HIWAY THEATRE Announces Opening Night Line-up, February 15th
Exclusive Q&A with Last Stop for Paul Writer, Dir. & Prod. Neil Mandt
The Most Award Winning Independent Film of ‘07
Road Trips and Amazing Journeys film series runs Feb. 15-21st
PHILADELPHIA – On February 15th, the Hiway Theatre, located at 212 Old York Road in Jenkintown, will premiere the film series, Road Trips and Amazing Journeys to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the historic theatre’s reopening. The opening night celebration will begin with a screening of director Walter Salles’ acclaimed feature The Motorcycle Diaries (2004), chronicling the adventures of a young Che Guevara, followed by the featured selection for the evening – the critically acclaimed comedy Last Stop for Paul. Hailed as, “A unique accomplishment. Always entertaining. Very funny and at times quite touching” by film critic Richard Roeper, the film is slated for theatrical release in March. Following the exclusive screening, Writer, Producer and Director Neil Mandt will be on hand for a Q&A with audience members. The evening will close with a late night screening of The Secret Cinema’s collection of vintage travel films. [A full schedule of opening night follows below.]
The Road Trips and Amazing Journeys film series runs thru February 21st at the Hiway Theatre. For tickets, information on upcoming events and the history of the theatre, visit www.hiwaytheatre.org or call (215) 886-9800.
Last Stop for Paul – Winner of 45 International Festival Awards and touted as The Most Award Winning Independent Film of 2007 – presents the unique story of Neil Mandt and Cinematographer Marc Carter, who set out on an around the world journey to film a story about two friends, characterized as Cliff and Charlie, traveling to the famous Full Moon Party in Thailand. Equipped with one camera, two wireless microphones, three batteries, and a rough story outline, the filmmakers traveled without a crew, a cast or having scouted one location. There were no casting calls along the way, just strangers picked up on the street to either act in a scene or play cameraman as Neil and Marc delivered improvised lines. The outcome has proven to be a smart, funny and poignant story about world travel.
The Secret Cinema will close opening night with Bon Voyage: Vintage Travel Films, a collection of rare original 16mm film illustrating the range of styles and approaches used by early travel filmmakers. The program includes both silent films and talkies, from vintage promotional travel films to educational films including An Egyptian Adventure (1928, dir. Louis de Rochemont), The Story of Our National Parks (U.S. Department of Interior, 1920s silent era), Fairest Eden from the William M. Pizor Port O’Call series (1931), and shorts by Burton Holmes and James A. FitzPatrick, among others. For more on The Secret Cinema series, hosted by Jay Schwartz, visit www.thesecretcinema.com.
The Road Trips and Amazing Journeys series highlights tales of travel, both physical and metaphysical, personal journeys of the heart and spirit, and more. The series will also screen Brazilian director Andrucha Waddington’s The House of Sand (2005), celebrated director Susanne Bier’s Academy Award-nominated film After the Wedding (2006), and director Julie Taymor’s hit Across the Universe (2007), among others. A complete schedule of series events including additional show times will be announced soon.
OPENING NIGHT SCHEDULE, Friday, February 15th
4:30 p.m. The Motorcycle Diaries
7:00 p.m. Last Stop for Paul followed by Q&A with director and star Neil Mandt
10:00 p.m. The Secret Cinema presents Bon Voyage: Vintage Travel Films
FILM SYNOPSIS – Last Stop for Paul
Cliff and Charlie work together selling bathroom supplies for a wholesaler in Los Angeles. Charlie is a seasoned traveler, he takes adventure trips whenever he can, while Cliff only talks about leaving his mundane surroundings. When Charlie asks Cliff to join him to the famous Full Moon Party in Thailand, Cliff surprises no one with his predictable excuse to stay on life’s bench. Things suddenly change when Cliff’s childhood friend dies unexpectedly. At the funeral, Cliff learns his buddy had planned a trip around the world. Cliff vows to make sure his friend still makes that trip, even if it means carrying his ashes in a thermos to do it. Together all three embark on a trip of a lifetime as they travel to the Caribbean, South America, Europe and Asia. Shot in over 20 countries, Cliff and Charlie have unbelievable adventures in every location and their lives are changed forever. View the trailer online at www.laststopforpaul.com.
ABOUT HIWAY THEATRE:
Built in 1913, the one-screen movie house can trace its history to the silent film era. Now an important cultural landmark for the Montgomery County and Greater Philadelphia region, the Hiway Theatre operates as a nonprofit member-supported community theatre, offering a unique cinematic experience that enlivens the human spirit, fosters dialogue and promotes learning in an unparalleled environment. The single-screen movie house evokes an earlier time with its retro interior finishes and original fixtures, while incorporating modern conveniences, complete with 320 new seats for the auditorium, updated projection equipment, Dolby surround sound, as well as an expansion of the lobby with a full service concession stand. In addition to screening first run films, the Hiway has been an annual venue for the Philly Film Fest and the CJHSA Holocaust Film Series and hosts a number of regular programs including the Children’s Matinee Series, Monthly Film Discussion, Classics Series, and Movies Under the Stars, a free, summertime, outdoor program in collaboration with the Abington Art Center, among others.
Press Contact:
Canary Promotion + Design
Emaleigh Doley, emaleighATcanarypromo.com
Post new comment