Christine Whelan FEO, September 1, 2022, 2022, VOL. 4 ISSUE 1

The big screen will come alive again in Fort Erie this month with Monday Night at the Movies.

Kathryn Rogers, Chair of the Fort Erie Film Circuit, is excited to restore the magic of watching a premium film in a shared, community experience.

“We started planning for Monday Night at the Movies (MNM) in 2017.” Kathryn began. “Our first movie screening was in 2018. So, it took a year of planning. I knew from experience that it would take that year of planning.”

This is not the first time Kathryn has started a Monday Nights at the Movies series. “I formed a committee and brought the film circuit to Fenelon Falls when I lived there.” Kathryn moved to Fort Erie in 2016.

The Fort Erie committee doesn’t work in isolation. “We work in partnership with Film Circuit Division at Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). They are the ones who supply the films to us. We get a list of films that are available for the season. We choose our own films, what we think will work for our audiences. And then TIFF Film Circuit gets the distribution rights to us so that we can show the films.”

She explained what was involved in that year. “First of all, we have to assess the market to see if we had people here who would be interested in those kinds of films.”

Then, Rogers went looking for a venue. “It was very fortunate that the Greater Fort Erie Secondary School (GFESS) was opening up right at the same time that we needed a theatre,” referring to the 500-seat theatre that had been included in the development of the high school.

“So, I approached Fred Louws, the Principal of the school, and he was so enthusiastic.

“We also had to think about sponsors. We had to think about how we were going to promote our movie series.”

This is where, as Kathryn explained, Doug Reilly came in. “He has a lot of communications expertise. He’s been a tremendous strength for our committee since the beginning.”

The Chair of the committee has spent a lot of time networking in the community to get the word out. “This is where Hazel Reinhardt came in. Hazel is an artist. She’s associated with the Fort Erie Arts Council and knows all the cultural community groups.” Hazel has been able to facilitate introductions that have flourished into partnerships.

This is all put together by a group of volunteers. “The committee members just love movies and we want to share our passion for premium films with our community.”

The Films: The hidden gems.

What kind of films can people expect to watch on a Monday night? “What we show are the films that made it to the Toronto International Film Festival the previous year. They’re all current films. They’re Canadian and International films. They’re what I like to call, the hidden gems of the film industry.”

You won’t see them at the local cineplex because they’re not the big blockbuster films.

Restoring the Magic of the Big Screen

Kathryn described the committee’s focus for this year. “We want to provide films that focus on Canadian stories that reflect the diversity of our country. We want to restore the magic of watching a premium film on the big screen, in person, with friends and neighbours. We want to restore a shared community experience.”

The movies shown include mature themes. “Our films challenge people’s thinking, make them want to hold discussions afterwards. We want our audience members to enjoy themselves but we also want them to reflect on what’s going on in our society and what are the challenges in our society, trying to tie in the issues of the day.”

The First Movie

The first movie to be screened this month is called Run Woman Run. It’s a Canadian film about an Indigenous, single mother who is trying to reconnect with her son and her sister. At the same time, she’s struggling with a diabetes diagnosis.

“She decides that she is going to take control of her life. And her solution is to train for running a marathon, even though she’s never run before in her life.” Kathryn explained that, even though the film is a drama, it’s also a comedy, as well as inspirational.

“The screening is September 26th and September 30th is Orange Shirt Day as well as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. So, we will be honouring those two days with this film and we are encouraging our members to wear orange that night.”

Partnerships

Kathryn painted a picture of the MNM experience. “We screen at the Meridian Centre for the Arts which is at GFESS. The movie starts at 7:00pm. The box office opens at 6:00. In that hour between opening and screening, The Crystal Ball Beach Cafe offers complimentary coffee and treats. This facilitates that whole community connection because people come, get a coffee and sit at bistro tables, at the school, or in the lobby. They can have a nice chat or meet their neighbours. It is a buzz with conversation.”

The cafe asks for donations which are given to the Crystal Beach Beautification Committee.

“So, you see, we really do try to make this a community event. Sort of a grassroots arrangement where it benefits everyone. We’re trying to bring people together, community together, and create partnerships that benefit.”

Another partnership, “The Fort Erie On-Demand Transit will be available to take people to the theatre and home afterwards.” The service is $3.00 each way. “They will be staying open on those nights to accommodate.”

Monday Night at the Movies is scheduled for every last Monday of every month from September to November, then from January to May. Tickets are $10 each or 3 for $25.

To learn more, go to: www.tiffinforterie.com, Sign up for their newsletter and stay in the MNM loop.” You can also find them on Facebook under Monday Night at the Movies.”