I'm in Portland (ME) for a screening of We Pedal Uphill. I have to say I'm really loving this city. The vibe during the post-screening Q&A last night reminded me of Cleveland. Really smart people with new and unusual ideas about a film I'd made a couple years ago, a film I thought I knew inside and out. One of the best parts of bringing a film out to these venues is that I really learn a lot from the audience. These folks were so insightful and thought-provoking. I could've sat and chatted with them for hours.
The venue where we screened is also lovely. The auditorium at the Portland Museum of Art. The staff were friendly and the museum is amazing. Right next door is the Maine College of Art, which definitely looks like a cool place to be a student.
The Movies at the Museum series is run by Steve and Judy Halpert who used to run Movies on Exchange, which was a truly independent (single screen!) art house on Exchange Street in downtown Portland. Last year, they closed up shop and moved their operations to the museum. As Steve Halpert told me, they went from programming 30 screenings a week to 3. Quite an adjustment. Why'd they shut down? The multiplex down the road started copying their programming and competing for indie product.
But from the healthy crowd that showed up last night for a 6:30pm screening, it's clear they have a loyal following. That sort of thing is endangered in this country where multiplexes dominate in every way imaginable. One thing we often forget when we put our $10 down at the multiplex is that many distributors favor them over the old indie art houses because with 12 screens, they can more easily keep their product up for longer. And they often can negotiate better terms since they're negotiating with a big chain that's also showing blockbusters.
That's why just as I would argue against conscientious moviegoers going to see Batman Returns at the small art house, it also seems we ought to think twice before seeing the latest Cannes Palm d'Or at the multiplex. Every time we do, we're hurting the independently owned theatre that has to fight to acquire those titles.
Today I'll be walking around exploring more. But so far, this feels like a city I could really sink my teeth into.
(footnote: In August, I'll be visiting Scranton, PA where the film will screen at the wholly-independent Vintage Theatre. Curious what that'll be like.
