TUNKHANNOCK — Summer Fest at the Dietrich Theater is the time to catch up on all the best foreign and independent films of the last few months, a time to explore new worlds, new ideas, new points of view. This Summer Fest, which runs from July 13 through Aug. 2, is sponsored by Peoples Security Bank and Trust — a real friend of the Dietrich.
According to Dietrich film booker Ronnie Harvey, this Summer Fest explores the theme of individual determination in several films: “A Bag of Marbles,” a film that shows the determination of two Jewish boys to escape the Nazi roundup; “Lean on Pete,” the story of saving the life of a horse bound for slaughter; “Little Pink House,” the story of one woman’s courage to save houses from corporate takeover; and “RBG,” the chronicle of Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s incredible climb to becoming a Supreme Court Justice.
Always featured when available are movies about artists or the world of art. “Final Portrait” is a film that explores the friendship of sculptor Alberto Giacometti and writer and art-lover James Lord. “The Gardener” explores gardening as a living art form, set in Quebec.
Summer Fest begins with an Opening Night at 6 p.m. July 13 with two sure-to-please films – “The Seagull” and “Finding Your Feet.” “The Seagull,” a new film of the classic Anton Chekhov play, has a star-studded cast of Saoirse Ronan, Elizabeth Moss, and Annette Benning. A local connection is that Stephen Karam, a Scranton native, adapted the play to the screen. “Finding Your Feet” is a joyous celebration of how dancing can change your life.
Opening Night begins with Nimble Hill beer, wine, and soft drinks, popcorn, cheese and crackers and fruit. Delicious homemade strawberry shortcake made to order for everyone is served between the movies. Tickets cost $25. Call 570-996-1500 for reservations.
Summer Fest ends with a Post-Festival Film Discussion at 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3 at the Dietrich. Join film booker Ronnie Harvey for a rousing discussion of the movies that have just been featured. No need to register. Just show up.
Excluding Opening Night, tickets to all Summer Fest Movies are $8.50 each. The following are showtimes and synopses of all 22 movies featured in Summer Fest 2018:
“102 Not Out”
Show times:
July 15 at 7:15 p.m.
July 20 at 2:30 p.m.
July 26 at 2:15 p.m.
August 1 at 2:00 pm
Rated: PG
Runtime: 102 minutes
Language: Hindi with English subtitles
Directed by: Umesh Shukla
Starring: Amitabh Bachchan, Rishi Kapoor, Jimit Trivedi
“102 Not Out” is an ageless comedy filled with wit, emotion, and commotion that brings together Indian Cinema’s two biggest stalwarts. Dattatraya lives life to the fullest and wants to break the record of oldest living man. He wants to live a stress-free life in order to make his goal possible. However, there is only one hindrance — his son who has resigned himself to a life of old age stuck in drudgery. He now must find ways to change his son’s demeanor so he doesn’t ruin his chances of breaking the record. Little do they realize this roller coaster ride they are now on will change them and their relationship forever.
“After Auschwitz”
Show times:
July 17 at Noon
July 24 at 7:15 p.m.
July 29 at 2:30 p.m.
July 31 at Noon
Rated: Not rated
Runtime: 83 minutes
Language: English
Directed by: Jon Kean
“After Auschwitz” is a “Post-Holocaust” documentary that follows six extraordinary women, capturing what it means to move from tragedy and trauma towards life. These women all married, raised children and became “Americans” but they never truly found a place to call home. What makes the story so much more fascinating is how these women saw, interpreted and interacted with the changing face of America in the second half of the 20th century. They serve as our guides on an unbelievable journey, sometimes celebratory, sometimes heartbreaking, but always inspiring.
“Back to Burgundy”
Show times:
July 17 at 7 p.m.
July 19 at 4:30 p.m.
July 23 at 2:30 p.m.
July 27 at Noon
July 30 at 2 p.m.
Rated: Not rated
Runtime: 113
Language: French with English subtitles
Directed by: Cédric Klapisch
Starring: Pio Marmaï, Ana Girardot, François Civil
Set within the lush backdrop of the French vineyards, “Back to Burgundy” is the tale of three siblings who reunite at their home in picturesque Burgundy to save their family vineyard. The siblings have to learn to reinvent their relationship and trust in each other as they work to preserve the land that ties them together.
“A Bag of Marbles”
Show times:
July 14 at 2:15 p.m.
July 19 at 7 p.m.
July 23 at Noon
July 27 at 2:15 p.m.
July 31 at 4:15 p.m.
Rated: Not rated
Runtime: 110 minutes
Language: French and German with English subtitles
Directed by: Christian Duguay
Starring: Dorian Le Clech, Batyste Fleurial, Patrick Bruel
“A Bag of Marbles” tells the story of the Nazi occupation through the eyes of two young Jewish boys struggling to survive. Despite their naiveté, Roman knows their best chance to escape the Nazi roundup is to flee on their own. Always one false move from tragedy, these boys survive on courage, ingenuity and more than a bit of cunning as they make their precarious way through France hoping to reunite with their family. More than anything, it’s their brotherly bond that gets them through their ordeals.
“Beast”
Show times:
July 21 at 9:15 p.m.
July 26 at 2:30 p.m.
July 29 at 7:00 p.m.
Rated: R
Runtime: 107 minutes
Language: English
Directed by: Michael Pearce
Starring: Jessie Buckley, Johnny Flynn, Geraldine James
“Beast” is a tense and nail-biting psychological thriller about a 27-year-old girl still living at home and feeling stifled by the small island community around her and too beholden to her family to break away. When she meets a free-spirited stranger, a whole new world opens up to her and she begins to feel alive for the first time, falling madly in love. When he is arrested as the key suspect in a series of brutal murders, she is left isolated and afraid. Choosing to stand with him against the suspicions of the community, she finds herself forced to make choices that will impact her life forever.
“Bye Bye Germany”
Show times:
July 14 at 5 p.m.
July 18 at Noon
July 22 at 7 p.m.
July 27 at 4:30 p.m.
Rated: Not rated
Runtime: 102 minutes
Language: German with English subtitles
Directed by: Sam Garbarski
Starring: Moritz Bleibtreu, Antje Traue, Tim Seyfi
“Bye Bye Germany” is a refreshing and unpredictable tale about Jewish survivors that have officially escaped the Nazi regime. Dreaming of leaving for America, the men must figure out a way to make money in these tough post-war times. They decide to sell bed linens and the six talented entertainers begin to go from home to home, praising housewives until the ladies have no choice but to buy their irresistible items. Business flourishes and a bright new future can be seen in the horizon. But questions about one of their pasts catch up to them and tests their bond and relationship with each other.
“Disobedience”
Show times:
July 14 at 9:15 p.m.
July 17 at 4:30 p.m.
July 19 at 2 p.m.
July 20 at Noon
July 24 at 2:15 p.m.
July 25 at 4:30 p.m.
July 27 at 9:15 p.m.
July 30 at Noon
Aug. 1 at 7 p.m.
Rated: R
Runtime: 114 minutes
Language: English
Directed by: Sebastián Lelio
Starring: Rachel Weisz, Rachel McAdams, Alessandro Nivola
From the Academy Award-winning director of “A Fantastic Woman,” “Disobedience” follows a woman as she returns to the community that shunned her decades earlier for an attraction to a childhood friend. Once back, their passions reignite as they explore the boundaries of faith and sexuality amongst this staunch Jewish Orthodox community and along their journey they grapple with faith, guilt, and ultimately love.
“Final Portrait”
Show times:
July 18 at 5 p.m.
July 21 at Noon
July 27 at Noon
July 30 at 7 p.m.
Rated: R
Runtime: 90 minutes
Language: English
Directed by: Stanley Tucci
Starring: Armie Hammer, Clémence Poésy, Geoffrey Rush
“Final Portrait” is the story of the touching and offbeat friendship between writer and art-lover James Lord and eclectic artist Alberto Giacometti, revealing unique insight into the beauty, frustration and chaos of his artistic process. Set in 1964, while on a short trip to Paris, Lord is asked by his friend to sit for a portrait. The process, he promises will take only a few days and so Lord agrees — ultimately wondering “how much longer can it go on like this?”
“Finding Your Feet”
Show times:
July 13 – Opening Night Gala
July 15 at 2:45 p.m.
July 19 at Noon
July 23 at Noon
July 24 at 2:30 p.m.
July 27 at 2:30 p.m.
July 30 at 4:30 p.m.
August 2 at 5 p.m.
Rated: PG-13
Runtime: 111 minutes
Language: English
Directed by: Richard Loncraine
Starring: Joanna Lumley, Celia Imrie, Timothy Spall
“Finding Your Feet” is the feel good film of the year that will have you dancing in the aisles. When Sandra discovers her husband of 40 years is having an affair with her best friend, she seeks refuge in London with her estranged sister. Sandra is a fish out of water next to her outspoken, serial dating, free-spirited sibling. But different is just what Sandra needs. She reluctantly gets dragged to a community dance class, where gradually she starts to find love, herself and begins to find her feet.
“The Gardener”
Show times:
July 16 at Noon
July 20 at 2:15 p.m.
July 31 at 2 p.m.
Rated: Not rated
Runtime: 88 minutes
Language: English
Directed by: Sébastien Chabot
Filmed on a lush 20-acre English style garden in Quebec, “The Gardener” takes the audience on a rich, colorful journey in this new documentary film that reflects on the meaning, power, and expertise of gardening. Influential gardener Frank Cabot recounts his personal quest for perfection, his love for the gardens and his inspiration in creating a renowned living masterpiece.
“The Guardians”
Show times:
July 15 at Noon
July 18 at 2:15 p.m.
July 20 at 4:15 p.m.
July 24 at 4:30 p.m.
July 30 at 2:30 p.m.
August 2 at 7:30 p.m.
Rated: R
Runtime: 138 minutes
Language: French with English subtitles
Directed by: Xavier Beauvois
Starring: Nathalie Baye, Laura Smet, Iris Bry
“The Guardians” is an affecting human drama of love, loss, and resilience that unfolds against the backdrop of World War I. The women of the Paridier farm, under the deft hand of the family’s matriarch, must grapple with the workload while the men are off at the front. She reluctantly brings on an outsider, a hard-scrabble teenage orphan, to help her daughter with the necessary tasks. New tools allow the women to triumph over the land, newfound independence is acquired, yet emotions are stirred when the men return from the front on short leaves.
“Hereditary”
Show times:
July 20 at 9:15 p.m.
July 23 at 7 p.m.
July 28 at 9:15 p.m.
August 2 at 2:15 p.m.
Rated: R
Runtime: 127 minutes
Language: English
Directed by: Ari Aster
Starring: Toni Collette, Gabriel Byrne, Alex Wolff
Starring Academy Award nominated actress Toni Collette, “Hereditary”” is an ominous and deeply disquieting new horror film that moves the genre into chilling new territory. When Ellen, the matriarch of the Graham family, passes away, her daughter’s family begins to unravel cryptic and increasingly terrifying secrets about their ancestry. The more they discover, the more they find themselves trying to outrun the sinister fate they seem to have inherited and must find answers before it’s too late.
“Lean on Pete”
Show times:
July 16 at 4:30 p.m.
July 21 at 2 p.m.
July 29 at Noon
Rated: R
Runtime: 121 minutes
Language: English
Directed by: Andrew Haigh
Starring: Charlie Plummer, Amy Seimetz, Travis Fimmel
Fifteen-year-old Charley arrives in Oregon with his single father, both of them eager for a fresh start after a series of hard knocks. He quickly finds acceptance and camaraderie at a local racetrack where he lands a job caring for an aging Quarter Horse named “Lean On Pete.” When he discovers the horse is bound for slaughter, it prompts him to take measures to spare his new friend’s life. Charley and Pete head out into the great unknown, embarking on a journey across the frontier in search of shelter. They experience adventure and heartbreak, but never lose their irrepressible hope and resiliency as they pursue their dream of finding a place they can call home.
“Let the Sunshine In”
Show times:
July 17 at 2:30 p.m.
July 20 at noon
July 24 at noon
July 26 at 7 p.m.
July 28 at 7 p.m.
July 31 at noon
Rated: not rated
Runtime: 94 minutes
Language: French with English subtitles
Directed by: Claire Denis
Starring: Juliette Binoche, Xavier Beauvois, Philippe Katerine
Juliette Binoche delivers a luminous performance in the deliciously witty, sensuously romantic new film. “Let the Sunshine In.” Isabelle is a divorced painter searching for another shot at love, but refusing to settle for the parade of all-too-flawed men who drift in and out of her life. There’s a banker who happens to be married, a handsome actor who’s working through his own hang-ups and a sensitive fellow artist who’s skittish about commitment. What follows is a romantic comedy that transforms into a poignant and perceptive look at the profound mysteries of love.
“Little Pink House”
Show times:
July 16 at 7 p.m.
July 24 at noon
July 26 at noon
July 29 at 4:30 p.m.
Rated: Not rated
Runtime: 98 minutes
Language: in English
Directed by: Courtney Balaker
Starring: Catherine Keener, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Callum Keith Rennie
Based on the remarkable true story of a small-town nurse who emerged as the reluctant leader of her working-class neighbors, “Little Pink House” is about the struggle to save their homes from political and corporate interests. These corporations plan to seize the land and hand it over to the Pfizer Corporation. The battle went all the way to the Supreme Court and is influential in reforming to curb eminent domain abuses in the U.S.
“On Chesil Beach”
Show times:
July 16 at noon
July 19 at 2:30 p.m.
July 22 at noon
July 25 at 7 p.m.
July 31 at 2:30 p.m.
Rated: R
Runtime: 110 minutes
Language: English
Directed by: Dominic Cooke
Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Emily Watson, Samuel West
Based on the bestselling novel and starring Academy Award nominee Saoirse Ronan, “On Chesil Beach” centers on a young couple of drastically different backgrounds in the summer of 1962. Following the pair through their idyllic courtship, the film explores the societal pressure that can accompany physical intimacy, leading to an awkward and fateful wedding night against the backdrop of the exquisite Dorset shore.
“Pope Francis: A Man of His Word”
Show times:
July 16 at 2:15 p.m.
July 19 at noon
July 23 at 4:30 p.m.
July 31 at 7 p.m.
Rated: PG
Runtime: 96 minutes
Language: English, Italian, Spanish, German
Directed by: Wim Wenders
“Pope Francis: A Man of His Word” is intended to be a personal journey with Pope Francis, rather than a biographical documentary about him. The pope’s ideas and his message are central to this documentary, which sets out to present his work of reform and his answers to today’s global questions. From his deep concern for the poor and wealth inequality, to his involvement in environmental issues and social justice, Pope Francis engages the audience face-to-face and calls for peace.
“RBG”
Show times:
July 14 at 7 p.m.
July 17 at 2:30 p.m.
July 20 at 7 p.m.
July 22 at 5 p.m.
July 26 at noon
July 28 at 4:30 p.m.
August 2 at 2:30 p.m.
Rated: PG
Runtime: 98 minutes
Language: English
Directed by: Julie Cohen, Betsy West
At the age of 84, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has developed a breathtaking legal legacy while becoming an unexpected pop culture icon. This unique personal journey of the diminutive, quiet warrior’s rise to the nation’s highest court has been largely unknown, even to some of her biggest fans — until now. “RBG” is a revelatory documentary exploring Ginsburg ‘s exceptional life and career in the highest court of the land.
“The Rider”
Show times:
July 14 at noon
July 17 at noon
July 22 at 2:30 p.m.
July 27 at 7 p.m.
Aug. 1 at 4:15 p.m.
Rated: R
Runtime: 104 minutes
Language: English
Directed by: Chloé Zhao
Starring: Brady Jandreau, Tim Jandreau, Lilly Jandreau
Based on a true story, “The Rider” follows a once rising star of the rodeo circuit warned his competition days are over after a tragic riding accident. Back home, he finds himself wondering what he has to live for when he can no longer do what gives him a sense of purpose. In an attempt to regain control of his fate, he undertakes a search for a new identity and tries to redefine his idea of what it means to be a man in the heartland of America.
“The Seagull”
Show times:
July 13 – Opening Night Gala
July 15 at 5 p.m.
July 18 at 7 p.m.
July 23 at 2:30 p.m.
July 26 at 4:30 p.m.
July 28 at noon
July 30 at noon
Aug. 2 at noon
Rated: PG-13
Runtime: 98 minutes
Language: English
Directed by: Michael Mayer
Starring: Elisabeth Moss, Saoirse Ronan, Annette Bening
Adapted from the classic play, “The Seagull” follows a summer at a lakeside estate where friends and family gather for a weekend in the countryside. While everyone is caught up in passionately loving someone who loves somebody else, a tragicomedy unfolds about art, fame, and the eternal desire to live a purposeful life. “The Seagull” explores the obsessive nature of love, the tangled relationships between parents and children, and the transcendent value of art.
“Summer 1993”
Show times:
July 16 at 2:30 p.m.
July 21 at 4:30 p.m.
July 25 at 2:15 p.m.
Aug. 2 at noon
Rated: Not rated
Runtime: 97 minutes
Language: Catalan with English subtitles
Directed by: Carla Simón
Starring: Laia Artigas, Paula Robles, Bruna Cusí
“Summer 1993” is a touching autobiographical film that follows the trials and tribulations of 6-year-old Frida who has recently lost her mother. Although her aunt, uncle, and cousin welcome her with open arms, it’s only very slowly that Frida begins to get used to her new home in the countryside. Punctuated by moments of youthful exuberance and mature ruminations, this coming of age drama is an extraordinarily moving snapshot of being a child in an adult world, anchored by flawless performances by its two young stars.
“Tully”
Show times:
July 21 at 7 p.m.
July 25 at noon
July 28 at 2:15 p.m.
Aug. 1 at noon
Rated: R
Runtime: 97 minutes
Language: English
Directed by: Jason Reitman
Starring: Charlize Theron, Mackenzie Davis, Mark Duplass
From the Academy Award nominated team of Jason Reitman and Diablo Cody and starring Academy Awards nominated actress Charlize Theron, “Tully” tells the story of a mother of three, including a newborn, who is gifted a night nanny by her brother. Hesitant to the extravagance at first, she comes to form a unique bond with the thoughtful, surprising, and sometimes challenging young nanny named Tully.
