Jacob Burns Film Center

A Look Back at Fabulous Fall Events PLUS, Next Year’s Dates!

November 12, 2021 by The Inside Press

COMMUNITY DAY

“The Rotary Club of Chappaqua, in collaboration with the Town of New Castle, hosted a successful 2021 New Castle CommunityDay. Success was due to generous sponsors, participating exhibitors, and the New Castle community. Funds raised will benefit local and global charities. We are thrilled we have a great opportunity to help those in need. On Saturday, September 17, 2022, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Community Day will once again blend community, personal enjoyment and giving service to others.” Marlene Canapi, president, Rotary Club of Chappaqua

FEED ME FRESH: AN EDIBLE EVENING

FEED ME FRESH PHOTOS by: (c)Hidenao Abe, StudioAbe

“Mount Kisco Child Care Center’s 17th Annual Feed Me Fresh: An Edible Evening was spectacular on September 25 thanks to all the amazing sponsors and volunteers. Over $220,000 was raised for MKCCC’s Scholarship Program toward high quality, affordable care, and early education to a diverse group of children in a safe, healthy environment through innovative and developmentally appropriate programming. Next year’s date: September 17, 2022!” Helen Bock, Director of Development, mkccc.org

CHAPPAQUA CHILDREN’S BOOK FESTIVAL

“The eighth Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival on October 2 was a celebration of coming back together as a community of readers. Our 70 plus authors signed thousands of books and loved talking to area families. We will return on October 15, 2022, at our full capacity of 120 plus authors. We are so grateful to the Town of New Castle, our sponsors, volunteers, partners and friends.” Dawn Greenberg, founder, ccbfestival.org

First Congregational Church COMMUNITY YARD SALE & BOUTIQUE

(L-R): Kathy Thorsberg, Olga Seham, Bill Spade, Jon Russell, Carl Thorsberg, Chrissy Chapin, Jason Chapin, Rev. Martha Jacobs and Bill Swenson. Inside Press Photo

A Community Yard Sale and Boutique on September 25 brought together nearly a dozen boutique vendors and over 30 yard-sellers to the First Congregational Church of Chappaqua. Due to its success, a spring-time sale is anticipated too. “It was a beautiful day, and everyone had a great time … people got to see people they hadn’t seen in a long time.” Rev. Dr. Martha Jacobs, fcc-chappaqua.org/

THE ARMONK OUTDOOR ART SHOW

Photos Courtesy of the Armonk Outdoor Art Festival

“The Armonk Outdoor Art Show on September 25 & 26 was a huge success featuring 160 amazing exhibitors. The show had record high attendance, wonderful support from sponsors and volunteers, strong sales for our amazing artists and lots of positive energy. We’re grateful to all who contributed to a truly wonderful show. Hope to see you next year, October 1 & 2, 2022, for our 60th Anniversary!” Anne Curran, director, armonkoutdoorartshow.org

OKTOBERFEST

Pleasantville Oktoberfest on October 2nd was sponsored by the Pleasantville Chamber of Commerce and the Village to support our local businesses. The event was an incredible success as it brought together families and friends who have not been together since the Covid-19 pandemic started. We thank the Pleasantville Police Department, Department of Public Works, the Village Department, and the Chamber for a joint effort to provide a spectacular event to our great residents. We plan on hosting this event again next year in the first weekend of October 2022.” -W. Paul Alvarez, Pleasantville Village Trustee. pleasantville.com

A wheel of fortune at a booth for the Jacob Burns Film Center during Pleasantville’s first Oktoberfest Inside Press photo

ARMONK CIDER & DONUT FESTIVAL AND 2021 RUN FOR LOVE

Sponsors, volunteers, The Byram Hills Preschool Association, The Love family, and the Town of North Castle all came together to create this year’s Armonk Cider & Donut Festival, the BHPA Fall Carnival and the 2021 Run for LOVE. “What makes the festival unique is the breadth of activities from the Run for Love road races, a kids’ carnival, and our distinctive donut making right in the Park. This year the Food trucks were a big hit. Save the date for next year: September 18th 2022!“ Neal Schwartz, Chamber President armonkchamberofcommerce.com

A happy participant at the Armonk Cider & Donut Festival. Resident photo courtesy to the Inside Press

Byram preteens and teens–all contestants in the 2021 Run for Love Resident photo courtesy to the Inside Press

AND MORE…

Batgirl at an all day family fun festival preceding the New Castle Halloween Ragamuffin Parade Inside Press photo

A craft activity during the New Castle Historical Society’s 1860s themed Family Fun Day Inside Press photo

A Community Focus at the Jacob Burns Film Center

February 18, 2021 by Christine Pasqueralle

Margo Amgott, Interim Executive Director, Jacob Burns Film Center

How a Cherished Movie House and Cultural Center is Staying the Course

Situated in the heart of Pleasantville’s vibrant downtown, the Jacob Burns Film Center (JBFC) is a beloved institution in the community, as well as a destination for film lovers from all over Westchester and beyond. Since opening in 2001, the JBFC has welcomed over 3,000,000 people to its five-screen theater complex to enjoy the best of American and foreign film, unique film series and special events. Forced to keep its physical doors closed due to COVID, the JBFC is still going strong, producing a variety of virtual content that lets patrons interact from the comforts of home.

Speaking with Margo Amgott, JBFC’s Interim Executive Director, one really understands the love and respect between the community and the JBFC. “The community has been so warm and wonderful, so thoughtful. I haven’t worked in a community that works to support an institution as much as the JBFC community has. From the founding board members, founding staff and staff today, they have built relationships–a wonderful example of community-based work.”

Still from the film COLLECTIVE, which will be part of the JBFC Romanian series.

Virtual Screening Room

The JBFC has found a number of alternative ways to engage patrons through a wide variety of content including new releases and curated film lists to stream from home, family-friendly activities and resources to help make life at home more enjoyable. One of its most popular services is the JBFC’s Virtual Screening Room.

The JBFC works with film distributors to offer a curated selection of new and classic films to the community. Each screening purchased helps to support the JBFC as well as independent distributors. Recently, the JBFC has started streaming on their own platform, Eventive, which allows viewers a more streamlined way to engage virtually. Its first events held on Eventive were the Romanian Film Festival in late February and the Arab Film Festival in early March.

Free live-streamed events are another popular offering of the JBFC. Past events have included live virtual Q&A’s with filmmaker and JBFC Board member Ron Howard and another with Viggo Mortensen, director/writer/star of Falling. Upcoming events are always in the works so be sure to check JBFC’s website.

The popular What We’re Watching is an ongoing series where members of the JBFC Programming team casually chat about what recent films and other content they’ve liked, disliked and why. Anything goes in this popular streaming series. The JBFC Education blog is filled with family-friendly activities, how-to videos, streaming content and more.

Classroom To Screening Room

The JBFC is also fully committed to the education of children. The recently-launched virtual Classroom to Screening Room program allows students in grades 3 through 12 to explore social, economic and cultural forces all through the power of film. The program, which has been offered throughout Westchester for nearly 20 years has now been made available online locally and on a national level at no cost for the 2020-21 school year.

Amgott is hopeful that the JBFC can re-open its doors for its 20th anniversary celebration this summer. But even if that doesn’t happen, the JBFC has big plans in the works which includes retrospectives from the past 20 years. “We would love to be open by summer but plan for both ways. We miss our community.” She does say that once the theater re-opens, the idea of having the diverse experience of in-person and virtual offerings is very appealing. “Customers can do it both ways–curl up in pj’s at home or come in person and see friends. It has pushed us to think more broadly on how we provide entertainment to those who support movies.”

Bruni Burres and JBFC Founding Director of Film Programming Brian Ackerman

In addition to making many necessary improvements including state-of-the-art air handling, an outdoor box office and sanitizing procedures, the JBFC is refreshing and improving the theater as a whole, to make it an even more welcoming, attractive and comfortable customer experience.

One of those improvements is the re-lamping of the theater marquee, with help from a generous donor. The theater wants to take a more sustainable approach and the beautiful marquee will be one of the first things people see when they arrive. “We feel an obligation to the community to do this and bring light to the building. It can really bring life to the theater which has been dark these months,” says Amgott. In the coming months, look for a rotating art exhibition on-hand as well.

When the JBFC is ready to re-open its doors, the community is sure to be out in full force, embracing it with open arms. But for now, patrons both near and far can enjoy all the JBFC has to offer from the comforts of home. And that is a pretty incredible thing.

What We’re Watching members of the JBFC Programming team sit down to chat about what they’ve had their eyes on recently. In this casual discussion series, anything goes: from film festival highlights and movies in our Virtual Screening Room, to worthwhile television programs and yes, even purchased disc media! Each discussion starts at 7 pm–every other Tuesday night and will go for about an hour. Founding Director of Film Programming Brian Ackerman, Senior Film Programmer Andrew Jupin, Programmer Saidah Russell, Film Programming Coordinator Adrienne Frank.

Virtual Screening Room for the Jacob Burns Film Center: Saint Frances + Corpus Christi Open

March 27, 2020 by The Inside Press

JBFC has been looking for new ways to bring cinema to you. Its staff is working with film distributors to keep new releases coming. In the JBFC Virtual Screening Room you’ll find films curated by JBFC programmers that you can watch at home. Like many cinematic engagements, films will be available for screening purchases for one week to start; if demand is sufficient, the title will be “held over” for additional weeks.

“We’re grateful that we’re able to continue programming exciting new releases for you while we look forward to coming together again.”

Saint Frances

A Note From Programming Coordinator Adrienne Frank About the Film

“I had no idea when I sat down to watch Saint Frances last week how much of a healing balm it would be for me in this moment; it’s a film that overflows with humanity and hope in its most honest, messy, and rewarding forms.

Saint Frances is so many things–feminist comedy, coming-of-age story, indie family drama–but I think I’m most impressed with what it’s not: it’s not an “abortion movie,” or an “LGBTQ movie,” or a “postpartum depression movie.” Instead, it’s a movie that incorporates all of these topics but allows them to exist as they exist in reality–as facets of much more complex characters, lives, and experiences. To see these topics (all very near and dear to my heart) presented in a film so empathetically and unabashedly was a breath of fresh air.

On top of having a stellar cast and snappy dialogue, Saint Frances also made me laugh, made me cry a little, and left me feeling better than it found me, and right now, that’s all I could ask for out of a movie. I hope you enjoy!”

Saint Frances Synopsis

Flailing thirty-four-year-old Bridget (Kelly O’Sullivan) finally catches a break when she meets a nice guy and lands a much-needed job nannying six-year-old Frances (played by a scene-stealing Ramona Edith-Williams). But when an unwanted pregnancy, clashes with the obstinate Frances, and a growing tension between her charge’s moms complicate her new life, Bridget must contend with the inevitable joys and chaos of becoming a part of someone else’s family.

Learn More

Corpus Christi

A Note From JBFC Programmer Saidah Russell and JBFC Special Events Programmer Nicole Klein About the Film

“In recent years, we boldly entered the Era of the Hot Priest (Fleabag, First Reformed, The Young Pope). However, we haven’t seen any quite like Corpus Christi’s Daniel, played with charm and ferocity by captivating newcomer Bartosz Bielenia. We went into our screening at TIFF this past September with little idea of what to expect, and were completely blown away. Filmmaker Jan Komasa, in his third feature, combines elements of crime drama, morality tale, and character study to explore ideas around faith and redemption in contemporary Poland. It’s an extremely ambitious vision, one that consistently surprises and thrills. It quickly became one of our favorite films from the festival and we were shocked and elated to see it receive an Academy Award nomination this year for Best International Feature. The acclaim is totally deserved and, despite the lack of a traditional theatrical release, we’re still really excited that Film Movement’s given us the opportunity to share it with all of you.”

Corpus Christi Synopsis

Released from prison, 20-year-old Daniel is sent to a remote village to work as a manual laborer. But he convinces the locals that he is a priest and fills in for their elderly vicar, inspiring some and raising suspicion among others. Led by an impressive Bartosz Bielenia, this thoughtful, engaging, Oscar-nominated Polish film examines questions of faith and redemption, and is not to be missed.

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Bacurau

Bacurau Synopsis

A few years from now… Bacurau, a small village in the Brazilian sertão, mourns the loss of its matriarch, Carmelita, who lived to be 94. Days later, its inhabitants (among them Sônia Braga) notice that their village has literally vanished from online maps and a UFO-shaped drone is seen flying overhead. There are forces that want to expel them from their homes, and soon, in a genre-bending twist, a band of armed mercenaries led by Udo Kier arrive in town, picking off the inhabitants one by one. A fierce confrontation takes place when the townspeople turn the tables on the villainous outsiders, banding together by any means necessary to protect and maintain their remote community. The mercenaries just may have met their match in the fed-up, resourceful denizens of little Bacurau.

Join the JBFC for our very first socially-distanced Q&A! On Thursday, April 2 at 7:00, Senior Programmer Andrew Jupin will lead an informal discussion via Zoom. Andrew will be sharing his thoughts about the film Bacurau. The audience–that’s you!–will have the opportunity to participate and ask questions via the chat feature.

This is as new to us as it is for you! We look forward to meeting you in this virtual space and learning together as we find ways to experience films as a community.

Learn More

We continue to find ways to connect you with film and the Burns through this period of stay-at-home distancing. We hope that you’ve seen our last couple of e-bulletins with fun and entertaining links. For a roundup of all we’ve suggested and put together for you already, visit JBFC at Home on our website.

Check out our Virtual Screening Room FAQ if you have any questions about streaming films from home.

Pleasantville: A Close-Knit Community with Walkability

February 21, 2020 by Christine Pasqueralle

It can be said that residents of Pleasantville “bleed green” (the school district’s official color). Many in the community don’t just consider themselves residents, but members of a tight-knit community that is always there to help one another. The Gorsuch family has called Pleasantville home since 2008. Abe, a private financial advisor for a large bank, Jenn, co-owner of Go Take a Hike Dog Walking with fellow Pleasantville mom, Beth D’Alessandro, Elizabeth, age 15 and Jack, age 12 love living in Pleasantville.

The family moved from the Upper West Side citing the great schools and quick city commute and soon embraced everything Pleasantville had to offer. It was hard to adjust with both parents working full-time in Manhattan, but as Jenn said, the community made it so much easier. “I met so many wonderful families just because we don’t have any buses. This is a walking community, we were forced to make new friends at school pick-up, the library, the playground. Lifelong friendships were made and I then knew we had the ideal community to raise a family in.”

The Pleasantville community comes together both in happy times and times of tragedy. After a recent loss in the community, Jack said to Jenn, “Mom, we did not have to know the family to be sad, this is Pleasantville, we are family.” Jenn continues, “We don’t just support each other during a tragedy, we are there to celebrate each other, coach each other, parent together.” One event the family participates in each year is Break the Hold’s Into the Light Walk, which aims to break the stigma on mental illness and honor the memory of Pleasantville’s own Brian T. Halloran.

The Gorsuch family enjoys walking to most places in town. Some favorite spots include the farmers market, Jacob Burns Film Center, Arc Stages and countless restaurants such as Bistro 146. There are many community events throughout the year such as the Halloween Ragamuffin Parade, Pleasantville Day, and the fire department parade.

As Jenn says, “There is nothing like this village. I am truly blessed and so lucky to be part of it and my family is too. You can see as people come back to raise their own families here after growing up here. We are a special mix of people.”

Michael Douglas Holds Court at Jacob Burns Film Center Silver Screen Circle Dinner

November 22, 2019 by The Inside Press

Academy Award-winning actor Michael Douglas was the guest of honor at the Jacob Burns Film Center (JBFC) annual Silver Screen Circle dinner held on November 13 at the Film Center in Pleasantville. Douglas and JBFC Board President Janet Maslin were on stage to entertain the audience with film clips and conversation before the seated dinner.

PHOTOS BY Russell Peborde