Baton Rouge is broadening its horizons. Starting in August, Baton Rouge residents can watch the first-runs of the latest indie, foreign and documentary films at the Manship Theatre. After partnering with Emerging Cinema, a digital distributer of independent films, the Manship Theatre can screen movies that were once unavailable to local residents.
According to Jason Langlois, Manship film program associate, Baton Rougeans have waited for this type of cinema, and now Manship can cater to more people’s interests.
The first two “limited release” films are “Your Sister’s Sister” Aug. 6 through 8 and “Take This Waltz” Aug. 24 through 25.
Langlois said these films were chosen because they are recently released and are more “palatable.”
“Your Sister’s Sister” and “Take This Waltz” both focus on the complex nature of relationships, and they feature well-known actors like Emily Blunt and Seth Rogen.
Tickets for these films are $8.50, but students pay $6.50 for a ticket.
Langlois said he hopes the cheaper ticket prices will attract college-aged residents.
Although the two films in August aren’t radical, Langlois said the Manship Theatre isn’t afraid to push the envelope with these independent films.
“We reach out to every aspect of Baton Rouge,” he said. “We can have a kids show one afternoon, then a more edgy film at night.”
Though the Manship Theatre has been showing films regularly for more than a year, this will be the first time residents can see multiple showings of first-run independent films.
Langlois said the Manship Theatre has always had the capability to show films, but the staff has been toying with the idea of screening first-run documentaries, indie and foreign films for about a year.
This partnership with Emerging Cinema began at the Cannes Film Festival in May, when Amy Mitchell-Smith, former head of Baton Rouge Film Commission, met with a representative for Emerging Cinema.
Manship Theatre will also be showing “Ballet in Cinema” and “Opera in Cinema,” which are films of ballet and opera performances from all over the world.
Langlois believes these films will expose resident to more culture.
“Most people can’t afford to go to Moscow and see the ballet,” he said.
The Manship Theatre has scheduled show times for “Your Sister’s Sister” and “Take This Waltz,” but other films haven’t been arranged.
These first-run showings will be scheduled on a month-to-month basis, Langlois said.
He said the films will fill empty spots on the calendar, and, at the beginning of each month, Manship will release a schedule and use social media, local publications and other mediums to inform residents.
Contact Marylee Williams at [email protected].