As production returns to the region with feature films and large TV shows, we’re thrilled to see that on September 13 and 14, local movie theaters will be showing 5 movies with Hudson Valley connections.
CLOSE TO YOU
On September 13 at 7pm, the Story Screen Movie Theater in Hudson will present a special screening of CLOSE TO YOU, featuring Elliot Page and local actor Hillary Baack.
Directed by Dominic Savage, the storyline follows a trans man (Page) who faces family tensions when visiting his hometown. While there, he reconnects with an old flame (Baack), rediscovering himself. His journey leads to self-acceptance and newfound strength.
Actor, writer, director, and producer Hillary Baack will be doing a Q&A following the screening. She studied theater at Wake Forest University, and then in New York at The Barrow Group. She is known for her roles in The East, You & Me and Sound of Metal.
FOR TICKETS, visit Story Screen
CLICK HERE to watch trailer
GOOD ONE
On September 13, at 5pm and 7:15 Upstate Films in Rhinebeck will screen GOOD ONE, directed by India Donaldson and featuring Lily Collias, James Le Gros, and Danny McCarthy.
The narrative follows a weekend backpacking trip in the Catskills during which 17-year-old Sam (Collias) contends with the competing egos of her father and his oldest friend.
Filming took place in the Mid Hudson Valley in June of 2023 primarily in Kerhonkson, New Paltz, and Samsonville. Producer Diana Irvine wrote; "It was so nice to connect in-person, thanks again for all your support during our shoot in June. Reflecting back, we were incredibly lucky to accomplish what we did during such a wild, uncertain time in our industry.”
Actor James Le Gros has worked in the Hudson Valley quite a few times, specifically with Glass Eye Pix on productions including Blackout, Foxhole, Stray Bullets, and Bitter Feast.
Harper’s Bazaar wrote the following about the film, which is also set to screen at the Story Screen in Hudson, The Moviehouse in Millerton and The Mountain Theater in Hunter; An exquisitely detailed and beautifully performed three-way character study describing the discoveries of youth, and the boundaries of experience that announces the arrival of a wonderful new voice in writer-director India Donaldson.
CLICK HERE FOR SCREENING DATES AND TIMES at Upstate Films
WHEN MY SLEEPING DRAGON WOKE
On September 14 at 6:30pm, The Moviehouse in Millerton will present a special screening of WHEN MY SLEEPING DRAGON WOKE, written and directed by Judah-Lev Dickstein and Chuck Schultz, and featuring Colman Domingo, Oskar Eustis, Tracy Brigden, and Sharon Washington.
The documentary follows Veteran actor and TONY-nominated playwright Sharon Washington as she commits to writing a play about her fairytale childhood living inside the St. Agnes Branch of the New York Public Library, but there’s an unforeseen cost – waking the family dragon she thought she’d silenced decades ago.
A talkback and Q& A with Director Chuck Schultz & Sharon Washington will follow the film.
CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS AND MORE INFO
CLICK HERE TO WATCH TRAILER
BETWEEN THE TEMPLES and SING SING, which we covered in August, are still screening.
See below…
BETWEEN THE TEMPLES
CLICK HERE FOR CURRENT SCREENING TIMES at Upstate Films in Rhinebeck or The Moviehouse in Millerton
A special screening of BETWEEN THE TEMPLES directed by Nathan Silver was held on August 19 with daily screenings beginning on August 23. Paul Sturtz of Upstate Films was thrilled with the sold out preview and the local outpouring, which included dozens of crew members and background actors from the film.
It was great to see these unconventional Hudson Valley locations from Tubby's music club to Congregation Emanuel used in such a memorable way,” wrote Sturtz. “With Between the Temples, Sing Sing and Good One we are tickled to be showing such a richly idiosyncratic batch of films set in our region."
The screwball comedy was inspired by Hudson Valley resident Cindy Silver (Nathan’s mom) who decided to plan for her bat mitzvah while in her mid-60s. Carol Kane plays the elderly bat mitzvah student who forges an unlikely bond with a depressed cantor, portrayed by Jason Schwartzman.
The Q&A following the special screening included Nathan Silver, his mom Cindy Silver (a local resident), actor Madeline Weinstein and producer Adam Kersch.
Filming for BETWEEN THE TEMPLES took place in spring of 2023 in Red Hook, Woodstock and Kingston, at locations including Le Canard Enchainé, Congregation Emanuel, Early Terribe, Immaculate Conception Church, Red Hook Golf Club, River Radiology, Tubby’s and a day at Kingston Studios. HVFC worked primarily with co-producer Danny April, who wrote; "Thank you so much for your help on Between the Temples. You really came through on so many occasions and it was a true pleasure collaborating with you.”
BETWEEN THE TEMPLES has received glowing reviews and is currently screening in more than 570 venues nationwide, courtesy of SONY Picture Classics. For local screenings, visit Upstate Films in Rhinebeck or The Moviehouse in Millerton
SING SING
On September 13 at 7pm, SING SING will screen at the Orpheum in Saugerties. Brent Buell will follow up the screening with a Q&A. CLICK HERE for tickets.
On August 22, with the support of A24, the Hudson Valley Film Commission presented a screening of SING SING with a special follow-up Q&A with Brent Buell, who created the RTA (Rehabilitation Through the Arts) program that the film is based on. Paul Raci (Sound of Metal) stars as Brent along with a cast featuring Colman Domingo (Rustin, The Color Purple), Clarence Maclin, Sean San Jose, Divine G and 52 local background actors. Sharon Washington, also took part in the Q&A. She portrays a parole officer with some very memorable lines.
Directed by Greg Kwedar, SING SING focuses on Divine G (Domingo). Imprisoned at Sing Sing for a crime he didn’t commit, he finds purpose by acting in a theatre group with other incarcerated men. When a wary outsider joins the group, the men decide to stage their first original comedy, in this stirring true story of resilience, humanity, and the transformative power of art, starring an unforgettable ensemble cast of formerly incarcerated actors.
Filming for SING SING took place in July and August of 2022. The Hudson Valley Film Commission got involved in May after a phone call from producer Clint Bentley. “The timing was perfect,” recalls HVFC executive director Laurent Rejto. “I had just visited Downstate Correctional in April. It was a maximum-security prison in the Town of Fishkill that had just been decommissioned. Our hope was that we could bring in some films and TV shows that could help create jobs and economic development. The phone call from Clint resulted in a few more visits and confirmation that the indie film would film primarily at Downstate.”
The film commission also helped with several other locations including Beacon High School and the Mid-Orange Correctional Facility, which HVFC had visited and cataloged in 2014 for a Warner Bros. pilot.
In addition to locations, the Film Commission made several crew recommendations and worked with Rita Powers Casting to find background actors who preferably had ‘prison experience.’ As it turned out, many of the background actors that were cast, had been prison guards or inmates.
“It was a unique casting call for sure,” remembers Rejto. “Many of the lead actors also had prison memories that affected their performance greatly. The fact that so many background actors had those same experiences benefited the film greatly. We made sure to invite all those background actors to the special screening. Many of those involved came to the special screening and expressed how the film's message had inspired them.”
The entire production of SING SING will remain inspiring to everyone at the film commission as well. And we’re grateful to the production team for making it a reality. "You made filming in the Hudson Valley a pleasure,” noted co-producer Karin Shiel. “The vast resources you shared, your community connections and insights, and your troubleshooting were invaluable. Thank you for welcoming us and being a steady support throughout our entire production. We look forward to more filming in the Hudson Valley in the future!”
SING SING continues to receive remarkable reviews as it opens slowly across the country. For more information about screenings, visit A24.
The Hudson Valley Film Commission is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that works to engage, support and promote regional Film & TV productions. In 2024, we celebrate our 25th year, and will continue to recommend thousands of locations, local crew members, actors, background extras, qualified production facilities, post production houses and more.
The Hudson Valley Film Commission is supported in part by the following organizations. None of the work listed above would be possible without their support. Please help us continue our efforts with a tax-deductible contribution at https://tinyurl.com/hvfcsupport
Dutchess Tourism – Dutchess Tourism brings tourism dollars to area businesses by marketing and promoting the assets of Dutchess County to the nation and the world.
Putnam Tourism – Putnam is a small but mighty treasure trove of crystal lakes, beautiful hiking trails, historic sites, art and cultural experiences and quaint restaurants and shops.
Markertek.com – An industry leader in audio and video, Markertek carries a full complement of camera accessories, lighting gear, cables, expendables and more for all levels of film production.
Founding & continued support is graciously provided by the Wood Dock Foundation.
We’re also very grateful from the generous support of the Blavatnik Family Foundation.
Additional support is provided by Stewart’s Shops, 120dB Films and private donors.