The Hamburg Strand took a break from its regular programming for three independent films on Saturday. The small-town, single-screen screen venue hosted showings of “The Incredible Adventures of JoJo (and his annoying sister Avila),” “The Marquee on Main Street” and “Wildlike.”
The films were shown as part of the Reading Film Fest, a weekend festival held Nov. 13, 14 and 15 in Hamburg as well as the Goggleworks, Reading Imax and Louis Long Gallery theatres. Dozens of independent films and shorts were included on the schedule, along with workshops, panel discussions and social gatherings. Attendees could purchase all-weekend passes or grab tickets for individual shows at each location.
This was the option chosen by Naomi, a Hamburg resident who walked to the Strand for “The Incredible Adventures of JoJo” about 10 minutes before show time. She had read about the festival online.
“I looked at the trailers and I thought, hey, it’s something to do, it’s something different,” Naomi explained.
A regular moviegoer, she changed her plan from watching just the first film to staying for all three hosted at the Strand. Others in the audience came in expecting normal Stand fair (i.e., first-run movies) but opted to stay anyway.
Each audience member was given a ticket with the name of the film on the front. On the back, festival volunteer Stefanie Pilkerton explained, was a simple 5-star rating system. After the film, attendees could rate the film and turn in the ticket. Festival workers combined the scores to award a best-of-show on Sunday.
The first film, “JoJo,” was written and directed by Brian and Ann-Marie Schmidt. Since they could not attend the Hamburg event, moderator Michael O’Brien greeted the small crowd before the show. Using a retro, animation-style opening sequence, the film noted, “No children were maimed in the making of this story.” The plot combined elements of fairy-tale narration and home-movie effects to tell the story of a young boy who visits his grandmother and finds himself facing wolves, hobos and mobsters while protecting his “annoying” little sister.
“My idea of a good film is when you don’t know what will happen next,” said Mark, another Hamburg resident at the movie. He noted the film had the potential to take some pretty scary turns but it all turned out fine in the end. “I thoroughly enjoyed it.”
Like Naomi, Mark is a regular movie-goer who enjoys watching shows at his local theater. “I support it. I just get to walk up the street,” he said. “Every week, I try to see what’s in.”
Mark was especially interested in the next festival showing. “The Marquee on Main Street,” which addressed issues faced by small-town venues like this one. “This has been a sort of struggle,” Mark said. “Businesses are closing. It’s a darn shame.”
“Marquee” is the debut documentary of Chester Lampman, who created the film not only as part of his thesis work but also out of his love for single-screen theaters. Lampman was at the Hamburg showing on Saturday and welcomed the audience.
“It’s really about the space you are sitting in right now,” he said, adding that he thought the Strand was the perfect venue for his film.
His short film told the story of three theaters near his Pittsburgh home and the struggles they have faced in the last century to stay open and stay relevant with changing audience needs and technological advances. Lampman, the son of dairy farmers, shared with the audience after the short that going to his local theater in Cowdersport was a childhood treat. His memories include the shows, classics like “Herbie” and “Star Wars,” but also include nostalgia about the space itself.
“I’ve always been interested in the theater space,” he explained. “It goes beyond preserving [these theaters].” Places like the Strand are often anchor-pieces to Main Street America, and Lampman applauded local audience members for their regular patronage.
“Make the effort and check the newspaper. See what’s playing, and just go,” the filmmaker concluded.
A third film, “Wildlike,” completed the Hamburg showings in the festival. This feature-length film told of a teenager, Mackenzie, who was sent to live with her uncle in Alaska but longs for her mother and escape from a bad situation. It was written and directed by Frank Hall Green.
Stephanie Adam, coordinator of the Hamburg Strand, noted that attendance at this film was the largest. Green was in the audience, and hosted a long forum afterwards.
“The discussion got really heavy, almost everybody stayed to the end of the question and answers,” Adam said. “Everyone liked this film, probably the best of the three.”
Adam and Bethany Sholl, manager, began running the Strand in April. They are looking at other new ventures in the months ahead while continuing to feature current movies. The theater hosted a Girl’s Night Out movie this fall, and a Polar Express Children’s Party is set for Dec. 12. Children who attend are welcome to come in their pajamas, and some interactive snacks are planned.
For details about special events or for a list of current shows and times, visit the Strand Theater online at Hamburgstrand.org.
