by Peter Biskind A behind-the-scenes look at what has made The Crandell’s FilmColumbia Festival, approaching its 25th anniversary this fall, the toast of the town. Speaking for the Crandell board, I’m happy to assure Chatham’s movie lovers that the renovation slash restoration of the theater is proceeding on schedule, and will be finished in plenty of time for the theater’s 100th anniversary next year. Running a single-screen theater at a time when even the multiplexes are struggling to stay alive is no small thing, but with the help of our loyal audience, we’ve managed to scrape by, furnishing Chathamites with a regular diet of studio and indie hits, despite the fact that the big studios often demand that we run their films for two or three weeks, which is fatal to our box office. We’re particularly proud of our annual…
Live from The Berlinale: Films in Consideration for FilmColumbia25
by Larry Kardish The Berlin International Film Festival, known as the Berlinale, ended on Sunday, February 23, the day Germans went to the polls. I suppose this was appropriate, as the first Berlin Film Festival, which took place in 1951 on the initiative of an American serviceman in Berlin, a city then in ruins and divided into four districts each administered by an Allied occupying force, was established to “showcase” the culture of the “free world.” In short, the Festival began as a political gesture aimed at the civilian population of Berlin, and for the next seventy-four years, through the creation of West Germany and East Germany, and the building and the dismantling of the Berlin Wall, it has remained, more than less, an artistic event inflected by politics. This year, the 75th edition of the Berlinale, now under the…
VIDEO: Oscar-Winning Director Sean Baker’s Love Letter to Independent Cinemas
Bravo to Oscar-winning director Sean Baker for using his platform last night to remind us all why cinema in a movie theater matters, and for inspiring his peers and future filmmakers to continue making stories for the big screen. We couldn’t agree more!
John T. Lillis Elected President of Crandell Theatre, Inc.
(Chatham, NY — February 20, 2025) — The Crandell Theatre is pleased to announce the election of John T. Lillis (above) as President of Crandell Theatre, Inc. The board has also elected Ghent resident Amy Barr as a Director of the Crandell Theatre. “It is my honor to be given the opportunity to participate in leading the Crandell Theatre forward at this exciting moment in its history,” said Lillis. “The renovation project for the theater, which is nearing its 100th birthday, is proceeding on schedule for a Fall 2025 reopening. Plans are in process to expand the film and non-film programming to provide the community with important entertainment and educational experiences.” Reflecting on the past work of former president Lydia Kukoff, Lillis added, “I am grateful for the many years of strong Crandell leadership by my predecessor, Lydia Kukoff. Her…
The Berkshire Edge: Crandell Theatre Presents FilmColumbia 2024
October 11, 2024, Chatham, N.Y.— From Friday, October 18th to Sunday, October 27th, the Crandell Theatre presents FilmColumbia 2024. FilmColumbia is celebrating its 24th year with the year’s best upcoming American, international, and animated features, documentaries, and shorts. This year’s lineup includes a treasure trove of new films, breakouts, new and seasoned talent, and stellar standouts from the festival circuit that have not yet opened commercially, featuring 50+ exceptional new films and shorts you won’t see in wide release until later this fall and winter. Walton Goggins. Courtesy Crandell Theatre. The annual Kick-Off Party at the home of Crandell benefactor Jack Shear, to be held this year on Sunday, October 20th, will honor Emmy-nominated actor and area resident Walton Goggins, with appetizers and full buffet by Bimi’s Canteen. Tickets are available online. The festival is Friday, October 18th to Sunday, October 27th at the Crandell…
Chronogram: FilmColumbia Is Back For Its 24th Season at the Crandell Theatre in Chatham
By Remy Commisso Known for his action-packed films and morally gray characters, Walton Goggins is a dynamic actor whose supporting roles have earned him Emmy nominations in “Fallout” and “Justified.” With his new movie, The Uninvited, Goggins takes a break from playing compelling anti-heroes as the lead in Nadia Conner’s dramedy. Goggins, who moved to Columbia County during the pandemic, is this year’s honoree at FilmColumbia. At the 24th FilmColumbia, from October 18-27, over 50 pre-release films will be shown at Chatham’s Crandell Theatre. The programming has a wide range of insightful international films as well as domestic. All We Imagine As Light is an Indian film directed by Payal Kapadia about two hospital nurses in Mumbai navigating their love life, one who has a distant husband and the other in a taboo interfaith relationship. Read the Full Article in CHRONOGRAM’s October issue online…
Chronogram Fall Arts Preview
Film Columbia is highlighted in the opening spread of Chronogram’s Fall Arts Preview in its latest issue. Read the article in CHRONOGRAM’s October issue online
Hudson Valley Magazine: 8 Fabulous Fall Day Trips to Take in the Hudson Valley
By Francesca Furey The best time to be in the Hudson Valley is now! And whether you’re a foodie looking for you next great meal, a family craving adventure, a fall foliage lover, or an art connoisseur—these eight day trips will create unforgettable autumn memories. Arts, Culture & History Northern Columbia County Don’t Miss: A theatrical or musical event at PS21: Center for Contemporary Performance in Chatham. Also, FilmColumbia is showing flicks, advance screenings, and filmmaker-led panels at the historic Crandell Theatre from October 18–27. Read the article in HUDSON VALLEY MAGAZINE’s October issue online
Chronogram: 6 Films & Movie Events to Catch in October at Hudson Valley Indie Theaters
By Mike Burdge The Halloween season has officially begun, filled with pumpkin carving, pumpkin pies, and, of course, movies with pumpkins in them! No holiday is more associated with movie watching than the spooky season, with new releases in theaters and old favorites being screened for lovers and newcomers alike. The month of October also brings with it a small wave of indie releases from earlier film festivals that have acquired the proper buzz, allowing them limited and wide releases to spread evenly throughout autumn into the winter awards season. Whether it’s a spooky good time or a comfy night out at the movies, there’s no shortage of options. Here are six movie screenings to keep on your radar throughout the month of October at Hudson Valley indie theaters. The Rocky Horror Picture Show There are few films as rewatchable as…
Documentarian Ralph Arlyck and His Poignant Film I Like It Here Return to the Crandell on October 13 at 1 pm
(Chatham, NY—October 2, 2024)—Crandell LIVE! at the historic Crandell Theatre is pleased to welcome back documentary filmmaker Ralph Arlyck for an encore screening of his film I Like It Here, a poignant, poetic and deeply moving visual essay about the simple pleasures of being alive and the undeniability of aging as we pass through it. The screening on Sunday, October 13, is at 1 pm. Arlyck and Executive Director Brian Edward Leach will discuss the film and take audience questions following the screening. I Like It Here continues to screen on the festival circuit to much acclaim and recently opened in New York. Said The New York Times film critic Alissa Wilkinson in her review, “I Like It Here is loaded with gentle humor….[Arlyck] is doing precisely what great memoirists do: invite us into their stories as a way of…
Crandell Theatre Brings 1922 Horror Classic Nosferatu to Life with Live Musical Accompaniment on October 4
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Chatham, NY—September 26, 2024)—The Crandell Theatre in Chatham, NY, will go back to its roots on Friday, October 4 at 7 pm and screen the silent horror classic Nosferatu, directed by film pioneer F.W. Murnau (Sunrise, Faust). Musician and silent film historian Ben Model will accompany the film on theater organ, brought in for one very special night, allowing the audience to experience the film just as it sounded upon its original release in 1922. Nosferatu is an Expressionist fever dream full of looming shadows and emerging film techniques Murnau used to great effect. Unlike other silent film directors of the era, Murnau shot this unauthorized and freely adapted version of Bram Stoker’s Dracula on location, in the Carpathian mountains. He also used negative exposure, stop-motion and low-angle camera positions, to give his sinister, taloned vampire Graf…