Maumee Indoor Theatre to showcase foreign films
Written by John Dorsey | | news@toledofreepress.com
ball rolling, they’ve chosen Giuseppe Tornatore’s “Cinema Paradiso.”
“Cinema Paradiso,” which won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1990, is the first in what is hoped to be a series that would, if successful, perhaps expand to the Maumee Public Library.
The film tells the story of the return to his native Sicilian village of a successful film director for the funeral of his old friend, who was the projectionist at the local movie theater. In addition to the Oscar, this international version won the Special Jury Prize at the 1989 Cannes Film Festival. The film contains subtitles.
“This is a charming film about a wonderful little movie, and we like to think of ourselves as a wonderful little movie house, so it’s a great fit,” said Theater Board Member Kate Oatis.
It was Oatis who first proposed the idea of a regular foreign film series to fellow board members a few years back. With a little help from the City of Maumee’s Tim Wagener and Jim Walter of Great Eastern Theatres, that idea has become a reality.
“We really want to be able to screen more films like this, but that will depend on attendance; patrons will have to come out and show us that they want to see these films,” Oatis said.
The theater, which is on the city of Maumee’s historic register, was originally founded in 1946. Today, after extensive renovations, it stands as a historic icon in Uptown Maumee. This restored art deco theater has become a center for visual and performing arts. Three unique rental spaces are available for business and social events and are handicap accessible.
“Cinema Paradiso” will run at 7 p.m. May 3 and May 6. Tickets will be available at the theater box office for $3. Call (419) 897-8901 or visit www.maumeeindoor.com.
