Hello Everyone!

This Friday, we open a film from Finland by Aki Kaurismäki - FALLEN LEAVES.  This gem was a jury prize winner at Cannes and popped up on numerous "Top 10" lists in 2023...and it will likely land an Oscar nomination later this month.  Hurry down - it's only slated for a one-week engagement.

If you still need to see THE COLOR PURPLE, tomorrow (Thursday, Jan. 11) will be your last chance to catch it at THE NEON.  POOR THINGS will stick around for another week.

Next week, we hope to open both AMERICAN FICTION and ALL OF US STRANGERS.  Click either of these titles to read more and watch trailers for these films...we're excited about both of them!

"Open Caption Mondays" are back. On Monday, Jan. 15, POOR THINGS will be presented with captions on the screen (FALLEN LEAVES is subtitled for all screenings).  In addition, THE NEON does offer closed caption devices, audio assistance headphones, and narrative description headphones when films have these features available.  As a reminder, seating is only "reserved" for traditional engagements on weekends and during select special events.

Synopsis for FALLEN LEAVES: "The film tells the story of Ansa, a supermarket shelf-stocker on a zero-hour contract, later a recyclable plastic sorter, and Holappa, a sandblaster, an alcoholic, later an ex-alcoholic, whose paths have accidentally crossed and who, despite adversity and misunderstandings, try to build some kind of relationship on the harsher side of state welfare." Nominated for 2 Golden Globes and on several critics' "Top 10" lists for 2023, this film is only scheduled for one week!  IndieWire writes that "Kaurismäki's lovely ode to movies finds light in the darkness of modern life." Hurry down!

This Thursday January 11th 2024 at 7:30 PM, join us for DOC NIGHT, the annual showcase of non-fiction films by Wright State Motion Picture students.  "These eclectic shorts explore young entrepreneurs, the world of industrial marijuana farming, Ohio roadside attractions and a Veteran Army Trumpeter’s experiences  in Vietnam. Provocative, heartfelt and humorous, this evening of short films will be followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers. Tickets are $10, and additional donations are welcome and encouraged to support the Motion Picture Program." (taken from press notes)

TICKETS ARE FREE, BUT REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED!  "Presented in partnership with generous sponsors and expert panelists, Ohio Ecological Food & Farm Association Policy's Film Screening Series features four films in four Ohio cities.  Join OEFFA as they explore the many facets of our food and farming systems and highlight films that will raise awareness, inspire dialogue, and empower positive change. All screenings are free and open to the public.  On Sunday, January 14, 2024, at 3 p.m., the series will start with a screening of FOOD CHAINS at THE NEON. FOOD CHAINS takes a deep look at the living and working conditions of agricultural laborers in Immokalee, Florida—one of the nation's top tomato-producing regions and the epicenter of one of the most important fights for food workers' rights. Following the film, panelists will shed light on migrant labor and farmworker justice, sparking conservation and inspiring policy change." (taken from press notes)

TICKETS ONLY AVAILABLE IN-PERSON ON DAY OF SCREENING! Our special screening for Martin Luther King Day will be THE HATE U GIVE.  Our doors will open on Monday, Jan. 15 at 10:30am, and the screening will start at 11:00am.  The screening is FREE and targeted at engaging young people in thoughtfully watching a film and participating in a discussion following the movie.  "Starr Carter is constantly switching between two worlds -- the poor, mostly black neighborhood where she lives and the wealthy, mostly white prep school that she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is soon shattered when she witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend at the hands of a police officer." Sponsored by MLK Dayton, Inc. and THE NEON - with complimentary popcorn & drink provided courtesy of The RubiGirls.  Tickets will only be available at the door starting at 10:30am on Monday, Jan. 15.  1 ticket per person - seats can not be held for patrons who have not yet arrived.

This event is  SOLD OUT! 

A special screening of #BLACKSKIN, presented by Recovery Media, Inc., is set for Sunday, January 21 at 5:00. "A riveting narrative surrounding Minneapolis, a powder keg of police violence against Black men in America.  Multiple Black men's deaths are in the hands of the Minneapolis police. Produced by: Carole Copeland; Directed by: Marc Cayce; Starring Duane Finley, Cocoa Brown, Miguel Nunez, Bre'ana Simone & Sheldon Biley. Presented by Recovery Media, Inc. - a 501(C)(3) non-profit that provides survivors of trauma with healing and transformative experiences through learning the art and skill of filmmaking and storytelling. We are pleased to partner with Felons With A Future, Inc. to bring film and television media to formerly incarcerated persons here in Dayton and across the country.  We are excited about opening up the film and media industry here in this great city! This film premiere will serve as our introductory fundraiser to begin the process of helping this region to become a hub for the film, television and media industry." (taken from press notes)

ONE NIGHT ONLY!  "In this silent supernatural winter epic, a drunken applejack salesman must go from zero to hero and become North America’s greatest fur trapper to defeat hundreds of beavers." SCREEN-SPACE writes, "Cheslik and writer/leading man Tews craft a monochromatic masterwork ripe with the DNA of the silent film classics of Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd."
Joining us for this special screening on Tuesday, Feb. 12 at 7:30 will be the director, star and some of the beavers. The film is almost indescribable but it is a genuine hit at festivals (over 50 and mostly sold out shows from WI & Austin to Italy & Australia) with 100% reviews on RottenTomatoes!  Tickets are $12.50 - Available Now! Click the button below to watch the trailer and book your ticket!

I wanted to tell you all about this year's Valentine event today...but our team isn't quite ready to announce details yet.  Instead, you'll have to settle for this simple teaser image of what's in store.  You might remember that year's Valentine event sold out very quickly - and what we're planning this year is even bigger.  Stay tuned...and mark your calendars!

Written by Cincinnati native & Wright State grad Nick Pinkerton! "From acclaimed cinematographer-turned-director Sean Price Williams alongside stars Talia Ryder, Simon Rex, Ayo Edibiri, Jacob Elordi & more, comes THE SWEET EAST: A picaresque journey through contemporary America, undertaken by Lillian, a high schooler fleeing her senior class trip - granted access to the strange sects and cults that proliferate this country by gatekeepers eager to win her over."   Pinkerton will join us for this special one-time screening - Thursday, Feb. 15 at 7:30.  Tickets are $12.50 each.

"The Junior Leaguers Club of Dayton's 11th annual movie theater scholarship fundraiser is scheduled for February 17, 2024 at Noon. The documentary BLACK POWER MIXTAPE 1965-1975 will view history during the 60’s -70’s anti war and black power movements.  The filmmaker Gorman Hugo found the film canisters in a cellar beneath the Swedish National Broadcasting Co.  He accepted the responsibility to share this spectacular find with the world.  This documentary looks at society, culture, and  style of the cinematic and musical journey of the Black community.  The Swedish took an interest in the civil rights movement which was ignored by the US media and portrayed as a violent terrorist movement.  Their point of view is from an outsider but a committed group of  Swedish filmmakers.  The discussion following the movie will be facilitated by Larry and Osebesi Crowe." (taken from press. notes) The cost of this screening is $25. for adults and $10. for students.  This cost includes popcorn, soda, and wine for the adults. Tickets can be purchased from any Junior Leaguers Club of Dayton member or in person at THE NEON.

Thank you for all of your support!

Hope to see you soon,

Jonathan