstream media, and 65% of women and girls have disordered eating behaviors.

Stories from teenage girls and provocative interviews with politicians, journalists, entertainers, activists and academics, like Condoleezza Rice, Nancy Pelosi, Katie Couric, Rachel Maddow, Margaret Cho, Rosario Dawson and Gloria Steinem build momentum as “Miss Representation” accumulates startling facts and statistics that will leave the audience shaken and armed with a new perspective.”

PGSO will be screening the film on Thursday, April 12th, 2012 in Weed Hall, Lecture Hall 1, from 7:30-10:00 p.m. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided. A discussion will be held after the screening for those interested. If you will be part of a large group, we kindly request an RSVP with the number of people to pgso@uml.edu so space can be reserved.

Lowell journalist Nancye Tuttle talks “Lowell Movie Houses” TODAY at 11a.m. on 980AM WCAP!

lowellfilm — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 07:52:06 +0000

Lowell journalist & cinephile, Nancye Tuttle.

Fellow film fans, get yourselves to a radio or get access to a computer (for radio streaming) at 11AM today and hear Lowell journalist Nancye Tuttle on Merrimack Valley Radio 980AM WCAP talk Lowell movie houses with Guy Lefebvre, owner of Lowell Gallery. For anyone itchin’ to know more about Lowell’s amazing cinematic history, which includes the presence of over 40 theaters since the early 1900s, this radio segment is not to be missed!

Here’s an added bonus: Did you know that the current location of 980 WCAP on Central Street was adjacent to Lowell’s renowned Theatre Voyons from 1908-1916? We’re sure our dear friend and film supporter Nancye will make mention of this as she sits right in the spot where thousands of turn-of-the 20th century movie-goers once sat. For those familiar with this part of Central Street — 241 through 245 — you’ll know that WCAP sits right above Cappy’s Copper Kettle, and it’s within this complex that Theatre Voyons once stood.

Below is detailed info on what may have been considered Lowell’s theater district plus great photos of that section of Central Street, known as Tower’s Corner. The yellow arrow marks the Theatre Voyons, which was across the street from the Owl/Rialto Theater. Today, most of you may know the Rialto building as the B&M Railroad structure now owned by Middlesex Community College.

Theatre Voyons (ca. 1908) in Tower's Corner, now the current site of Cappy's Copper Kettle & WCAP.

(Courtesy of Cinema Treasures) | The Theatre Voyons, owned by J. S. Kittredge, was located at 241 Central St. in Tower’s Corner across from the B&M Depot from 1908 to 1916. It was located in a four-story brick building built by the Greenwood Brothers in the 1870s. According to the book “Americanizing the Movies and ‘Movie-mad’ Audiences, 1910-1914” by Richard Abel, industrial films were prominent in Lowell as were natural history series. Pathe’s “famous” Wild Birds in Theit Haunts (in color) was advertised at the Voyons in Lowell. Yet travel films were by far the m ost popular of all. In Lowell, the Voyons gave its audiences views of distant countries from Finland to Indochina, while the Scenic offered nostalgic “tours” of Ireland and Naples Italy.

A larger view up Central Street of the Tower's Theater District, ca. 1912, with the Owl Theater (left) and Voyons across the street (right side of the photo).

The site of the Voyons Theatre and building is now occupied by Cappy’s Copper Kettle at 245 Central and Merrimack Valley Radio WCAP. The current building may be the original with the top two floors removed and a new facade. Additionally, either next door or upstairs in the same building at 245 Central St. was the Funnyland Theatre which also operated in 1908 and 1909 and was the La Scala Theatre until 1911. As an aside, ”Voyons” is the French word for “see.”

WCAP & Cappy's Copper Kettle today, former home of the Theatre Voyons.

Stay tuned for more photos and fabulous Lowell movie history in future posts. In the meantime, we invite you to read Nancye Tuttle’s comprehensive and amazing piece, Movie Houses on the Merrimack, which she wrote for her 1993 exhibit “Picture It: Lowell Goes to the Movies” at Lowell’s Patrick J. Mogan Cultural Center. We are absolutely blessed to know Nancye, and are indebted to her for her support of the Lowell Film Collaborative, her love of the movies, and for being the keeper of Lowell’s remarkable movie history. Thank you, Nancye, and we’ll be listening today!

Lowell National Historical Park’s Folklife Series presents “Scenes from a Parish” with Director Q&A, April 11

lowellfilm — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 05:00:56 +0000

SCENES FROM A PARISH (2009)
Presented as part of the Lowell Folklife Series
Special Guest: Director James Rutenbeck
Wednesday, April 11 @ 7:30PM
Lowell National Historical Park
246 Market Street, Lowell
Free admission!

Director James Rutenbeck brings his documentary to Lowell on April 11.

The Lowell Film Collaborative first premiered Scenes from a Parish in May 2009 to a sold-out crowd and with director James Rutenbeck as our special guest. It was an emotional, exciting event, which makes us even more proud to be bringing this poignant, award-winning documentary back to the Mill City in partnership with Lowell National Historical Park. Rutenbeck’s complicated and beautiful film was shot entirely on location in Lawrence, MA, at Saint Patrick Parish on the cusp of the grand opening of the Parish’s state-of-the-art meal center, Cor Unum. Today, Cor Unum stands as a tribute to the community and serves hundreds of citizens every day, 7 days a week — TRULY an inspiration. Presented as part of the National Park’s 2012 Lowell Folklife Series program titled “Gateway Cities: When Neighborhoods Change,” this special program will feature an in-person appearance by James Rutenbeck who comes back to downtown Lowell for this encore presentation of his powerful documentary.

ABOUT THE FILM
“Love thy neighbor just got a whole lot harder.” In 2001, an irreverent, young, Harvard-educated Catholic priest arrived at Saint Patrick Parish in the hard-pressed former mill town of Lawrence, Massachusetts. Father Paul O’Brien soon discovered that trying to foster an inclusive community amidst the ethnic tensions of this working-class, multicultural parish would be no mean feat. Older parishioners like Edna McGregor were resentful of a new generation of immigrants—people like the tattooed Elvys Guzman, a former gang-banger from Santo Domingo—who was seen playing basketball with other Latino teenagers in the parish center. Meanwhile more idealistic parishioners like Peggy Oliveto were trying to reach out to those in need but faced cultural entanglements that grew more complicated with the passage of time. Filmed over four years, Scenes from a Parish explores the personal stories a Catholic parish struggling to reconcile the ideals of faith with the cultural realities of a globalized United States.

Critical praise for Scenes from a Parish:

“The Vatican is trying to rouse Catholics’ ire toward Ron Howard’s upcoming ”Angels and Demons” without giving the blockbuster drama exactly the publicity it craves. Here’s an idea then: Steer the faithful, and everyone else, to Scenes from a Parish …. It raises more questions about the church’s place in a changing world — and touches more emotions doing so — than any big-budget studio folderol.” — Ty Burr, Boston Globe. Read the full review: Click here

“You don’t need to be religious to be moved by the spirit of Father Paul O’Brien, head pastor, a Harvard graduate who finds his calling amid the unemployed, in the poorest city by far in Massachusetts. Yes, there are problems at Saint Patrick’s: drugs, alcoholism, homelessness, and some resentment of the Hispanic newcomers from the aging Irish. But there’s hope, too, and parishioners turn their lives around, because Father Paul is an exemplary priest, and a movie hero as well.” — Gerald Peary, Boston Phoenix. Read the full review: Click here

“Filmmaker James Rutenbeck’s newest film, Scenes from a Parish, is a deeply felt homage to the nuances of small town life and the role faith plays when meeting the challenges that life presents. In the rhythms and rituals of a Catholic church in a small New England town, we see how people face change while trying to maintain tradition. Rutenbeck’s immersion in the subject lends his film dignity and insight, allowing his viewers a fresh understanding of the complex interplay between faith and family.” — Cara Mertes, Director, Sundance Documentary Film Program

Read about the MAKING of Scenes from a Parish via PBS’ Independent Lens: click here