American Movie (1999) with CÖVEN

What is “American”? What is “movie”? Those are just a couple of questions to consider while watching this documentary about an independent Wisconsin filmmaker grappling with debt, dysfunction, and addiction as he pursues his obsessive cinematic ambitions at all costs. Despite those undeniably dark themes, this is often filed under “heartwarming film about the redemptive power of art.” Which is it or can it be both? It’s essentially a behind the scenes look at the making of the short film Coven, which is depicted as an inept low-budget horror–but is that accurate or did the documentary filmmakers mischaracterize it to fit their thesis? We’ll watch Coven after the feature presentation and then discuss all this and more in round table format.

–robZ

Doors open at 6:30. Suggested donation $5-10. Cash bar and snacks available. 🍺🍷🍿🌭