One of the most talked-about and controversial films of the year, The Art of the Steal, will be opening at both the Ambler and County Theaters on March 19th.  This heated documentary about the move of the famous Barnes Collection from Merion to the Ben Franklin Parkway has already provoked incredible discussion and interest.  We are thrilled to be bringing this excitement to you.

In addition to our regular film run, make sure to mark your calendars for two special nights: Monday, April 5th at the County Theater and Wednesday, April 7th at the Ambler for a special discussion and panel session after the film.  Both of these special screenings will begin at 7:30 and be immediately followed by the discussion.

To get the ball rolling – here are a couple of articles that we found interesting that are worth reading.  Start the conversation in the comments section below, and join us to continue it in person.

- Focus is on ‘The Steal”, Not the Art

- In new home, Barnes’ art risks a chilly fate

- New movie misrepresents the Barnes Collection and its move to Philadelphia

- The Art of the Steal: Barnes-storming

- City’s theft of the Barnes will have consequences

- Manifesto From the Battle for the Barnes Collection

We have three incredible programs this Spring: Essential Arthouse, Local Filmmaker Showcase, and a series we are calling “Art (on) Film”.

Art (on) Film Series:

With six different films and a unique film forum, this series explores the how Art is captured and portrayed by the movie camera and asks the question: what is compelling about the lives of artists that film can open to us?   This series features  documentaries about art collectors and narrative films that bring iconic artists to life.  Documentaries Herb and Dorothy and The Art of the Steal look into the interesting lives of private art collectors.  Girl with a Pearl Earing, Frida, Pollock, and Rivers and Tides explore the lives of artists and their unique contribution to the Art world.  The series will be kicked off with a special film forum with local artists Mavis Smith and Michener Museum curator Erika Jaeger-Smith exploring the mystique of the artist and art collector.  Join us for this adventure into the world of Art (on) Film.

Local Filmmaker Showcase:

With four local filmmakers and two festivals, we will be bringing the best regional filmmakers to our screens.  The County Theater features Doylestown native Patrick Stack’s gritty crime thriller Cat City and Eric Grob and Charlie de Mets bring a special performance of Buster Keaton’s The General with live piano accompaniment.  At the Ambler, Natalie Paige Bently will give the local premier of City of Motherly Love and a special presentation of the documentary Voices of Holocaust History with director Deanne Comer explores the institution of the holocaust courses taught in the Abington School District.  We are also excited to welcome back the Black Maria and Diamond Film Festivals, which showcase the best in experimental and Temple University student films.  Each event will be followed by a question and answer session with the filmmakers.

Essential Arthouse in HD:

This program showcasing the new digital prints of the Janus Film collection continues and includes a special program highlighting Jacque Tati’s inimitable character Monsieur Hulot.  In three unique films, Monsieur Hulot’s Holiday, Mon Oncle, and Trafic, Hulot clashes with technology and the problems of living in an increasingly impersonal and gadgetized world.  In addition to these three films, we are excited to also screen Roman Polanski’s Knife in the Water, David Lean’s Summertime, and Victor Erice’s Spanish classic The Spirit of the Beehive.  All of these films will be presented in newly restored high definition with brilliant image and sound.  Make sure you join us and see these classics in a clarity that you have never seen before.  We will also be making all of these Essential Arthouse films free for students.

With the Oscars only days away, I know that all of you are hunkering down over your ballots and trying to decide to whom you would hand the Academy Award.  While it may be a little challenging to catch and decide between all of the Feature films, it is always the Short films that give me the most trouble.  How should I decide between films I have never heard of, let alone seen?!  The good news is, for the next week, the Ambler and County Theaters will be showcasing the Oscar Nominated Live Action and Animated Shorts.

Not only are these films must-see’s for anyone who wants to get the complete Oscar-night experience, but there is magic in short films that the feature-length films lack.  Shorts require filmmakers to create a world that can draw you in in a short period of  time, a challenge that not every filmmaker is up to.  These ten films are the top that the film industry has put together and make for a brilliant viewing experience.

Details on the films can be found here: http://shortshd.com/theoscarshorts/ But, as a quick summary – the animation category heralds the return of Wallace and Grommit, a Parisian business man looses his wallet, a grandmother forgets the plot to Sleeping Beauty, a sweet old lady contends with the Grim Reaper, and corporate logos go amok.  The live action films deal with the Chernobyl disaster, a magician still living with his parents, an Indian boy dreaming to escape the slums, a dream of a fish encroaching on reality, and a wildly strange set of tenants in a Danish apartment.

Film reviewer and Ambler staff member Nick O’Toole had a chance to get an early look at the Live Action Shorts and was blown away by them.

We hope that you will be able to check out this unique program.  Whether you are preparing yourself for the full Oscar-night experience or just want to check out something new, there is a magic in short films that cannot be matched.  The County and Ambler Theaters are proud to be able to bring these little treasures to the big screen.