Behind the Screens May 2024
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Behind the Screens
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By Nicki Wilson
May 2024
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Hello Members, Supporters and Moviegoers,
We never thought when the community came together to save the Triplex that it would turn into the dynamic community hub that it has become. In addition to our regular screenings, our special event talkbacks have been providing some of the most interesting conversations in the Berkshires. In April alone, Triplex audiences were treated to a talkback by Gwendolyn Hampton Van Sant of Multicultural Bridge on racial justice issues after the screening of Origin, Playwright/Screenwriter Mark St. Germain and Artistic Director Jim Frangione of Great Barrington Public Theaterspoke of the creative differences of theatre and film after Freud's Last Session, Award-winning actress Karen Allen and Producer Brian Long had a moving conversation about the aging process after A Stage of Twilight, SAG award winner David Rasche and Ben Elliott discussed the value of political films after the showing of In the Loop, and the legendary Arlo Guthrie and director Matt Penn conversed on how Alice's Restaurant was a reflection of a generation's response to the Vietnam War. Also, Deborah Reinisch led a hugely successful and stimulating six week OLLI class at the Triplex on "The New American Cinema 1967 - 1980.” In all cases, after the talkbacks were over, many in the audience stayed in the lobby to continue the conversation that had been started in the theater itself.
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I'm pleased to say that May is already lining up to have some truly incredible community events. Our biggest event will be held on May 14th when we are to host Sam Kassow, a leading historian of Polish Jewry and the Holocaust, and Aaron Lansky, the founder and director of the world-famous Yiddish Book Center in Amherst, MA in a talkback after the showing of the documentary film Who Will Write Our History, which is based on Kassow's book of the same name. Kassow and Lansky are both highly respected in their fields and we are deeply appreciative that they are coming to the Triplex. Who Will Write Our History tells the true story of a secret group of journalists, scholars and community leaders who band together after the Nazis sealed 450,00 Jews in the Warsaw ghetto in 1940. Led by Emanuel Ringelblum, this clandestine group vows to defeat Nazi lies and propaganda, not with guns or fists but with pen and paper. After the talkback, Mr. Kassow will be signing books in the lobby. The Bookloft and the Yiddish Book Center will be providing the books.
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The community-owned Triplex is pleased to be able to carry on the tradition of hosting the Berkshire International Film Festival (BIFF) on May 31- June 2 that Richard Stanley (the former Triplex owner) started 18 years ago. Founder and Director of BIFF Kelley Vickery says that there will be “70+ remarkable films plus an impressive schedule of special events.” This year’s BIFF will also be honoring the amazingly talented James Ivory. Known for his brilliant collaboration with Ismail Merchant, the Merchant Ivory team went on to produce some of the most memorable films ever created. For more information about the festival go to biffma.org. Also, be sure and pick up the BIFF catalogue the next time you’re in the Triplex lobby.
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We’re excited to announce that JuJu’s, the fast casual eatery that will be adjacent to the Triplex lobby, will be opening just in time for the summer season. Set to have a soft opening on May 20th for family and friends, it will officially open to the public on May 22nd. Josh Irwin, the owner of JuJu’s, is the former owner of Cantina 229 and a partner in Mooncloud. Josh says he “could not be more excited to be bringing accessible, awesome and tasty food to Great Barrington.” JuJu’s will feature a specially created popcorn-sized fried chicken, as well as popcorn-sized fried vegetable treats, two salads packed with vibrant and delicious items and soft serve ice cream in cones and cups.”
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On May 11th the Triplex is delighted to present Shrek Day. Shrek and Shrek 2 will be screened with a special family ticket price of $5 per person which includes admission to both films. In addition to the screenings, thanks to Joshua Briggs, the director of the recent Du Bois Middle School’s musical production of Shrek: The Musical, the Triplex will be decorated with sets from the school’s production. Green “Shrek-themed” food will be available for purchase at the concession stand and Dreamworks, the creator of Shrek, is donating Shrek ears to all who attend. Everyone is welcome to come dressed as their favorite Shrek characters. Make sure and mark your calendars for what promises to be a fun Family Day Event.
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We will be offering the final show in our Berkshires at the Counterculture Series on May 9th. This program will be a collection of short films that have been shot in the Berkshires and many of them with local actors. It will be interesting to see how many folks can identify the locations and the actors in these films. Some of the films being included are by Sam Handel, Ted Marcus, Larry Burke, Ben Hillman, Laurie McLeod and Sanjiban. The evening will conclude with a talkback by some of the filmmakers.
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Jenn Goewey, the Director of Programs at Elizabeth Freeman Center, a domestic violence and rape crisis center serving Berkshire County and neighboring communities, will be at the Triplex on May 16th to lead a talkback after the screening of the film Shayda. Shayda tells the story of an Iranian immigrant woman in Australia, who has fled her abusive husband and is raising her young daughter as the two live in a woman’s shelter. The film was selected as the Australian entry for the Best International Feature Film category for the 2024 Academy Awards. The Triplex is grateful to be able to draw attention to this important organization and the work that they do for our community.
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Speaking of important work on behalf of the community, on Sunday, May 19th at 4pm, the Triplex will be hosting the Berkshire Community Land Trust’s Farmsteads for Farmers who will show the award winning regenerative farming film Kiss the Ground, which is marketed as “the most important film you’ll ever watch, offering a hopeful message about climate change and the impact of regenerative farming. The film will be followed by a panel moderated by Katy Sparks with Anna Houston, Elizabeth Keen, and Will Conklin.
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SPOTLIGHT ON THE TRIPLEX'S DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
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We are pleased to announce that we have hired Natalie Love to be our Director of Operations. Natalie, who originally hails from Ohio, has lived part time in the Berkshires since 2018 and full time for the past two years. Natalie is an arts administrator and avid movie lover, who has worked with such companies as Sarasota Opera Company, Wild Goose Creative, Third Rail Projects, and Shakespeare & Company. At Shakespeare & Company, Natalie was the Company Manager, the Internship Coordinator and Accessibility Coordinator. She is incredibly excited to work with such a new nonprofit organization and to become involved in the Great Barrington community. We are thrilled to welcome her aboard.
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In closing, it gives us great pleasure to announce an exciting one-week online auction that the Triplex will be hosting starting May 31st at 9am and ending on June 7th at 9pm. Already Karen Allen, Matt Penn,and Lauren Ambrose have donated one-of-a-kind items. More information will follow shortly. The Triplex will have a tent on its patio during BIFF with a list of auction items that you can bid on.
The upcoming auction is part of our effort to raise as much money as we can as soon as possible as we have a hefty mortgage payment due in July. If you are thinking of donating to the Triplex, now is the time. No donation is too small or too large. If you would like to speak to someone privately about a donation, please email me at nicki@thetriplex.org or else go to our website thetriplex.org. Remember, the Triplex is always here for the community, so please be here for the Triplex.
Hope to see you at the movies!
With gratitude,
Triplex Cinema Inc.
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