ISSUE #99
BEAM FROM THE BOOTH | GRAND RAPIDS FILM SOCIETY
[EDITED BY: GRIFFIN SHERIDAN & SPENCER EVERHART]
Hello and welcome back to an all-new installment of BEAM FROM THE BOOTH brought to you by GRAND RAPIDS FILM SOCIETY!
Our May programming begins in just ONE WEEK on MONDAY (5/12) with David Lynch’s DUNE. Easily one of the most controversial works in the filmmaker’s career, come decide for yourself if it is worthy of the re-evaluation it has received from some in recent years.
Then, later this month, we’re thrilled to present our latest series: MAY’D IN MICHIGAN! Learn more about the series and films that are part of it in Jackson Ezinga’s piece further down.
COMING UP IN MAY 2025
MONDAY, MAY 12th: DUNE (1984)
[THE MAN FROM ANOTHER PLACE: A DAVID LYNCH RETROSPECTIVE]
In the year 10191, a spice called melange is the most valuable substance known in the universe, and its only source is the desert planet Arrakis. A royal decree awards Arrakis to Duke Leto Atreides and ousts his bitter enemies, the Harkonnens. However, when the Harkonnens violently seize back their fiefdom, it is up to Paul (Kyle MacLachlan), Leto's son, to lead the Fremen, the natives of Arrakis, in a battle for control of the planet and its spice. Based on Frank Herbert's epic novel.
MONDAY, MAY 19th: DINNER IN AMERICA
[MAY’D IN MICHIGAN]
An on-the-lam punk rocker and a young woman obsessed with his band unexpectedly fall in love and go on an epic journey together through America's decaying Midwestern suburbs.
TUESDAY, MAY 19th: ROUGH CUT NIGHT
[FREE SOCIAL EVENT]
There’s no substitute for seeing your work on the big screen. We’ve all been there; the night of the premiere and spirits are high, but then you see that shot you would have held for a few more frames, the sound design you would have bumped a few more dB’s now that you can feel the bass in the theater.
So here’s what we’re offering:
We’re opening Wealthy’s Koning Micro-Cinema to screen any rough cut of a short film (or a scene or two of a feature) and provide a fresh audience for filmmakers to use to gauge where their film is at. For free.
While we have already filled reservations to screen work at the event, we are starting a waitlist for folks who can be on standby should anyone who has signed up is unable to attend. Join the waitlist by emailing your information to matt@snowyinaugust.com.
We encourage anyone in the community to attend and share their thoughts to help filmmakers shape their films!
WEDNESDAY, MAY 28th: ESCANABA IN DA MOONLIGHT
[MAY’D IN MICHIGAN, FEATURING SPECIAL GUEST]
A macho man in a family on the eve of deer-hunting season must deal with the eldest son’s curse of never having bagged a buck.
This special screening will host the films cinematographer RICH BRAUER for a Q&A following the film.
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Tickets for all events — and more — are available now at GRFILM.ORG
Tell your friends. We hope to see you there!
“MAY’D IN MICHIGAN”:MOVIES MADE IN THE PALMS OF YOUR HANDS
[BY: JACKSON EZINGA]
The idea of hosting a series of films that were made in our great state of Michigan has been bounced around since we first starting programming films for the Grand Rapids Film Society. This month, we're kicking off our first Michigan-centric series with “May'd in Michigan”! As a Michigan filmmaker myself, I feel it's important to showcase and celebrate locally made films, and we're starting off with two exciting movies.
First off, on May 19th, we'll be screening the cult-classic-in-the-making Dinner In America (2020). Criminally underseen due to its release early in the pandemic, Adam Rehmeier wrote and directed this unconventional romantic comedy set in Metro Detroit that follows a punk rocker (Kyle Gallner) and an obsessed fan of his (Emily Skeggs) who fall in love and go on an unexpected and epic journey together through the decaying suburbs of the American Midwest. We’ll be joined after the screening by the film's gaffer, Grand Rapids’ own Marc-Antoine Serou, for a Q&A. This irreverent comedy was meant to be seen with an audience instead of the straight-to-streaming treatment it received, so we hope you're ready to rock the Wealthy Theatre for this West Michigan Premiere!
Our second film, Escanaba in da Moonlight (2001), will screen on May 28th. This uniquely Michigan film was written, directed, and stars iconic Michigander Jeff Daniels (Dumb and Dumber, Aracnophobia, The Squid and the Whale). This goofy and sometimes surreal ‘Yooper’ comedy follows Rueben Soady (Daniels) and his family and friends on the eve of deer hunting season as he attempts to bag his first buck, a shortcoming that has made him a pariah in his hunting-obsessed town. We’ll be joined after the screening by Rich Brauer, the film’s cinematographer, for production stories and a Q&A! This Michigan cult classic wrapped shooting twenty-five years ago, and we're excited to bring it back to big screen after a quarter-century!
Michigan isn't Hollywood, but these movies are proof that we don't have to be. Both of these films were made independent from the studio system and are just as entertaining — or even more! — than the industry films that hit the megaplexes every week. A big chunk of the cast and crew for these films are Michiganders whose blood, sweat, and tears brought us these movies that we can point to on our hands. We hope you join us in celebrating and supporting Michigan independent film this month!
UPCOMING EVENTS
DUNE (Lynch, 1984)
WHAT: Part of THE MAN FROM ANOTHER PLACE: A DAVID LYNCH RETROSPECTIVE. In the year 10191, a royal decree awards the planet Arrakis to Duke Leto Atreides and ousts his bitter enemies, the Harkonnens. However, when the Harkonnens violently seize back their fiefdom, it is up to Leto's son, Paul, to lead the Fremen, the natives of Arrakis, in a battle for control of the planet.
WHEN: Monday, May 12th, 8:00pm
WHERE: The Wealthy Theatre
DINNER IN AMERICA (Rehmeier, 2020)
WHAT: Part of the MAY’D IN MICHIGAN series. An on-the-lam punk rocker and a young woman obsessed with his band unexpectedly fall in love and go on an epic journey together through America's decaying Midwestern suburbs.
WHEN: Monday, May 19th, 8:00pm
WHERE: The Wealthy Theatre
WHAT: A FREE social event where local filmmakers have a chance to screen rough cuts of their current projects in front of a live audience!
WHEN: Tuesday, May 20th, 6:00pm
WHERE: Koning MicroCinema (in The Wealthy Theatre)
And so we’ve arrived at the end of another BEAM FROM THE BOOTH! We appreciate you taking the time to read it and truly hope you’ll continue to do so. Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to get each issue in your inbox every week, and stay up-to-date on all things GRFS.
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Look for the monumental ISSUE #100 in your inbox NEXT WEEK!
Until then, friends...
