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FILL THE VOID Opening at THE NEON!

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51c0c6039431c-blog-fillthevoid-092112Hello Everyone,

We’re moving along this week. On Friday (Aug. 9), we will open a lovely new Israeli film called FILL THE VOID.

Synopsis for FILL THE VOID: “Fill the Void tells the story of an Orthodox Hassidic family from Tel Aviv. Eighteen-year-old Shira is the youngest daughter of the family. She is about to be married off to a promising young man of the same age and background. It is a dream-come-true, and Shira feels prepared and excited. On Purim, her twenty-eight-year-old sister, Esther, dies while giving birth to her first child. The pain and grief that overwhelm the family postpone Shira’s promised match…When the girls’ mother finds out that Yochay may leave the country with her only grandchild, she proposes a match between Shira and the widower. Shira will have to choose between her heart’s wish and her family duty.” Peter Rainer of The Christian Science Monitor wrote, “The sheer force of artistry has the power to convert outsiders into insiders. I left Fill the Void feeling privileged, however briefly, to have been brought into this world.” It’s quite possible that FILL THE VOID will only play for one week. I hope you’ll hurry down!  Click the image above to be directed to the film’s official site.

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“Roger Brown — the greatest basketball player Dayton has ever known — will be inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame on Sept. 8. Without the love and sacrifice of 84-year-old Daytonian Arlena Smith, it wouldn’t be happening. Join us at THE NEON on Aug. 15 at 7:30 for a benefit screening of the acclaimed documentary UNDEFEATED: THE ROGER BROWN STORY, with all proceeds going toward Arlena Smith’s trip to Springfield, Mass., for Brown’s Hall of Fame induction. Arlena and her late husband Azariah could not have children of their own, so they regularly welcomed troubled teenagers into their modest West Side home. One of those was Roger Brown. Among the greatest young basketball players in New York City history, Brown in 1961 had been unfairly implicated in a gambling scandal just as he was finishing his freshman year at the University of Dayton. Though never charged with a crime, he was kicked out of school and banned for life by the NBA. The Smiths came to the rescue. They opened up their home, found Brown a job, gave him the strength to move on. And finally, Brown bloomed anew. In 1967, he became the first player of the ABA’s Indiana Pacers. He led them to three championships, and became an Indianapolis City Councilman. All along, until his death at age 54 of cancer, Brown credited the Smiths — his ‘second parents’ — for making it possible.” (taken from press notes) Mark your calendars now! Tickets, just $10 each, are now available at our box office and at EbonNia Gallery.

The FilmDayton Festival is putting their marketing pieces into play, and they’re gearing up for another great festival. Film screenings will take place at THE NEON, but the festival is about a whole lot more…and it’s scheduled for August 23-25. Check out their line-up on the official site.

And speaking of FilmDayton, WSU’s Annual Big Lens Film Festival will kick off the festival this year. “The 21st Annual Big Lens Film Festival will premiere on Thursday, August 22nd at the THE NEON…Every year, Big Lens screens a selection of the very best short films to come from the Wright State University Motion Picture program, and this year is no different! Ranging from documentary to narrative, these six films cover a wide variety of subjects and emotions. There will be two screenings shown concurrently, one at 7:30pm and one at 8:00. Following the screenings, there will be a Q&A with the filmmakers, emceed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Julia Reichert. Tickets to either screening are $7 each, and will soon be available at THE NEON. Some films may contain adult content.” (taken from Big Lens press notes)

We hope to see you this weekend!

All the best,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri, Aug. 9 – Thurs, Aug. 15:

FILL THE VOID (PG) 1 Hr 30 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30
Monday – Wednesday: 3:15, 5:30, 7:45
Thursday: 3:15, 5:30

THE WAY WAY BACK (PG-13) 1 Hr 43 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:30, 2:45, 5:00, 7:15, 9:30
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:15, 7:30

UNDEFEATED: THE ROGER BROWN STORY
(NR) 1 Hr 30 Min + Discussion
Thursday: 7:30

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
Aug. 16 – I’M SO EXCITED

Aug. 23 – BLUE JASMINE

TBD – BLACKFISH

TBD – THE HUNT

TBD – FROM UP ON POPPY HILL

TBD – IN THE HOUSE

Rubi Girls Event Features Film

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Film is a powerful medium for education, advocacy and entertainment. Jonathan McNeal, who many know as the manager of The MakeUpNeon Movies downtown, is a filmmaker with a story to tell. He created a short that shared some of the stories of the Rubi Girls and their great work in HIV/AIDS awareness and entertainment. McNeal’s film is a centerpiece of a special event planned for August 3 – their Decade of Decadence Party.

The Rubi Girls documentary premiered in San Francisco in 2003 and has garnered awards and played around the world. In celebration of the tenth anniversary, The Rubi Girls invite you to their Decade of Decadence Party and Film Screening. Combining live performance, interview and archival footage, the documentary not only traces the history of the group and their madcap antics, but also attempts to redefine the term family values. The evening will include the film screening, a live Rubi Girls show and a Q&A followed by the kind of after party you’d expect to be thrown for this milestone event. The after party will include a DJ, a few additional Rubi performances, hors d’ouvres catered by Veritas Events, operator of Roost and Leo Bistro at The Dayton Art Institute, cash bars and other terrific Rubi surprises. (More info and tickets)

The Rubi Girls are Dayton’s beloved, comedic drag troupe…who now have helped to raise over 1 Million Dollars for HIV and LGBT-related causes.  What started as something just for laughs on Rubicon Street in the late 1980’s has blossomed into a FUNdraising phenomenon. FilmDayton spoke to filmmaker and Rubi Girl Jonathan McNeal to learn more about the evening and his experience with how his film has sparked conversation and advocacy.

Q: How long have you been involved with the Rubi Girls and what has your experience been like?

I’ve been with The Rubi Girls since the late 1990’s.  I was a fan first…a groupie even.  Once they found out I was a film student, they asked me to start videotaping their shows.  Eventually, as I got closer with the group, I started taking the camera backstage, too.  (Backstage was just as fun as what was happening on-stage.) After a year or more, I started to really become part of the family dynamic that was happening, and they eventually asked me to start performing with them.  Though I never would have asked on my own, it was what I wanted all along.
 
Q: How did the idea for a documentary come about?
I did research on a different documentary for about a year, and I determined it would be too expensive to pursue.  A friend said, “There’s a great story happening right in your own backyard.  It might be familiar to you, but it’d be a fresh story for a lot of people.”  That’s when I decided to start exploring the idea and asking if The Girls would be game.
 McNeal1
Q: Even as a group insider, did you learn anything from the process of creating the film?
I was still relatively fresh to the group when we started filming.  Though I had performed for almost two years with the troupe, I had missed out on over a decade of their evolution.  Asking questions and digging for answers taught me a lot about the history that I didn’t know.  In addition, the process of making the documentary helped me realize why the group was personally so important to me.
Q: Where has the film been shown and what kind of reception have you gotten?
The movie premiered in June of 2003 in San Francisco.  Immediately after that first screening, numerous LGBT film fests invited THE RUBI GIRLS to screen at their festivals.  That was a really great way to see the country…it played in Seattle, Chicago, Reno, Atlanta, Fire Island and many other cities.  Audiences loved the movie and loved the Girls, and a few awards were garnered along the way.
 
Q: What’s your feeling about bringing this film back to the public 10 years after its creation?
It’s great to bring the film back to the community where it all started, but interestingly, the movie has had continual play since its premiere.  Several colleges and organizations have used the film over the years for various reasons – either as an educational tool or part of a festival or celebration.
Wigs
Q: What’s the goal of the evening for you?
The goal of August 3 is true with the mission of The Rubi Girls.  We want to create a space that is vibrant with fun and creativity…that also allows us to spread the word about what’s important to us and our causes.  We always bring some component of HIV/AIDS awareness to our shows, and fundraising is a major aspect of what we do.  The Rubi Girls have now helped to raise over 1 Million Dollars for HIV and LGBT-related causes…and that’s something we’re very proud of.  The money raised during this event will be split between The Dayton Art Institute (to be used for sound upgrades in their auditorium) and RubiBenefits (to assist with a variety of causes that we support).
Q: And anything else you’d like to share/add?
The support of the Dayton community has been incredible.  The love from the press, the admiration and generosity from the fans, and the willingness to assist from so many local businesses has been instrumental to our success.  This embrace, combined with the success of the documentary, has allowed us to spread our message to numerous cities across the country, and I’m incredibly grateful for that.
Join the Rubis on August 3 to support RubiBenefits and help with sound upgrades for the DAI auditorium.

Down the Path from Novice to Filmmaker

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A Web PhotoA quick update on one of the cool things happening in our community:

Sure, it takes a lot more than a weekend to become a filmmaker. The best are always learning, exploring and growing. But for a great jumpstart to a filmmaking hobby, career, education – FilmDayton offers the Filmmaker Boot Camp, a two-day intensive experience where participants are the writers, directors, cast, crew and editors.

Last weekend, eleven aspiring filmmakers joined FilmDayton instructors at DATV for this experience in filmmaking. On day one, they dove in with a mini-film school with workshops in visual style, writing, production techniques and editing. Over the course of just two days, they took this information and created their own short films.

Now, their creations are available on the FilmDayton YouTube page. Check out the work of the newest filmmakers in our community!

Some photos from the event.

The short films: 30 Minutes for Lunch, Passing Notes, Deadline.

Want to get involved?

  • The last Tuesday of every month, FilmDayton offers Film Connections – part networking and  part education, this is an opportunity for aspiring and professional filmmakers to come together around a topic of importance and share updates. Great topics coming up include actors and directors (May), animation (June) and a collection of updates from members (July).
  • Are you more of a film lover and less of a filmmaker? Don’t worry – you’re joining us at the right time. The 2013 Eichelberger FilmDayton Festival will host thoughtful, engaging, entertaining and fun features that are locally connected as well as show the best of shorts submitted from across the globe. Save the date for August 23-25, 2013.
  • There is not currently another boot camp scheduled, but you can get on the FilmDayton mailing list (scroll to bottom of page) to be kept in the loop for all future projects. We host boot camps as well as professional development workshops on varying topics. you can also bring an exclusive boot camp in for your class, business, organization.

Make a Date for the Academy Awards: Dessert with Oscar

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Oscar Watch Party Film StripDayton LOVES the movies! Art houses, local theaters, megaplexes and drive-ins all across the region guarantee you can see all the nominated pictures. Plus – beyond watching the movies, we’ve got a great collection of professional and aspiring filmmakers working and living right here. We’ve got the connections to the movies, and on Hollywood’s biggest night – Oscar Night – we’ve got the parties, too!

One of those parties is Dessert with Oscar – a fundraiser for local nonprofit, FilmDayton. FilmDayton hosts the annual FilmDayton Festival (scheduled for August 23-25, 2013), offers professional development for filmmakers, networking and educational opportunities, and acts as the regional film commission – supporting indie and commercial film projects that want to use the backdrop of the Miami Valley for their project.

This Oscar watch party puts the emphasis on party. Instead of seeing the action on the big screen in stadium seating, they welcome guests to The Venue on Third (905 E. Third Street) where multiple TVs will broadcast the show, allowing you to watch the action while enjoying the party. What’s included?

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Local chefs from great places such as Ovations, Baked, Scratch Event Catering, Carmen’s Deli, J. Gumbo’s UD, and the Sinclair Culinary Competition Team create tasty desserts themed after the Best Picture Nominees. You might get some authentic bread pudding out of Louisiana for Beasts of the Southern Wild or perhaps enjoy a twist on some ‘white cake’ for Django Unchained. Come and see what kind of creativity connects the desserts to their films!

As a fundraiser for the organization, we’re keeping ticket prices affordable, but bringing the bling with an exciting film-themed silent auction! See the pictures of some of the great prizes. Everything for the practical bidder (you have to go to dinner anyway) to the film lover (autographed photos, DVDs, pilot scripts and more) to the Dayton Connoisseur (tickets to great local experiences) to the true adventurer with a Specialty Background Role on a hit TV comedy with extra casting by Calltime Casting. You never know what stars may show up when you’re on set at the reality-TV spoof The Real Husbands of Hollywood – see the clip below to get an idea!

IMG_0093Food, prizes, and so much more. If you know your movies, you can submit a ballot and make your predictions on who is taking Oscar home. If you just want to follow the action for fun – play Oscar Bingo! As we watch the events unfold, you’ll watch who cries, thanks God or forgets to mention their agent – and hopefully they’ll line up to win you BINGO!

Be our guest for a champagne toast then the bar will be pouring all night. Come as you are, but ‘sparkly and fun’ attire is welcome!

 

 

How to Go:

Get tickets in advance at filmdayton.ticketleap.com

Cost: $25 general, $20 FilmDayton member, $50 VIP

When: Sunday, February 24. Doors open 7 PM

Where: The Venue on Third (905 E. Third Street, Dayton)

 

Bid it to win it – you could have a specialty background role on The Real Husbands of Hollywood! Check it out:

Take Us Home: A Dayton Film from Israel

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If I told you there is a touching documentary that tells the story of the exodus of a family of Ethiopian Jews to Israel  – would you think it’s a Dayton film? Well – it is! TAKE US HOME is the most recent documentary by Aileen LeBlanc, known for telling the Joe Desch story through Dayton Codebreakers. Aileen worked with a Dayton-based team that included Mike King, Jim Klein, Michael and Sandy Bashaw, John Mays, Julia Reichert and Steven Bognar, and many others.  Major support for this project came from The Levin Family Foundation and numerous local partnerswho helped bring the story to life.

TAKE US HOME follows Fekadu who has been waiting for ten years in Ethiopia to go to Israel to reunite with his siblings and be welcomed into a more full experience with his Jewish faith. We see the rest of his family get the go-ahead for the trip, but Fekadu, his wife and their six children must stay behind. They learn their emigration is in jeopardy because of their adopted son, Worku. They must leave him behind or be forced to stay in Ethiopia under religious persecution. The audience watches the challenging decisions between faith, family and freedom. We watch how the events unfold in Ethiopia and Israel. Even returning ‘home’ to their Israel is not easy as the Ethiopian Jews are outcasts; they are overwhelmed by life in the high-tech, Hebrew-speaking country and their Jewish-ness is doubted among their new countrymen.

The Dayton premiere of this award-winning documentary will take place on Thursday, November 15 at the Dayton Art Institute. It’s presented as part of the Cultural Arts and Book Festival in partnership with FilmDayton, The Dayton Art Institute, 91.3 FM WYSO, and the Jewish Community Relations Council. A 7 PM reception precedes the 7:30PM screening of the film. Immediately following, there will be a Q&A with the filmmakers. As a special treat Worku and Fekadu will be in attendance to answer your questions about their story! Tickets are only $5 in advance and $7 at the door and may be purchased through The Dayton Art Institute Web page. [yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wCfzmj9CSY&feature=plcp’]

Welcoming the movies to Dayton – and your house!

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Production companies reach out to the local nonprofit FilmDayton for help in securing the best locations for commercials, films and television program. Now FilmDayton is reaching out to the Miami Valley for help in learning about more film-friendly homes, businesses and locations.

Are you excited by all the buzz about the growing film industry in Ohio? Do you want to support it without FilmDayton launched the Reel Treasures of the Miami Valley contest for you!

You don’t have to be a glamorous movie star or an award-winning filmmaker to get in on the growing film industry in Ohio. The old cliché that “Everything in life is location, location, location” is true for those in the business of film making. Setting the scene is an early step in projects from television series to a critically-acclaimed indie film to a major summer blockbuster.  FilmDayton wants that step to be taken in the Miami Valley, and you can help make it happen.

“Our region has so many possibilities – cozy houses to large mansions, unique restaurants and shops, great classic cars and antique farm equipment, interesting warehouse districts and cutting-edge medical centers, and urban, suburban and rural treasures. This diversity of locations can help our region attract film productions and put money in the pockets of some property owners,” says Megan Cooper, Director of FilmDayton.

FilmDayton, a regional non-profit organization seeking to foster the local film making community, has announced a competition to find the varied locations in the greater Dayton area.  The competition is open through November 17.  If you are the owner of a home, business, property or facility and like the possibility of seeing your location in a movie, this is the contest for you.

FilmDayton serves the entire Miami Valley; submissions from Montgomery, Darke, Miami, Shelby, Clark, Champaign, Greene, Warren, Preble and Butler Counties are encouraged. It’s vital that the locations database be able to accurately reflect the diverse landscape across our region to be competitive and give all people across the Miami Valley a shot to be considered.

How important is the right location? Multiple reality shows seeking businesses, restaurants, exotic pools, interesting homes, and haunted locations are interested in filming in the Miami Valley – but they need to find the right spot. Feature filmmakers are currently in conversation with FilmDayton and looking for the perfect location.

We’re Doing Fine, by acclaimed New York-based filmmaker Djuna Wahlrab, will film in the Dayton area in Spring of 2013 and the team has begun the search for the right locations. A furnished side-by-side double and a hospital setting are high on their list of location needs.

Helping build up the region’s locations database is a vital step for our growing film community. Cooper says, “When FilmDayton gets the call that a production is looking for a farm house near a stream, an office in a high-rise, or a thriving local business – having a photo to get to the director immediately will make us more competitive with our colleagues across the state.”

Often requested locations include furnished houses of all sizes, medical centers and schools. But Cooper says that being prepared for anything requires a complete database of photos from all people willing to welcome a film production to their property.

When True Nature, the drama and supernatural thriller written and directed by Patrick Steele, filmed in Dayton familiar locations like a beautiful historic mansion, a downtown office building and a local restaurant were featured.

There’s benefit in it for the property owner, too. Typically, productions pay for use of the house, property, land or object. But beyond the financial benefit – you may get to see your place on the big screen.

Reel Treasures of the Miami Valley – How to Submit

The process is simple, but please note that ONLY the owner (and the person who grants permission) of the property, item or location has the authority to submit to the contest.

First, take a clear, low-resolution photo from a solid angle.  Include your name, physical address of location and contact information with the photos. Here are some photo taking tips!

To encourage some friendly competition, FilmDayton will invite industry insiders to review the submissions and select top submission from the following categories. Top photos may be featured on the FilmDayton web site. Categories include:

  • Industrial/Warehouse
  • Arts (galleries, theaters, auditoriums, etc)
  • Open Spaces (parks, gardens, farms, water, etc)
  • Residential (homes of all sorts – include a second shot of special features)
  • Businesses (offices, storefronts, restaurants/bars, etc)
  • Medical/Hospital
  • Era Location Shots – Examples include office from the 70s with authentic furniture and shag carpet, a fully-furnished kitchen from the 50s, etc
  • Special Props – antique cars/farm equipment, unique kitchen items, etc…

Thanks to partner Dodd Camera, two overall winners will get our top prize of a digital camera. In addition to their many Dayton stores, Dodd Camera is now open in Cincinnati near the Kenwood Mall with a gigantic selection of cameras, lenses and accessories plus a rental department including a rental studio.

More information can be found at www.FilmDayton.com. The contest ends on November 17, so grab your camera today and show the rest of the country that locations all across the Miami Valley are worth immortalizing on film.

Submit your photo to:

FilmDaytonLocations@gmail.com

Include your name, physical address of location, and contact information.

No experience? No problem! Get on TV

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Casting – not for people, but for PLACES! A Texas production company with local ties may come to the Dayton region to shoot two great shows for HGTV. Now they need YOU!

Do you live in a converted home – something that use to be a bank, bus, old tree or submarine? They want to take a light-hearted look at unique houses and you might have the right fit!

Is your house pretty normal, but your backyard pool is out of this world? You might have a shot, too! No kidney-shaped stand-bys for this show – they are looking for unique, exotic and special pools.

Check out the two calls below and if you have a great converted house or a “cool pool” – you might be the right fit for the show. Share your gem of a house/pool and bring the production to our region!

More information on what exactly they’re looking for and details on how to submit available at the FilmDayton site.

YOUR SISTER’S SISTER Starts Friday at THE NEON

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Hello Everyone,

We’re changing things up this weekend! If you haven’t seen BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD – one of the best reviewed films of the year – then you should hurry down to THE NEON. Thursday will be your last chance to see it with us. On Friday, we will open YOUR SISTER’S SISTER – the new film from Lynn Shelton. In addition, we’ll hold THE INTOUCHABLES…it had a terrific weekend.

Synopsis for YOUR SISTER’S SISTER: “Your Sister’s Sister is a new comedy about romance, grief and sibling rivalry. A year after his brother Tom’s death, Jack is still struggling emotionally. When he makes a scene at a memorial party, Tom’s best friend Iris offers up her family cabin on an island in the Pacific Northwest so Jack can seek catharsis in solitude. Once there, however, he runs into Iris’ sister Hannah who is reeling from the abrupt end of a seven-year relationship and finds solace in Tom’s unexpected presence. A blurry evening of drinking concludes with an awkward sexual incident, made worse by Iris’ sudden presence at the cabin the next morning. A twisted tale of ever-complicated relationships is set in motion with raw, hilarious and emotional performances from the all-star cast.” (taken from IFC Films) Visit the official website.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlbKcGn9M1M’]

The Greater Dayton Association of Black Journalists will host a community discussion about the Anthony Sowell serial murder case this Saturday at 11am at THE NEON. A discussion of the societal conditions that allowed the murders to go unnoticed will be discussed following a preview of the documentary ELEVEN. The film is about the Imperial Avenue killings in Cleveland’s Mount Pleasant neighborhood in 2009. Stanley Donaldson, a reporter for The Cleveland Plain Dealer, will be on hand along with co-director Khalil Pedizsai. Donaldson wrote newspaper articles about the murders. He is also a producer for the documentary. Please help us spread the word about this free community discussion.

Tickets are on sale for FilmDayton Festival – set for August 24-26. Take a look at their SITE and see what they have to offer. In addition to film screenings at THE NEON, the festival will offer workshops and special events around town. I’m anxious to see quite a few films on their line-up. TRASH DANCE, COMPLIANCE, and THESE AMAZING SHADOWS look great. This is their 4th Annual Fest…let’s help them make it a big success.

And speaking of festivals, The Downtown Dayton LGBT Film Festival has a fresh new website. HERE it is! It’s our biggest and best line-up yet, and we’re now in the process of securing guest artists to attend the festival (I can’t wait to make some big announcements in the coming days). The 7th Annual Fest is set for Sept. 28-30. Visit the site, watch the trailers and mark your calendars…it’s gonna be great!

Thanks for your continued support.
We hope to see you soon,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for
Fri. Aug. 17 – Thu. Aug. 23:

YOUR SISTER’S SISTER (R) 1 Hr 30 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 3:10, 5:15, 7:20, 9:30
Monday – Thursday: 3:10, 5:15, 7:20

THE INTOUCHABLES (R) 1 Hr 52 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:20, 2:45, 5:10, 7:30, 9:45
Monday – Thursday: 2:45, 5:10, 7:30

ELEVEN (NR) 30 Min + Discussion
Saturday: 11:00am

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative.
Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
Aug 31 FAREWELL, MY QUEEN
Aug 31 CELESTE AND JESSE FOREVER
TBD WHERE DO WE GO NOW?
Sept. 14 ROBOT AND FRANK
Sept. 21 ARBITRAGE
TBD THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES
TBD 2 DAYS IN NEW YORK
TBD SLEEPWALK WITH ME

International Sensation THE INTOUCHABLES Opens Friday at THE NEON

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Hello Everyone,

It’s time to move along. Two films that made our summer one to remember will end their runs on Thursday. If you still need to see (or maybe for a 2nd or 3rd time) MOONRISE KINGDOM or TO ROME WITH LOVE, Thursday will be your last chance to see them at THE NEON. On Friday, we will finally open a film that many of you have been waiting for – THE INTOUCHABLES. BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD will stick around for another week. (for remaining showtimes for this week, visit our site at neonmovies.com)

Synopsis for THE INTOUCHABLES: “An irreverent, uplifting comedy about friendship, trust and human possibility, The Intouchables has broken box office records in its native France and across Europe. Based on a true story of friendship between a handicap millionaire (Francois Cluzet) and his street smart ex-con caretaker (Omar Sy), The Intouchables depicts an unlikely camaraderie rooted in honesty and humor between two individuals who, on the surface, would seem to have nothing in common.” (taken from The Weinstein Co.)  Visit the official website.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsPHXVnt27g’]

Air Force Veteran Jachlin Williams will host one more screening of the new, award-winning documentary THE INVISIBLE WAR at THE NEON – Thursday, August 16 at 7:30. “A groundbreaking investigative documentary about one of our country’s most shameful and best-kept secrets, THE INVISIBLE WAR reveals the epidemic of rape within the U.S. Military. Today, a female soldier in Iraq or Afghanistan is more likely to be raped by a fellow soldier than killed by enemy fire. Tracing the powerfully emotional stories of several young veterans, the film reveals the systemic cover-up of the crimes they have suffered and follows their struggles to rebuild their lives and careers. These screenings are part of a campaign to tell survivors of sexual military trauma that they are not invisible.” This screenings is free. Tickets will be given on a first-come, first-serve basis – one ticket per person on the day of the screening. (Sunday’s emotionally charged screening was wonderfully received. Please spread the word.)

The Greater Dayton Association of Black Journalists will host a community discussion about the Anthony Sowell serial murder case Saturday, August 18 at 11am at THE NEON. A discussion of the societal conditions that allowed the murders to go unnoticed will be discussed following a preview of the documentary ELEVEN. The film is about the Imperial Avenue killings in Cleveland’s Mount Pleasant neighborhood in 2009. Stanley Donaldson, a reporter for The Cleveland Plain Dealer, will be on hand along with co-director Khalil Pedizsai. Donaldson wrote newspaper articles about the murders. He is also a producer for the documentary. Please help us spread the word about this free community discussion.

Very soon, I’ll be able to give you details about our benefit on October 14. More and more details are slowly coming together (here’s a late-breaking detail…MARTIN SHEEN has just provided us with a few incredible items for our auction). This benefit will help us as we transition from 35mm to digital projection – a costly but necessary endeavor.

Tickets are on sale for FilmDayton Festival – set for August 24-26. Take a look at their SITE and see what they have to offer. In addition to film screenings at THE NEON, the festival will offer workshops and special events around town. This is their 4th Annual Fest…let’s help them make it a big success.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8PFf2a_yIk’]

And speaking of festivals, The Downtown Dayton LGBT Film Festival has a fresh new website. HERE it is! It’s our biggest and best line-up yet, and we’re now in the process of securing guest artists to attend the festival. The 7th Annual Fest is set for Sept. 28-30. Visit the site, watch the trailers and mark your calendars…it’s gonna be great!

Thanks for your continued support.
We hope to see you soon,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for
Fri. Aug. 10 – Thu. Aug. 16:

BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD (PG-13) 1 Hr 33 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:45, 3:00, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30
Monday – Wednesday: 3:00, 5:10, 7:20
Thursday: 3:00, 5:10

THE INTOUCHABLES (R) 1 Hr 52 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:20, 2:45, 5:10, 7:30, 9:45
Monday – Thursday: 2:45, 5:10, 7:30

THE INVISIBLE WAR (NR) 1 Hr 33 Min + Discussion
Thursday: 7:30

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative.
Many of these dates will change. In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
Aug 17 YOUR SISTER’S SISTER
Aug 31 FAREWELL, MY QUEEN
Aug 31 CELESTE AND JESSE FOREVER
TBD WHERE DO WE GO NOW?
Sept. 14 ROBOT AND FRANK
Sept. 21 ARBITRAGE
TBD THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES
TBD 2 DAYS IN NEW YORK
TBD SLEEPWALK WITH ME

Take a Ride on the Wonderland Express

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Written by Mark Martel, FilmDayton volunteer

A mysterious device fashioned from a garage door opener changes the perspectives of four different people as they experience and are transformed by its power.  Part psychological drama, part comedy and with a dash of science fiction, The Wonderland Express premiered at the StarLite Film Fest in Winter Garden, Florida in early 2012 and won its first award. The film was invited back for a summer festival there and has been an audience favorite on the festival circuit all across the country.

Now it’s homecoming. The Wonderland Express makes its local premiere at the 2012 FilmDayton Festival in downtown Dayton at the Neon Movies on Saturday, Aug 25th. The 11 a.m. matinee screening will include the shorts The Medal and Always Believe.

Directed by Daytonian Greg Nichols, the Express stars an all-local cast including Shawn Green, Ryan Singer, Natasha Randall, Craig Roberts, and Charles Larkowski.  Nichols and Green also produced the film with Rachel Wilson.

All of the actors in the film have roots in the Cincinnati/Dayton, Ohio theatre community and have extensive past experience in improvisation.  Writer/director Greg Nichols, and cast members Shawn Green and Ryan Singer were involved in the same improv group from 1998 to 2003, and their tight interplay shows onscreen.  Although the film began as a full script, most of the dialog was improvised during filming.  Cast member Natasha Randall was recently seen in the 2010 Sundance Festival Selection Take Shelter, another Ohio independent film.  Singer currently resides in Los Angeles, CA and is a feature performer of nationally touring comedian Marc Maron.

The core of the film lies in how the characters interact with a strange device and its influence on their normal everyday lives.  In this world of cell phones and GPS, today’s science can seem like magic to the average person, which is how the characters view their experiences with the device in the film as it changes their lives.  With limited understanding or preparation, their individual experiences are what lead them to different ends.

Read more about the national accolades for The Wonderland Express, the improvisation techniques used by actors, and a focus on simplicity and skill; the full article is available and tickets are on sale NOW.

The Wonderland Express will screen as part of the FilmDayton Festival on Saturday, August 25 at 11 AM at the Neon.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MS_FnKbt0E’]

Upcoming at The Neon: “The Invisible War”, “Eleven” and Special Announcements

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Hello Everyone,

We’re holding steady this week. If you still need to see TO ROME WITH LOVE or MOONRISE KINGDOM, this will more than likely be your last week to see these films at THE NEON. In addition, we will hold BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD. Though this film didn’t perform as well as we had hoped, audiences have really embraced it…and we hope positive word-of-mouth will help build attendance.

Check out the website for BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD.

Air Force Veteran Jachlin Williams will be hosting two screenings of the new, award-winning documentary THE INVISIBLE WAR at THE NEON. The first is this Sunday, August 5 and the second is on Thursday, August 16. “A groundbreaking investigative documentary about one of our country’s most shameful and best-kept secrets, THE INVISIBLE WAR reveals the epidemic of rape within the U.S. Military. Today, a female soldier in Iraq or Afghanistan is more likely to be raped by a fellow soldier than killed by enemy fire. Tracing the powerfully emotional stories of several young veterans, the film reveals the systemic cover-up of the crimes they have suffered and follows their struggles to rebuild their lives and careers. These screenings are part of a campaign to tell survivors of sexual military trauma that they are not invisible.” These screenings are free. Tickets will be given on a first-come, first-serve basis – one ticket per person on the day of each screening.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECOqpv45tIo’]

The Greater Dayton Association of Black Journalists will host a community discussion about the Anthony Sowell serial murder case Saturday, August 18 at 11am at THE NEON. A discussion of the societal conditions that allowed the murders to go unnoticed will be discussed following a preview of the documentary ELEVEN. The film is about the Imperial Avenue killings in Cleveland’s Mount Pleasant neighborhood in 2009. Stanley Donaldson, a reporter for The Cleveland Plain Dealer, will be on hand along with co-director Khalil Pedizsai. Donaldson wrote newspaper articles about the murders. He is also a producer for the documentary. Please help us spread the word about this free community discussion.

Very soon, I’ll be able to give you details about our benefit on October 14. Slowly but surely, we’re getting details in place so we can make a big announcement (here are a few wonderful details – Meadowlark, Coco’s Bistro & Roost have already confirmed to provide appetizers). This benefit will help us as we transition from 35mm to digital projection – a costly but necessary endeavor.

Did you see that FilmDayton revealed their line-up for their 4th Annual Festival? Check out their site to see the latest. This fest is set for August 24-26, and I can’t wait to see COMPLIANCE. Postcards with the complete line-up are also available at our box office.

And speaking of festivals, The Downtown Dayton LGBT Film Festival is ready to announce this year’s line-up. HERE is is! It’s our biggest and best yet, and we’re now in the process of securing guest artists to attend the festival. The 7th Annual Fest is set for Sept. 28-30. Visit the site, watch the trailers and mark your calendars…it’s gonna be great! (Please contact me if you or your business might be interested in sponsoring this annual event.)

Thanks for your continued support.
We hope to see you soon,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. Aug. 3 – Thu. Aug. 9:

BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD (PG-13) 1 Hr 33 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:45, 3:00, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30

TO ROME WITH LOVE (R) 1 Hr 42 Min
Friday, Saturday: 2:50, 7:30
Sunday: 7:30
Monday – Thursday: 2:50, 7:30

MOONRISE KINGDOM (PG-13) 1 Hr 34 Min
Friday: 12:40, 5:20, 9:40
Saturday: 12:40, 5:20
Sunday: 12:40, 5:20, 9:40
Monday – Thursday: 5:20, 9:40

FOREVER FLAVOR (NR) 60 Min
(this special event is a locally-produced rollerblading video …tickets $5 each…
no additional details were provided by the filmmakers)
Saturday: 10:00pm

THE INVISIBLE WAR (NR) 1 Hr 33 Min + Discussion
Sunday: 3:00

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative.
Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
August 10 THE INTOUCHABLES
TBD YOUR SISTER’S SISTER
late Aug FAREWELL, MY QUEEN
TBD WHERE DO WE GO NOW?
Sept. 14 ROBOT AND FRANK
TBD THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES
TBD 2 DAYS IN NEW YORK

Ross Bros and Zanders Create the Magic of Tchoupitoulas

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(submitted by Deb Lukjanovs, FilmDayton volunteer)

Two brothers whose careers as filmmakers began when they documented the everyday people and events in their hometown of Sidney, Ohio have come full circle, to film three brothers on the move in their own vastly different hometown of New Orleans. Bill and Turner Ross—whose first feature length film, “45365″, won a number of accolades including the 2009 SXSW Grand Jury Award for Best Documentary Feature—have now turned their cameras and their creative genius to Tchoupitoulas.  The name means “river people” in Choctaw Indian, and shares its name with a New Orleans street, a restaurant, and a district outside the city.  Tchoupitoulas, which premiered at SXSW this year, has also brought in several  awards, including the 2012 Hot Docs HBO Documentary Films Emerging Artist Award, the 2012 Dallas International Film Festival’s award for best documentary, and the 2012 Ashland Independent Film Festival’s best documentary award.  The film’s Dayton debut, along with a Q and A session with the Ross brothers, takes place at the FilmDayton Festival, on Sunday, August 26 at 7:15 PM at the Neon Movies.

The Ross brothers have deep roots in both Ohio and New Orleans.  Their mother still lives in 45365 (the zip code in Sidney), where their first film takes place.  Dayton filmmakers Julia Reichert and Steven Bognar have served—in Bill Turner’s words—as the brothers’ “cinematic parents” following their first film effort. The couple reached out to them through an email greeting them with “Greetings from 45387” after seeing 45365.  The Ross’ father lives in New Orleans, so the brothers have had a long term relationship with the city of New Orleans as well.  That early exposure to the city informed their vision of the film.  “We had spent a decent amount of time in New Orleans as kids,” said filmmaker Bill Ross, who shared camera time with his brother Turner and also edited the film.  “We wanted to sort of get to feelings and images that had stuck in our heads as little guys. We were hoping to find some kids and just go along with whatever adventures they were on.”

The two brothers found the three brothers entirely by accident—and the result of that chance meeting is the surreal and dreamlike Tchoupitoulas, their second  feature documentary, which follows the three boys through the sometimes scary but always interesting landscape of nocturnal New Orleans.  The Ross brothers began by filming some of the strangeness of NOLA’s late night life, but seven months later they happened upon the three Zander brothers and Tchoupitoulas began taking shape.  “We were up every night, filming all night long,” said Ross, who has lived in NOLA intermittently for most of his life.  “One day, we were up and out during the day, and these kids walked right past us.  We immediately said ‘These are the guys’ and went up to talk with them.”

The kids turned out to be the Zander brothers, Kentrell (16), Bryan (15), and William (11).  They were immediately interested in the idea of the movie, but talking them into being in it was not easy.  “The two older ones tried to talk us out of having William in it because he was ‘too annoying,’” Ross said.  “It took us about 20 minutes to talk them into letting him be in the film.”

Single tickets will be available online beginning August 3, 2012. For the rest of the story and information on attending the Dayton Premier of TCHOUPITOULAS on August 26, visit FilmDayton.com.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCRD0wbbZqw’]

 

 

Amazingly Reviewed BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD Opens Friday at THE NEON!

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Hello Everyone,

It’s time for a new film, and it happens to be one of the most critically-acclaimed films of the year. BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD has garnered 100% reviews from The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Chicago Sun-Times, The Wall Street Journal, Entertainment Weekly, Time, Variety, and many, many more…and it will be playing exclusively at THE NEON!

Synopsis for BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD: “In a forgotten but defiant bayou community cut off from the rest of the world by a sprawling levee, a six-year-old girl exists on the brink of orphanhood. Buoyed by her childish optimism and extraordinary imagination, she believes that the natural world is in balance with the universe until a fierce storm changes her reality. Desperate to repair the structure of her world in order to save her ailing father and sinking home, this tiny hero must learn to survive unstoppable catastrophes of epic proportions.” (taken from Fox Searchlight) Visit the official site.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0ZAcmIIfZE’]

Air Force Veteran Jachlin Williams will be hosting two screenings of the new, award-winning documentary THE INVISIBLE WAR at THE NEON on August 5 and August 16. “A groundbreaking investigative documentary about one of our country’s most shameful and best-kept secrets, THE INVISIBLE WAR reveals the epidemic of rape within the U.S. Military. Today, a female soldier in Iraq or Afghanistan is more likely to be raped by a fellow soldier than killed by enemy fire. Tracing the powerfully emotional stories of several young veterans, the film reveals the systemic cover-up of the crimes they have suffered and follows their struggles to rebuild their lives and careers. These screenings are part of a campaign to tell survivors of sexual military trauma that they are not invisible.” These screenings are free. Tickets will be given on a first-come, first-serve basis – one ticket per person on the day of each screening.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ifc_ongQFQ’]

Very soon, I’ll be able to give you details about our benefit on October 14. Slowly but surely, we’re getting details in place so we can make a big announcement (here are a few wonderful details – Meadowlark, Coco’s Bistro & Roost have already confirmed to provide appetizers). This benefit will help us as we transition from 35mm to digital projection – a costly but necessary endeavor.

Did you see that FilmDayton revealed their line-up for their 4th Annual Festival? Check out their site to see the latest. This fest is set for August 24-26, and I can’t wait to see COMPLIANCE.

And speaking of festivals, The Downtown Dayton LGBT Film Festival is putting the finishing touches on this year’s line-up. The 7th Annual Fest is set for Sept. 28-30, and the films are spectacular! (Please contact me if you or your business might be interested in sponsoring this annual event.)

Thanks for your continued support.
We hope to see you soon,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for
Fri. July 27 – Thur. August 2:

BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD (PG-13) 1 Hr 33 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:45, 3:00, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30

TO ROME WITH LOVE (R) 1 Hr 42 Min
Friday – Thursday: 2:50, 7:30

MOONRISE KINGDOM (PG-13) 1 Hr 34 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:40, 5:20, 9:40
Monday – Thursday: 5:20, 9:40

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
August 10 THE INTOUCHABLES
TBD YOUR SISTER’S SISTER
late Aug FAREWELL, MY QUEEN
TBD WHERE DO WE GO NOW?
Sept. 14 ROBOT AND FRANK
TBD THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES
TBD 2 DAYS IN NEW YORK
TBD TAKE THIS WALTZ

TRASH DANCE: Award-winning film comes to Dayton

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Director Andrew Garrison

Making people whose work is often invisible feel as if they count is a matter of great concern to Austin Texas filmmaker and former Daytonian Andrew Garrison.  In the spirit of showing the dignity and meaning of everyday work most people take for granted, Garrison has collaborated with choreographer Allison Orr to create TRASH DANCE, a 68 minute film documenting the lives—and one extraordinary day in those lives—of 24 Austin garbage collectors.  The award winning film is scheduled for a screening and Q and A with director Andrew Garrison at the 2012 FilmDayton Festival on Saturday, August 25 beginning at 5:15 PM.

Trash Dance debuted to rave reviews by audiences and critics at SXSW, where it received a special jury recognition prize.  The film also won the Audience Award at the Full Frame documentary festival and most recently took away the Audience Award at the Discovery Channel’s Silverdocs festival.  The Silverdocs festival proved to be extraordinary for Dayton, as not only Garrison’s film won, but also Julia Reichert and Steven Bognar’s film Sparkle, a documentary about legendary Dayton Contemporary Dance Company’s Sheri “Sparkle” Williams, which won the Short Documentary Audience Award.

Photo by Andrew Garrison

Trash Dance’s main character, its choreographer Allison Orr, with her pixie haircut and wide disarming smile, had become known in Austin and beyond for her choreography of everyday movement like dog walking or roller skating.  For this project, she undertook the monumental task of assembling the sanitation workers and their trucks on an abandoned runway and running the mass of garbage trucks through a specially choreographed “dance” spectacle for an assembled audience of over 2000. “It was pouring rain, we had seating for 700, and 2000 people showed up to watch it happen,” said Garrison from his home in Austin.  “Nobody expected that kind of response.”

The big event was preceded by a full year of filming, beginning with a serendipitous meeting.  “So much of this film, like so many films, depended on luck,” Garrison said.  “I didn’t know Allison, but had read about interesting things she had choreographed with unusual performers.  Roller skaters, dog walkers… I was ready to do something fun, ready to move my camera around.”

“I was at a meeting one night and a guy asked me what I was going to do next, so I told him I was interested in working with Allison. Turns out he was her husband, and she was due to start her safety training with the sanitation workers the following week…”

Article written and submitted by FilmDayton Volunteer Deb Lukjanovs.  Read the full article at FilmDayton.com

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XK-uU5PQdG4′]

 

 

 

July Has Been Spectacular at THE NEON + More Great News!

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Hello Everyone,

This is another short & easy newsletter. We had great attendance again over the weekend. TO ROME WITH LOVE and MOONRISE KINGDOM continue to draw crowds. Thank you so much for your support of these films. (You can visit either official site by clicking the titles above.)

We are holding steady for another week!

We go on a week-to-week basis with all of our films.  These current hits (along with our recent engagement of BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL) have performed better than any other films for quite some time…so we’re holding them over.  As soon as possible, we’ll get to BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD and THE INTOUCHABLES.  (Sometimes dates move at our request…and sometimes distributors move dates around.)

Check out the MAKING OF Featurette for MOONRISE KINGDOM:

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Nx7kbjqbJY’]

Next week, I will have firm details regarding the August 5 screening of THE INVISIBLE WAR.

Very soon, I’ll be able to give you details about our benefit on October 14…slowly but surely, we’re getting details in place so we can make a big announcement (here are a couple wonderful details – Meadowlark and Coco’s Bistro have already confirmed to provide appetizers). This benefit will help us as we transition from 35mm to digital projection.  (The picture at the top of this newsletter is a big hint as to what we’ll be screening.)

Did you see that FilmDayton revealed their line-up for their 4th Annual Festival? Check out their site to see the latest. This fest is set for August 24-26, and I can’t wait to see COMPLIANCE.

And speaking of festivals, The Downtown Dayton LGBT Film Festival committee last night in order to solidify this year’s line-up. The 7th Annual Fest is set for Sept. 28-30, and the films are spectacular!   Once everything is confirmed, we’ll release the line-up.  (Please contact me if you or your business might be interested in sponsoring this annual event.)

Thanks for your continued support.
We hope to see you soon,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for
Fri. July 20 – Thur. July 26:

TO ROME WITH LOVE (R) 1 Hr 42 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:20, 2:50, 5:10, 7:30, 9:45
Monday – Thursday: 2:50, 5:10, 7:30

MOONRISE KINGDOM (PG-13) 1 Hr 34 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:30, 2:45, 5:00, 7:20, 9:30
Monday – Thursday: 2:45, 5:00, 7:20

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative.
Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
July 27 THE INTOUCHABLES
July 27 BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD
TBD YOUR SISTER’S SISTER
TBD WHERE DO WE GO NOW?
LOLA VERSUS

WWII Documentary Shot in Dayton – Shown in Dayton

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The creators of the Emmy Award winning PBS hit Red Tail Reborn have now created a new aviation program, The Restorers-They Were All Volunteers.  The documentary film centers on airplane restorers and the WWII heroes known as the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders, and will now appear in theaters in select cities throughout the Midwest.

What’s the history? On April 18th, 1942, Gen. James Doolittle led the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders on a top secret mission that would strike back at the heart of Japan after the attack on Pearl Harbor four months earlier. The Raiders launched their B-25 Mitchell Bombers off an aircraft carrier that would get them close to the home island of Japan. The bombing mission was a great success, boosting much needed morale for the United States.

Each year the famous Doolittle Tokyo Raiders from WWII have a reunion to remember their mission, their comrades, and their heroic leader Gen. James Doolittle.  In 2010, an extraordinary event took place. For the 68th Doolittle reunion, seventeen B-25 bomber crews volunteered to gather in honor of the Raiders.  Over 70,000 people turned up to witness the event, to see the bombers, and to meet the remaining Raiders.

The Restorers-They Were All Volunteers follows the journey of a Minnesota B-25 named Miss Mitchell. Join this restored bomber as she travels to Dayton, Ohio to attend the largest B-25 gathering since WWII.

April 18th, 2012 marks the 70th anniversary of the historic Doolittle mission. The Restorers – They Were All Volunteers will screen on Tuesday, April 17th, 7:30 pm – The Neon Movies – Dayton, Ohio

Helpful links:

www.TheRestorers.com

www.hemlockfilms.com

www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/doolittle.asp

 

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