For anyone unwilling to shell out $9.50 at Evanston’s Century Theatres (and that’s before the popcorn), Evanston’s Reeltime offers a free alternative.
Reeltime, a nonprofit organization founded in Evanston, screens independent films at the Evanston Public Library and the Block Cinema once a month. A discussion of themes presented in the film follows the screening. Filmmakers and outside speakers are invited to lead the discussion and answer questions from the audience, said Kathy Berger, Reeltime’s co-founder and co-director.
“Reeltime’s distinctive feature is the whole public-dialogue aspect,” Berger said. “We’ve become more isolated … people are watching DVDs at home, or they’re on their iPods or computers. What’s missing is the exchange of ideas and opinions with the community.”
Reeltime also acts as a platform for independent filmmakers to show their work to a live audience and get feedback, Berger said.
“Many people in the audience would say, ‘Where do we get to see these films? We don’t want to wait until once a year to get to see them,'” Berger said. “So, I thought, ‘Why wait for once a year? Why can’t we bring independent films to where we live on a regular basis?’ And Evanston was a good place for it.”
Organizers said Evanston has been a good venue. Anywhere from 50 to 150 people attend the monthly screenings, Berger said. Reeltime events attract all different kinds of viewers, ranging from people in their 20s to 80s and those with and without money. “Sometimes, we have people who are homeless,” Berger said. “They come in off the streets to the Community Room, and that’s why we want to keep Reeltime free.”
Reeltime receives funding from several sources, including the Evanston Community Foundation, the Illinois Humanities Council, the Illinois Arts Council and individual donations.
“We keep getting grants because these foundations recognize that we’re doing what we set out to do,” Berger said. “And the community responds in kind. The community enjoys these films.”
This year, Berger and Sommer expanded the organization by creating the Talking Pictures Film Festival, Evanston’s first independent film festival. More than 1,000 people attended, Berger said.
Scott Curtis, a Northwestern Radio-TV-Film professor, judged live action and animated short films at the festival.
A film called “Sita Sings the Blues” won the prize in the animation category. For the live-action category winner, Curtis chose a film called “Blood of the Wolfman.”
Curtis has been involved with Reeltime from the very beginning. He hosted the first Reeltime event, which showcased a film starring Evanston-native John Cusack and an interview with the film’s writer, Richard Cusack, John’s father.
“I think Kathy and her co-conspirators have really tapped into something that is very popular here in Evanston,” Curtis said.
