When we take pictures of ourselves, we usually aim for some kind of ideal. We pose, lift our chins, suck in our guts. We try to game the system, presenting a version of ourselves that leaves everyday flaws behind. We work so hard to hide these aspects that when someone appears on screen looking closer to reality, they are often labeled brave.
Brave to show a version of themselves that foregrounds what we usually conceal. Brave to be a little overweight or—heaven forbid—not wear makeup. And that is just aesthetics. When filmmakers and performers create something so authentically themselves that it reveals their inner messiness alongside the cosmetic, mainstream audiences often don’t know what to do with it.
This week at The Triplex, we are showcasing three films that embody the spirit of being yourself, even if polite society isn’t sure how to handle you: John Waters’ “A Dirty Shame,” an explicit satire from the king of queer camp, presented by Mishmash Radio; Jamie Babbit’s “But I’m a Cheerleader,” a candy-colored coming-of-age story screening as part of Queer Cinema Club Berkshires; and Robert J. Kaplan’s “Scarecrow in a Garden of Cucumbers,” a long-lost musical comedy starring Warhol superstar Holly Woodlawn.
All of these movies were ahead of their time, exuding a comfort with sexuality and identity that mainstream cinema still struggles with. They are stories about people refusing to hide the parts of themselves that might make others uncomfortable—and they capture a kind of glee that only comes when we stop striking a pose and start being ourselves.
Now Playing
“Highest 2 Lowest”
The new thriller from Spike Lee and Denzel Washington.
A music mogul on the verge of a massive merger has his cool demeanor put to the test when a kidnapping threatens everything he has built in “Highest 2 Lowest,” the fifth collaboration between Spike Lee and Denzel Washington. A modern adaptation of Kurosawa’s crime classic “High and Low” that transports the tension to modern day New York, “Highest 2 Lowest” is an expertly crafted thriller that sees director and star firing on all cylinders.
Starts August 15.
“The Life of Chuck”
A life-affirming Stephen King adaptation.
Director Mike Flanagan continues his streak of winning Stephen King adaptations with “The Life Of Chuck,” a story of how one life contains a universe of meaning. Starring Tom Hiddelston, Jacob Tremblay, and Benjamin Pajak as the titular everyman, “The Life Of Chuck” winds back the clock to show how Chuck’s seemingly simple story ripples through the lives of others.
Part of Limited Engagement series, “The Life of Chuck” plays for one week starting on August 15.
“The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg”
See the Peabody-award winning documentary with director Aviva Kempner in person!
Hank Greenberg, the first major Jewish baseball star in the Major Leagues, set records during the Golden Age of Baseball that rivaled those of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. As a first baseman for the Detroit Tigers, Greenberg transcended religious prejudice to become an American icon and a beacon of hope to American Jews who faced bigotry during the Depression and World War II.
Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the Peabody Award-winning documentary “The Life and Time of Hank Greenberg” tells his story through archival film footage and interviews with his fans, former teammates, friends, family, and “Hammerin’ Hank” himself.
Director Aviva Kempner in person for both shows! Hank Greenberg’s niece Lou-Ellen Barkan joins Aviva for the Sunday show!
August 17, at 4 p.m., and August 18, at 7 p.m.
“Mishmash presents: A Dirty Shame”
John Water’s obscene satire!
Host of the long-running freeform radio show “Mishmash,” Michelle Kaplan brings her singular sense of cultural exploration to The Triplex on August 19! Join Michelle for “Mishmash presents: A Dirty Shame,” a screening of the obscenely out-there late John Waters classic starring Tracey Ullman, Johnny Knoxville, and Selma Blair.
In a small town split between the puritanical neuters and the horn-dog perverts, prudish Sylvia Stickles (Ullman) has her life turned upside down after an accident transforms her into a sex-crazed lunatic. As she goes on a rampage through town, Sylvia attracts the attention of Ray Ray (Knoxville), a sexual healer and tow truck driver in search of the world’s greatest orgasm, igniting a sexual revolution that threatens to tear their town apart.
August 19, at 8 p.m.
Queer Cinema Club: “But I’m a Cheerleader”
The cult coming-of-age queer comedy starts our new series!
Join programmer Champika Fernando for the inaugural installment of Queer Cinema Club! A meetup for queer folks in the Berkshires, Hudson Valley, and beyond, Queer Cinema Club is a showcase of some of the best films in the queer canon. First up: Jamie Babbit’s “But I’m a Cheerleader,” the early ’00s conversion-camp, coming-of-age story starring Natasha Lyonne, Clea Duvall, and RuPaul Charles. Pulling inspiration from John Waters, “Edward Scissorhands,” and “Barbie,” don’t miss your chance to see this cult classic on the big screen!
August 20, at 8 p.m.
“12 Angry Men”
Sidney Lumet’s courtroom drama starts our series “Sweaty Cinema”!
We kick off our new series “Sweaty Cinema” next week with Sidney Lumet’s “12 Angry Men”!
A McCarthy-era parable that is still searingly relevant (and dripping with sweat), don’t miss your chance to see Sidney Lumet’s directorial debut when it plays as part of our series “Sweaty Cinema”! This classic courtroom drama is almost entirely confined to one sweltering deliberation room where a lone holdout (Henry Fonda) holds his ground against his fellow jurors as they rush to deliver a guilty verdict.
August 21, at 8:15 p.m.
“Freakier Friday”
Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan are back for another round of body swapping!
Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis see lightning strike twice in “Freakier Friday”! A follow-up to the beloved early aughts comedy sees mother and daughter swap bodies with a new generation right before Anna (Lohan) is set to be married, giving her daughter (Julia Butters) and stepdaughter-to-be (Sophia Hammons) the chance to stop the wedding from happening.
Starts Friday.
Coming Soon
“In the Mood For Love”
Recently named one of the 10 best movies of the 21st century by The New York Times, director Wong Kar-wai’s visually stunning “In The Mood For Love” returns to theaters for its 25th anniversary! An achingly romantic tale of two Hong Kong residents in the 1960s who realize their spouses are having an affair and set out to discover how it happened, only to develop their own deep connection.
Part of our Limited Engagement series, “In The Mood For Love” plays for one week starting on August 22.
“Scarecrow in a Garden of Cucumbers”
Rediscover a lo-fi queer cult classic when we screen “Scarecrow In A Garden Of Cucumbers” on August 23! Starring Warhol factory muse and pioneering trans actress Holly Woodlawn, “Scarecrow” follows Eve Harrington (Woodlawn), an aspiring actress from Kansas who comes to New York and meets a host of zany characters in this musical comedy that includes appearances from Bette Midler and Lily Tomlin.
Long thought lost and never released on home media, don’t miss your chance to see this landmark film on the big screen with a special video introduction from writer Sandra Scoppettone!
August 23, at 8 p.m.
“Dog Day Afternoon”
Our “1975 at 50” series continues this month with “Dog Day Afternoon,” director Sydney Lumet’s deeply human bank robbery tale that is based on a so-wild-it-has-to-be-true story. Starring Al Pacino and John Cazale as two Brooklyn bank robbers who get in way over their heads on one hot summer afternoon, this bitterly funny drama still feels current 50 years after its release.
Free for Triplex Premium members!
August 24, at 5 p.m.
“Jaws”
One screening of Jaws wouldn’t be enough—so we have it for a whole week! Check out Steven Spielberg’s landmark—or is it a watermark?—action blockbuster that follows a sheriff trying to save his small New England island town from a danger lurking deep within the waters when it plays as part of our “1975 at 50” series starting August 29!
Join us for “The Head, the Tail, the Whole Damn thing,” a special interactive screening of “Jaws” with a pre-show costume contest and trivia on August 30!
Starts August 29.
