Coming Feb 24th 2:30 PM

Make Me Famous

1h 33min | NR

Make Me Famous offers a unique lens into the rise and fall of the East Village art scene in 1980s New York City, centering on the little-known neo-expressionist painter Edward Brezinski. Premiering at the New York Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender Film Festival, this evocative documentary received acclaim from critics and provides a compelling exploration of art, fame, and the cultural landscape of its era.

Q&A with Filmmakers Brian Vincent and Heather Spore will follow the screening.

February 25th 4:45pm

Household Saints

2h 4min | R

Household Saints is a captivating film released in 1993 and now being reintroduced to audiences through a re-release version. Set in the close-knit Italian-American community of New York City, the movie tells the story of Joseph Santangelo, a hardworking butcher, and his daughter Catherine. Filled with religious fervor and an unwavering dedication to her faith, Catherine experiences a series of mystical episodes that lead her to believe she is destined for sainthood. As her devotion and visions intensify, the film explores the delicate balance between faith and reality, love and sacrifice, as the Santangelo family grapples with the challenges posed by Catherine’s extraordinary spiritual journey. Household Saints is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged film that delves into the complexities of faith, family, and the pursuit of transcendence.

Q&A w/ director Nancy Savoca and producer Richard Guay.

Coming March 1st

Hundreds of Beavers

1h 48min | NR

In this 19th century, supernatural winter epic, a drunken applejack salesman must go from zero to hero and become North America’s greatest fur trapper by defeating hundreds of beavers.

Coming March 2nd at 12:15 pm

Up from the Streets: New Orleans: The City of Music

1h 40min | NR

A film looking at the culture of New Orleans through the lens of music.

Hosted by Oscar nominee and 6-time Grammy Winner Terence Blanchard, the film tells the story of how music and culture intersected to create a distinct form of expression.

This film is shown in partnership with New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation.

Post-film talk back with special guests: Moderated by Wayne Winborne, Executive Director of the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University.

Very special guests:

• Terence Blanchard: Acclaimed as one of the foremost contemporary jazz trumpeters, Terence Blanchard has developed a secondary career scoring features, many of them directed by Spike Lee. The Metropolitan Opera in New York staged Blanchard’s opera Fire Shut Up in My Bones in its 2021–2022 season, the first opera by an African American composer in the organization’s history.
• Michael Frierson: A professor in Media Studies at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Frierson recently completed an hour-long documentary Fred Chappell: I am One of You Forever that aired on PBS NC in fall 2022. He was Co-Producer on Up from the Streets.
• Jonathan Solari, Director of Development at New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation.

Coming March 10th 12:15pm

Crossing Delancey (1988)

1h 37min | PG

Crossing Delancey is a 1988 American romantic comedy film adapted by Susan Sandler from her play of the same name, and directed by Joan Micklin Silver. It stars Amy Irving and Peter Riegert. The film also features performances from David Hyde-Pierce, Sylvia Miles and Rosemary Harris. Amy Irving was nominated for a Golden Globe for the film, for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical

Thirty-something Isabelle “Izzy” Grossman (Amy Irving) spends her time going from her tiny, solitary West Side apartment to that of her grandmother (Reizl Bozyk) on the Lower East Side. In between, Izzy builds a glowing reputation at the swank bookstore where she works. While her grandmother plots to find her a romantic match, Izzy is courted by a married, worldly author, Anton (Jeroen Krabbé), yet can’t seem to shake the down-to-earth appeal of Sam (Peter Riegert), a pickle vendor.

Featuring Talkback with Jenny Slate (Marcel The Shell With Shoes On/Saturday Night Live) and Susan Sandler (Writer/Crossing Delancey, based on her original play).

Coming March 15th 7:30pm

NYC Short Film Showcase

1h 30min | NR

Every other month, acting as our guest curator, Michael Jacobsohn, has been leading our efforts to showcase New York Filmmakers’ short films as a part of New Plaza Cinema’s community programming. Our focus is to give NYC filmmakers a platform to share their art with the community. The screening is followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers.

As a trusted community of film lovers, New Plaza Cinema is committed to supporting filmmakers in the art of filmmaking to help keep Art Cinema Culture alive in Upper Manhattan.

• Lentini by Alessia Mandanici
  Mila, a German-Italian girl, travels to Sicily for the first time since childhood to attend her grandfather’s funeral. In her attempts to reconnect with her grandmother, she is railroaded by her vibrant Italian family and their traditions.
• Tee’d Off by Christopher Federico
  How to survive your survival job while pursuing your dreams
• La Bolita by Arian Blanco
  Meet 6 year old Benny Blanco. I’s 1978 and his Cuban mom recently scored an easy gig working for the local bookie, what could go wrong?
• God and the Dreamer by Andrew Jason Kra
  An artist has a dream with spiritual content. She paints it onto a canvas. It becomes an object of worship.
• A Song For Danny, Andrew Garbus
  Danny, a jazz pianist living in Austin, Texas gets an offer to sign with a big recording label in New York. Over the course of one night, Danny must decide what’s more important, his career or his relationships with those he will have to leave behind.
• Shark Bite by Daniel Simon
  Arthur, 60s, is dating Joan, 50s, when he catches the eye of Vince, 60s, Vince has been stealing women from Arthur since they were kids. Can Arthur hold on to Joan?
• Yu Under Water by Beatrix Chu
  On a hike with her American boyfriend in upstate New York, Yu encounters a Chinese backpacker who spurs a change within her.
• I Don’t Byte, Ben Yannette
  A thrill-seeking woman and a psychopathic dentist spark an ill-fated romance.
• Killer The Hooker by Nathalie Schmidt
  Thriller / dark comedy series project: A French sex worker tries to leave the profession and get “normal”.

Source: The information provided is based on the New Plaza Cinema’s community programming, showcasing short films by New York filmmakers.

March 16th 4:30pm Sold Out!

Heaven Stood Still: The Incarnations of Willy DeVille

1h 27min | NR

There was no one like the American singer Willy DeVille

Leaping out of the 1970s CBGB punk scene in New York City with his band Mink DeVille, Willy DeVille was always coming and going, moving backward and forward through both time and musical genres.

Changing his persona to match his adventurous musical forays, he was a Latin Street Crooner, a Fairytale Prince, a New Orleans Riverboat Gambler, a Southwest Border Jumper and finally a man who must come face to face with his true self.

His musical odyssey lasted 35 years across two continents and a million records sold. Yet in the US, his home he is almost completely unknown.

He wielded a big voice, an obsessive dedication to his own muse and a serious drug problem across two continents for 35 years. He sold over a million records. Yet, in his home country he is almost completely unknown.

Longtime J Geils Band front man Peter Wolf said, “There is a mystery about Willy DeVille. When you get it, it’s atomic, it’s huge.”

“He was an old soul and didn’t know it.” The Legendary Ben E King

“He was in a bubble of his own creation.” Chris Frantz, drummer Talking Heads

“A deep, hurtful feeling that had a real effect on you.” Freddy Koella, guitarist Mink DeVille Band, Bob Dylan Band

“He stood out, his voice and presentation ought to have gotten him in (Rock N Roll Hall of Fame) by now.” Bob Dylan

“You are going to the leave the theater with some new favorite songs” Upstate Films