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Dear Laemmle Fans,

The vaccination rollout is gaining momentum, and local case numbers are dropping. If we continue to follow safety guidelines and exercise best practices, we may even be able to resume moviegoing before the Academy Awards are given out this Spring (wouldn’t that be nice).

Speaking of the Oscars… nominations have been announced for the Golden Globes and Spirit Awards, two early indicators of voter preferences and awards season attitudes. Nominated films you can catch on Laemmle Virtual Cinema include Another Round, Bacurau, and Miss Juneteenth, among others.

Also nominated for a Golden Globe is today’s top-billed new release, Two of Us, starring Barbara Sukowa and Martine Chevallier as two retired women who have been secretly in love for decades. You can even watch the special filmmaker discussion on our Youtube channel.

Next up is A Glitch in the Matrix, a documentary about the nature of reality which has already proven popular since debuting at Sundance last week (virtually, of course). Another new documentary that should prove equally mind-bending is M.C. Escher: Journey to Infinity, which analyzes the artist’s life and work.

Other new releases include the historical coming-of-age drama Son of the South, the “steamy” erotic thriller PVT Chat, and the New Zealander horror film Reunion. There’s also the expansive and well-reviewed sci-fi drama The Wanting Mare, as well as the British-Reggae-themed documentary The Story of Lover’s Rock.

On the repertory side, we’re re-opening the 1976 country blues documentary Heartworn Highways, alongside a restoration of Tarkovsky’s famed Mirror, from the year after. Lastly, our Frederick Wiseman documentary collection grows larger still, with the addition of his 2018 film Monrovia, Indiana.

All the best,

Greg Laemmle

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Dear Laemmle Fans,

Looking back, it will be hard to associate last year with anything other than the pandemic. But I hope we also remember 2020 as the moment when the Black Lives Matter movement entered the public discourse, spurning meaningful discussions about how best to address and root out the persistent racism that has plagued American society since its foundation.

The origins of Black History Month can be traced back to 1926, when historian Carter G. Woodson and minister Jesse E. Morland chose February to coincide with the births of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas. Exactly 50 years later, when President Ford officially recognized the observance, he called on the public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”

I hope that you’ll take President Ford’s words to heart, and dedicate some time this month to learning more about the strength of the Black community, and the diversity of the African American experience. The stories are all around you – but if you need a place to start, look no further than the films in our special Black History Month collection.

We begin with some Laemmle Virtual Cinema throwbacks, including your favorite film from last year: John Lewis, Good Trouble. Other currently available documentaries we’ve added to the collection include Mr. Soul and Softie, as well as the dramas Mandabi and Miss Juneteenth (featuring an award-winning performances from Nicole Beharie).

For those interested in fresh new releases, keep an eye out for the upcoming historical film Son of the South (2/5) and the relationship-based drama Test Pattern (2/19). On the documentary side, we’re opening the intimate 17 Blocks (2/19), a stunning achievement that uses two decades of home video footage to analyze the challenges faced by a Black family in our nation’s capitol.

We’re also offering a variety of new films about life in Africa, from the indie comedy Two Weeks in Lagos (2/19), to the Ivorian Oscar submission Night of the Kings (2/26). Next up are two films about the African diaspora – The Story of Lover’s Rock (2/5), examining reggae in the United Kingdom, and a re-release of the 1984 drama Quilombo (2/26), which details a 17th century slave revolt in Brazil.

Lastly, but certainly not least-ly, we’re proud to open the curated compilation program Our Right to Gaze (2/14), a series of timely short films ranging in tone from gripping drama to heart-warming comedy, all with one shared theme in mind – exposing the perspective of Black filmmakers.

As America overcomes the pandemic, let’s also commit ourselves to the eradication of racism – whether by direct action, or maintaining pressure on our institutions and elected representatives. I acknowledge that in and of itself, watching a movie on Laemmle Virtual Cinema will not advance that cause. But if a film inspires you to take further action, than it has served a great and glorious purpose.

All the best,

Greg Laemmle

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Dear Laemmle Fans,

Firstly, I’d like to thank everyone who participated in last weekend’s free online screening of 76 Days, courtesy of MTV Documentary Films. You got to experience an interesting movie, and Laemmle Theatres received some additional revenue support… I’d call that a win-win situation. Stay tuned for next week’s free screening of Two of Us (we’ll be sending out an invitation early next week).

For those who can’t wait until then, we’ve got an excellent new batch of films to announce today as well. We begin with Our Friend, starring Casey Affleck, Dakota Johnson, and Jason Segel in a dramatic (yet still very funny) turn. Other dramas include the Japanese film True Mothers, which competed virtually at Cannes last year, alongside Atlantis, the Ukranian submission for this year’s upcoming Oscars.

There’s also Dear Comrades, another upcoming Oscar entry from Russia, which envisions the Novocherkaskk Massacre of 1962 from the perspective of party leaders. It’s a thoughtfully nuanced and starkly poignant work, that manages to conjure classic cinema while reaffirming the ways in which history continues to repeat itself to this day.

Next up is The Reunited States, a documentary outlining the political divisions our country faces, and The Rabbi Goes West, about a Brooklyn Jew looking to make his mark on Montana. Other docs include the intimate and critically-appraised French video-essay Just Don’t Think I’ll Scream, as well as another Fredrick Wiseman title to add to our growing collection – State Legislature (we’re holding City Hall and re-opening Monrovia, Indiana next week).

I’d also like to call attention to The Human Solution, which opened earlier in the week, as well as Softie, an excellent documentary we’ve brought back from September. Lastly, we’re offering a remastered version of Tom Noonan’s 1994 directorial debut, What Happened Was. Like any good throwback, it’s a film that feels remarkably alive and fresh, even as it whisks you back in time.

Again, make sure to stay tuned for another email early next week, with more details on how you can RSVP to our upcoming free virtual screening of Two of Us. And if you want to keep reading (who wouldn’t) – you can check out my other recent blog post about The Donut King by clicking here.

All the best,

Greg Laemmle

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Dear Laemmle Fans,

You may be surprised to learn that I don’t watch every movie we play. There are simply too many films and not enough time to watch them all, so I often approve bookings based solely on the trailer, the critical reviews, or the reputation of the filmmaker or distributor. I mention this because I just recently had time to finish The Donut King, a bio-doc which explores the rags-to-riches story of LA’s own Ted Ngoy. As a multi-generational small business owner who has driven by the DK Donuts on Santa Monica Boulevard countless times, it was fascinating to learn the history of the company, and witness how each successive generation has adjusted to keep the business relevant and fresh (pun intended). The film’s examination of Ted’s personal backstory is both thoroughly entertaining and deeply informative.

So why does The Donut King deserve this blog post? In particular, I was struck by the film’s recount of the USA’s response to the Cambodian refugee crisis, following the rise of the Khmer Rouge. In a bipartisan fashion, our government acknowledged our responsibility towards those whose lives had been destabilized by prior actions in the region, and we admitted a large number of refugees. Military and civilian resources were mobilized to address the humanitarian concerns. Houses of worship and generous individuals provided sanctuary, and assisted with integration efforts. And as with prior waves of immigration, the vast majority of these new American citizens, through hard work and ingenuity, have contributed to the financial and socio-cultural betterment of our country.

Although Laemmle Theatres has been a local fixture for nearly a century, you may again be surprised to learn that I’m the first owner to be born in this country. Our company founders, my grandfather Max and his brother Kurt, immigrated after fleeing religious persecution in Germany (they followed Carl Laemmle, who had immigrated in 1884 and pioneered the early film industry by founding Universal Studios). My father, born in France, was only a small child when he arrived. Their history, and by extension the history of Laemmle Theatres, is not unique – Hollywood is filled with such immigrant stories, and when you look closely enough, so is the whole country.

Our new president has established comprehensive immigration reform as a major priority within his agenda. I am not endorsing the specifics of any particular bill, and I’m sure valid arguments will be made on both sides of the aisle. But for anyone who questions the inherent value of immigration, and wonders whether we should continue to expend all efforts to welcome new people to our shores, I encourage you to watch The Donut King, and to consider the film’s sentiment with an open mind. Whether it’s a distinctively opulent gourmet donut, or a “warp speed” vaccine, America has always gained more from the contributions of immigrants than it has lost by allowing them to settle.

All the best,

Greg Laemmle

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Dear Laemmle Fans,

Regardless of who you supported in the November election, I sincerely hope that we can all feel thankful and honored to be Americans today. Though tumultuous, recent weeks have proven the stability and resilience of our union, even under great stress. Our nation’s sacred streak of peaceful transfers of power remains unbroken – a remarkable fact which many Americans take for granted, but nevertheless leaves me proud. I’m also thankful (albeit less confidently so) about the apparent drop in local Covid-19 case rates, and hopeful that the accelerating vaccine rollout will help to maintain those diminished numbers. Perhaps the light on the horizon really is the sunrise this time… in any case, with less drama on TV, you should have plenty of time to catch up on new Laemmle Virtual Cinema releases.

We begin today’s new offerings with the documentary Notturno, from Oscar nominated maestro del cinema Gianfranco Rosi (Fire at Sea). Notturno seeks to capture the everyday realities of those struggling to survive the violent civil wars, dictatorships, and foreign occupations that besiege the Middle East. Regardless of your opinion on the subject, the film’s painful beauty renders it essential viewing. Another terrific documentary is Coming Clean, an investigation into the personal impact of the ongoing heroin epidemic, from Sundance Grand Jury Winner Ondi Timoner. And for art aficionados, there’s My Rembrandt, which explores the widespread fascination with the work of its namesake painter.

Next up is the drama Cowboys, an empathetic and heartfelt neo-western addressing nature, transgenderism, and childhood in the United States (starring an outstanding and complex Steve Zahn). Other coming-of-age titles include the historical Lebanese film 1982, the French romance The Salt of Tears, and the contemplative Sudanese drama You Will Die at Twenty.  There’s also the subtly thrilling Mexican indie Identifying Features, as well as the striking and Kaufman-esque melodrama Preparations to be Together for an Unknown Period of Time, from Hungarian filmmaker Lili Horvat. On the classic side, we’re re-opening the seminal 1968 work Mandabi (the first film ever made in the Wolof language).

And for those who might have missed a recent email, other popular titles from previous weeks include Some Kind of Heaven, which analyzes the inhabitants of American’s largest retirement community, and Acasa, My Home, a thoughtful Romanian documentary tracing a family’s adjustment to life in the city. Lastly, if you are a member of AMPAS, or any other major industry guild, you may be eligible to watch certain Laemmle Virtual Cinema releases free of charge (click here to sign up or learn more about our guild accreditation process). And if you aren’t a guild member, don’t worry… you can still catch a free screening of 76 Days tomorrow – just sign in, and head to the film’s virtual cinema listing at any time on January 3.

All the best,

Greg Laemmle

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Dear Laemmle Fans,

When the actual news is so dramatic, movies can seem trivial by comparison. But they also provide relief – art “imitates” nature, and can help you make better sense of current events. So take a break from the news cycle, and let Laemmle Virtual Cinema be your guide. Heading into Awards season, there’s never been a better time to shop our wide selection of high quality offerings.

On that note… we begin today’s new virtual releases with Some Kind of Heaven, a delightful and philosophical documentary about the age-resistant residents of America’s largest (and most infamous) retirement community: The Villages, Florida. There’s also Acasa, My Home, which follows a large Romanian family as they struggle to conform to life in the city, after their generational family land is claimed by the government as a National Park.

Next up is Rock Camp, which (as its name implies) concerns the men, women, and children who attend an interactive summer camp to learn from their musical heroes. Other documentaries include Film About a Father Who, a personal cinematic memoir from filmmaker Lynne Sachs, and They Call Me Babu, which reconstructs a young Indonesian woman’s journey using archived footage. We’re also re-opening your Favorite Film of last year, the timely bio-doc John Lewis: Good Trouble.

It’s also a great week for narrative releases, including a never-better Sam Neill in the clever new Australian comedy Rams. There’s also the poignant German drama My Little Sister, starring Nina Hoss, alongside the heartfelt romance The Wake of Light, from indie filmmaker Renji Philip. And for those who missed its initial release, we’ve brought back Miss Juneteenth, in response to the film’s recent Best Actress Gotham Award for Nicole Beharie.

I’m impressed that even during a period of massive shutdowns and closures across the industry, the global film trade has continued to churn out such high quality, unique, and memorable new titles. And while it pains me that we can’t exhibit these films on the big screen where they belong, I’m nevertheless grateful for their availability online (and for your overwhelming support of our digital efforts thus far).

Lastly, I’d like to pay homage to British filmmaker Michael Apted, who passed away last week. He was perhaps best known as the prolific documentarian behind the continuation of the septennial Up Series, although his versatility as an artist extended far beyond that capacity. His biopic Coal Miner’s Daughter was nominated for seven Oscars, including Best Picture, and his 1982 Neo-western Thunderheart will always be a personal favorite. Mr. Apted’s legacy will survive in the continued viewing and study of his films, for many years to come.

All the best,

Greg Laemmle

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Dear Laemmle Fans,

I’m sure that many of you spent this last week reviewing the results of our 2020 Favorite Films survey, and catching up on the array of virtual movies that we’ve brought back from the last few months. But I’m also sure that just as many of you were unable to peel your attention away from the national headlines and news footage that now marks the beginning of this new year.

As I mentioned during the protests following George Floyd’s killing, Laemmle Theatres is an entertainment venue, not a political institution. But as a member of the community, I believe it is also our civic responsibility to not stand idly by when we perceive a threat to our shared democracy. As such, I think it best not to dignify the ugliness of Wednesday’s incident with any sort of nuanced discussion, but rather to call it out explicitly for what it was – an act of indefensible violence.

Moving now to an area that I do feel more comfortable discussing in such a nuanced manner… high quality arthouse cinema. We begin this week’s new offerings with Savage State, a gunslinging French drama set in the American west. It’s rootin’ and tootin’, without being highfalutin. Next up is Beautiful Something Left Behind, an intimate documentary on childhood mourning which we profiled in our last update earlier this week. Another new documentary is The Reason I Jump, which delicately illuminates the lived experiences of those living with autism.

There’s also the Latvian historical war drama Blizzard of Souls, the thought-provoking and minimalist Absent Now The Dead from filmmaker and sound designer Hamilton Sterling, as well as the indie thriller #LIKE and the meta-narrative satire film I Blame Society. Head to our website for more information about upcoming titles in 2021 (including next week’s returning virtual engagement of John Lewis: Good Trouble, the winner of our aforementioned survey).

All the best,

Greg Laemmle

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Dear Laemmle Fans,

Happy New Years! I hope you’ve all had a joyous holiday season so far. Looking back, it’s certainly been a rough year for the world (and for the movie theater industry), but that doesn’t mean great films haven’t continued to be produced throughout. I’d like to thank our film distribution partners for continuing to provide such excellent content over the past nine months, and I look forward to more properly showcasing these films at a later date – in our largest auditoriums, where they belong, with live, safe, public audiences.

Until then, I’m wholeheartedly grateful for our customer support of Laemmle Virtual Cinema since we launched in October. The response has been truly overwhelming, and we hope that with your feedback we’ll continue to improve the functionality and ease of access on the new site as we test and add new features. The vaccine may be imminent, but our virtual offerings will remain for those who prefer the at-home experience, even after we reopen.

Now for the fun part – the winner of this year’s inaugural Favorite Virtual Movie survey is the documentary John Lewis: Good Trouble, by filmmaker Dawn Porter. Congressman Lewis may have left us this year, but the spirit of activism and civic responsibility that he embodied lives on. The contents of the film as well as the timing of its release in relation to this summer’s racial reckonings left me not only sorrowful, but also perhaps more importantly hopeful, which I think makes it a fitting symbol as we look ahead to 2021.

You can access a more detailed report of the survey results by clicking here, and you may have already seen our top-10 countdown on social media. For those of you who missed it, they are: (10) Miss Juneteenth – (9) Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President – (8) The Booksellers – (7) Fantastic Fungi – (6) The Donut King – (5) Bacurau – (4) And Then We Danced – (3) Ella Fitzgerald: Just One of Those Things – (2) Driveways. Some of my personal favorites that missed the top-10 cut, but are still available on our platform and deserving of an honorable mention, include Another Round, 76 Days, and Assassins.

There’s also a new lineup of virtual releases to begin 2021, starting with the musical Stand, adapted from the labor-themed musical Strike. There’s also the war-thriller Shadow in the Cloud, starring Chloe Grace Moretz in a stellar turn as an airborne action hero. Next up is the indie drama Donna: Stronger than Pretty, as well as the intimate short film Caregiver: a Love Story. Lastly, we’ve brought back two popular documentaries from earlier in the year that you may have missed: the investigative historical analysis Coup 53, and Frederick Wiseman’s prolific City Hall.

All the best,

Greg Laemmle

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