TUNKHANNOCK — The Dietrich Theater is holding its first Summer Fest, featuring seven summer films in seven days, beginning Friday, July 24 with an opening might celebration. In the middle of blockbuster summer season, July 24 to July 30, there will be multiple showings of seven acclaimed recent releases, including the much talked about “Love and Mercy,” an unconventional look into the life of musician Brian Wilson.
Reservations are required only for opening night, July 24. That evening will feature two films, “Far From the Madding Crowd” and “Five Flights Up” with wine and beer, popcorn and strawberry shortcake between the two movies.
To wind up Summer Fest, all are invited to a post-fest film discussion at 1 p.m. Friday, July 31 for those who want to discuss the content or significance of some of the movies. At this discussion, everyone may voice opinions about the movies and Fest 2015.
For reservations for opening night, call 570-996-1500. Tickets are $25. All Summer Fest movie tickets after opening night are $8.50 each, available at the ticket booth or online at dietrichtheater.com. The Dietrich Theater thanks People’s Security Bank and Trust for its sponsorship of Summer Fest 2015.
Film synopses and show times of all seven movies are as follows. All films are in English, unless otherwise noted.
“Far From the Madding Crowd”
Showtimes: 7 p.m. July 24; 7 p.m. July 26; 12 p.m. July 28 and 4:30 p.m. July 30.
Starring: Carey Mulligan, Matthias Schoenaerts, Tom Sturridge and Michael Sheen.
Directed by: Thomas Vinterberg.
Run Time: 119 minutes.
Rating: PG-13.
Based on the literary classic by Thomas Hardy, “Far From The Madding Crowd” is the timeless story of the independent and headstrong Victorian beauty Bathsheba Everdene (Mulligan) who has her choice of three different suitors: Gabriel Oak (Schoenaerts), a sheep farmer; Frank Troy (Sturridge), a handsome Sergeant; and William Boldwood (Sheen), a prosperous bachelor.
“5 Flights Up”
Showtimes: 10 p.m. July 24; 12 p.m. July 26; 5 p.m. July 28 and 2:15 p.m. July 30.
Starring: Morgan Freeman, Diane Keaton, and Cynthia Nixon.
Directed by: Richard Loncraine.
Run Time: 92 minutes.
Rating: PG-13.
Forty years ago, artist Alex Carver (Morgan Freeman) bought a run-down apartment in Brooklyn with his wife Ruth (Diane Keaton). They have spent their lives together in the same apartment and have now become overwhelmed by personal and real estate-related issues when they plan to move away. On the eve of their open house, chaotic modern urban life intrudes on their plans.
“In the Name of My Daughter”
Showtimes: 12 p.m. July 25; 4:30 p.m. July 26; 2:30 p.m. July 28 and 7 p.m. July 29.
Starring: Catherine Deneuve, Guillaume Canet, and Adele Haenel.
Directed by: Andre Techine.
Run Time: 116 minutes.
Language: French with English subtitles.
Rating: R.
When her marriage falls apart, Agnes moves to the South of France to live with her mother, Renee, owner of the Palais de La Mediterranee casino in Nice. There, Agnes falls in love with Maurice, Renee’s business advisor. Agnes disappears in mysterious circumstances. Thirty years on, Maurice remains the prime suspect in a murder case with no evidence. Convinced of his involvement, Renee is prepared to fight to the bitter end to see him put behind bars.
“Iris”
Showtimes: 2:30 p.m. July 25; 5 p.m. July 27; 7 p.m. July 28 and 12 p.m. July 30.
Directed by: Albert Maysles.
Run Time: 83 minutes.
Rating: PG-13
“Iris” pairs legendary 87-year-old documentarian Albert Maysles with Iris Apfel, the quick-witted, flamboyantly dressed 93-year-old style maven who has had an outsized presence on the New York fashion scene for decades. Iris portrays a singular woman whose enthusiasm for fashion, art, people and dressing remind us that life itself is nothing but an experiment.
“Where Hope Grows”
Showtimes: 5 p.m. July 25; 2:15 p.m. July 26; 7 p.m. July 27 and 5 p.m. July 29.
Starring: Kristoffer Polaha and David DeSanctis.
Directed by: Chris Dowling.
Run Time: 95 minutes.
Rating: PG-13.
Calvin is a troubled ex-ballplayer whose career was cut short due to personal problems. Today, he sleepwalks through his days and the challenge of raising his teenage daughter. He finds his life reinvigorated through his friendship with a young man with Down Syndrome named Produce, a local grocery-store employee. Faith, work, purpose and most importantly family, blossom into his life as their friendship develops.
“Love and Mercy”
Showtimes: 7 p.m. July 25; 2:30 p.m. July 27; 12 p.m. July 29 and 7 p.m. July 30.
Starring: Paul Dano, Elizabeth Banks, John Cusack, and Paul Giamatti.
Directed by: Bill Pohland.
Run Time: 120 minutes.
Rating: PG-13.
In the late 1960s, the mercurial singer, songwriter and leader of The Beach Boys, Brian Wilson, struggles with emotional problems as he attempts to craft his pop masterpiece. By the 1980s, Wilson is a broken man under the 24-hour watch of a controlling therapist. “Love and Mercy” presents an unconventional portrait of Brian Wilson, set against the era defining catalog of Wilson’s music.
“Clouds of Sils Maria”
Showtimes: 9:30 p.m. July 25; 12 p.m. July 27 and 2:30 p.m. July 29.
Starring: Juliette Binoche, Kristen Stewart, and Chloë Grace Moretz.
Directed by: Olivier Assayas.
Run Time: 124 minutes.
Rating: R.
Juliette Binoche portrays an actress at the peak of her career. She comes face-to-face with an uncomfortable reflection of herself when she agrees to take part in a revival of the play that launched her career. She departs with her assistant (Kristen Stewart), to rehearse in a remote region of the Alps. A young starlet with a penchant for scandal is to take on the role of the young beauty and Maria finds herself on the other side of the mirror, face to face with an unsettling reflection of herself.
