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Independent Distributors Kino Lorber, Film Distrib, Magnolia and Film Movement team up to help support local Alamo Drafthouse and Art House Theaters.

It has been fourteen days since my last shift at the Tempe, Alamo Drafthouse location in Arizona. Fourteen days since I last saw my co-workers, interacted with our guests or had a pint of local beer while conversing about movies with fellow movie lovers. I have been deprived of our (in)famous preshows, popcorn and pizza. But most of all, I miss the community our venues help build.

The Alamo Drafthouse isn’t a simple run-of-the-mill movie theater. It’s a cinematic house of worship, a place where folks from all walks of life come together and celebrate their shared, sincere love of film.

Adam Green kindly hugging me with artist Alex Pardee at the South Lamar Alamo

The Alamo is an epicenter of eclectic, original programming such as the Sunday Afternoon Tea screenings — complete with culture and finger sandwiches — followed by crazed, DIY filmmaking for Video Vortex and the salute to horror, Terror Tuesday.

It’s the home of engaging, energetic Movie Parties, themed food and drink specials and hosts some seriously coveted Q&As with the filmmakers, writers and stars we admire.

This is more than my place of employment, this is my home and has been since October of 2010.

Me and my Drafthouse family with Joe Bob Briggs and Darcy the Mail Girl at a screening of “How Rednecks Saved Hollywood”

I have met some of the most incredible people throughout my years at the various venues I have worked at in Texas and now here, in Arizona. Through this theater, I have gained a family, built from both guests and co-workers.

And when I first started with the Alamo way back when, I desperately needed that. I was consumed in the darkest of ways, but I began to find myself and enjoy life again.

I know my days at the Drafthouse, with its people and culture, helped initiate this profound enlightenment. Since day one, me and my complete fascination with all things horror have wholeheartedly been not only been accepted but embraced, and that continues to mean the world to me.

About two weeks ago, every Alamo Drafthouse Cinema had to make the movie screens go black and shut the doors.

Me and Lynn Lowry after a screening of “The Crazies” in Tempe

It was devastating to many to say the very least (I’m sitting here writing this with tears in my eyes). So many of us have lost a sense of home, belonging and an income; lost our livelihood. Also taking a hit are the independent filmmakers, their cast and crew, their projects, who all hoped to have Alamo play host to their unique releases. This whole current state of affairs is an uncertain clusterfuck for countless individuals and for cinema.

The Alamo Drafthouse has over forty locations, nearly half being franchise operations that are no less passionate about bringing the best movie going experience possible and promoting our die hard love of film.

Stepping up to help save independent cinema, its workers and the art house theaters that proudly feature these films are Kino Lorber, Film Movement, Magnolia and Distrib Films. Because of these companies, the Alamo and others, have the opportunity to earn some funds to assist in the hopeful reopening of many of our second homes in the way of a virtual ticket.

Me, filmmaker Ana Lily Amirpour and my brother Eric after a Rolling Roadshow screening of “The Bad Batch”

Currently, seven films are available to stream in the Virtual Cinema with a ticket price of $12 or less.

What is awesome about this endeavor, is that your ticket purchase directly benefits whatever Alamo or arthouse theater you choose. Just be sure to select your location before streaming!

Here’s what is available to watch so far:

CORPUS CHRISTI 

The Academy Award-nominated spiritual parable of Daniel. Fresh out of a youth detention center and unfit to serve in any official capacity in the clergy, he impersonates a priest in a small-town parish.

For tickets and more, visit http://drafthouse.com/phoenix/news/virtual-cinema-corpus-christi.

BALLOON

Following the crossing of the inner German border by the families Strelzyk and Wetzel from the GDR to West Germany in the summer of 1979. Desperate to leave the GDR, they flee in a homemade hot-air balloon. For tickets and more, visit http://drafthouse.com/phoenix/news/virtual-cinema-balloon.

ONCE WERE BROTHERS: ROBBIE ROBERTSON AND THE BAND

A confessional, cautionary, and occasionally humorous tale of Robertson’s young life and the creation of one of the most enduring groups in the history of popular music, The Band.

For tickets and more, visit https://drafthouse.com/phoenix/news/virtual-cinema-once-were-brothers-robbie-robertson-and-the-band.

THE WHISTLERS

Not everything is as it seems for Cristi, a police inspector in Bucharest who plays both sides of the law. Embarking with the beautiful Gilda on a high-stakes heist, both will have to navigate the twists and turns of corruption, treachery, and deception.

For tickets and more, visit https://drafthouse.com/phoenix/news/virtual-cinema-the-whistlers

THE PERFECT NANNY

Paul and Myriam hire Louise, an experienced nanny, to look after their two kids. But as Louise makes herself indispensable to the family, she starts revealing her true self and her behavior becomes more and more unsettling to those around her.

For tickets and more, visit https://drafthouse.com/phoenix/news/virtual-cinema-the-perfect-nanny.

THE WILD GOOSE LAKE

From acclaimed director Diao Yinan, THE WILD GOOSE LAKE is the eagerly anticipated follow-up to his 2014 Berlinale winning neo-noir BLACK COAL, THIN ICE.

For tickets and more, visit https://drafthouse.com/phoenix/news/virtual-cinema-the-wild-goose-lake.

BACURAU

The critically-acclaimed Jury Prize winner at last year’s 2019 Cannes Film Festival starring genre legend, Udo Kier.

For tickets and more, visit http://drafthouse.com/phoenix/news/our-first-virtual-cinema-title-is-bacurau.

AND COMING SOON TO STREAM…

EXTRA ORDINARY

Directed by newcomers Mike Ahern and Enda Loughman, and starring Maeve Higgins and SNL alum Will Forte, an endearing yet twisted film that takes the classic trope of demonic possession and grounds it in small-town Irish charm.


Be sure to visit drafthouse.com for news on more Virtual Cinema titles and the digital (returns) of Terror Tuesday and Weird Wednesday!

Also, don’t miss out on the FREE first episode of AGFA’s Secret Society where founder Joe Ziemba discusses, Sorority House Massacre.

In addition to streaming some phenomenal independent films for a good cause, folks have the option to unfreeze their Season Pass to the Alamo Drafthouse too, which goes in the Alamo Family Fund for corporate employees during this difficult time.

Like I mentioned before, the Drafthouse is home to some of the most incredible individuals I have had the pleasure of meeting and working beside. Home to unique programming, screenings and opportunities. If you’re in a position to stream to help save your local Alamo, and plan on doing so, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. And I know countless fellow employees thank you too.

#AlamoAtHome

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