Are you feeling bored with TikTok, YouTube, and Netflix? If so, you might find something new and interesting to watch in the upcoming screening schedule for the Lucas and Trustees Theaters. These movie theaters will host an eclectic mix of contemporary indies, cult classics and staggering blockbusters — so if you’re looking for a change of pace, take the time to catch a film at one of Savannah’s historic picture houses.
Starting Friday, March 27, at 7 p.m., the Trustees Theater is showing selections from the 45th Anniversary Edition of the Thomas Edison Film Festival. Formerly the Black Maria Film Festival, TEFF curates shorts by filmmakers from around the globe, encompassing a wide range of genres and styles. The titles shown at Friday’s screening are a mystery — except that three of the films are from SCAD alumni — so you really won’t know what you’re getting until the lights have dimmed. Two weeks later, on April 10 at 7 p.m., the Trustees is screening Sofia Coppola’s fashion-focused first documentary, “Marc by Sofia.” The following Thursday at the same time, it’s the wondrous classic animation, “The Secret of NIMH.” Though the first rule of this movie is that you don’t talk about it, “Fight Club” will be shown on April 25 at 7 p.m. in all of its angsty, Y2K-coded glory, with a Q&A with visual effects supervisor Gray Marshall before the screening.
Just around the corner, the Lucas Theatre is playing three different, but equally influential, titles in less than the span of a week. In honor of the late Bud Cort, 1971’s “Harold and Maude” is being shown on April 30 at 7.pm. This darkly comedic and quirky tale of an unlikely pair, all set to the tunes of Cat Stevens (Yusuf), didn’t get much attention in its original theater run, but its life-affirming legacy still shines through today. On May 3 at 2 p.m., you can witness cinematic history on the big screen with 1927’s “Wings,” the first ever film to win the Oscar for Best Picture. Accompanied by a live organ performance of the film’s score, you’ll get the opportunity to experience this thrilling WW1 romance just as audiences did nearly a century ago. Lastly, in observance of “May the 4th”, it’s “Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones” at 7 p.m. If you were born too late to see this one back in 2002, then you’re in luck. You’ll have the chance to take in the bustling futuristic cityscape of Coruscant or sprawling clone armies just as George Lucas intended.
Each of these events comes at a relatively affordable price as well. All showtimes offer student discounts with tickets ranging from $5 to $10, and concessions won’t break the bank either. Both theaters offer popcorn, candy and drinks at reasonable prices, but be warned, the seats do NOT have cup holders.
Although Gen Z has come to know most of these films through TV or streaming, there’s nothing quite like seeing a celebrated movie on the silver screen and in a communal setting.
