Films this week 8/22/2026 to 8/28/2026
by Gary Palmucci | 21st August 2026 | Gary's Corner
We have a truly eclectic mix of programs for New Plaza Cinema’s final weekend at the Museum of Arts and Design; and once again, we’re grateful to the Museum’s staff for so efficiently hosting us, and on short notice!
Let’s get right to it:
How to Divorce During the War– In this 2026 Sundance prize-winner (for best international director), and Lithuania’s Oscar submission, a couple’s efforts to end their marriage get caught up in the chaotic first days of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, their own mid-life crises, and the scrutiny of their ever-observant young daughter.
Director Andrius Blazevicius will join us -courtesy of distributor Zeitgeist Films – for a Q&A with my colleague Abbe Harris.
The Marching Band (aka En Fanfare)- In this new French crowd pleaser – already requested by several NPC patrons who’ve seen it abroad, and at US festivals including LIncoln Center’s ‘Rendezvous’ – two brothers who’ve never previously met discover each other’s diverse musical gifts, in the milieu of a small-town marching band.
Advance ticket sales for Saturday’s premiere screening – thanks to industrious Greenwich Entertainment – have been brisk, so we suggest you plan accordingly….a reminder that all ducats must be purchased online.
The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds – Paul Newman directed his beloved Joanne Woodward in a 1972 adaptation of Paul Zindel’s play. This is the first NYC screening of a recent 4K restoration -thanks to the Disney Company -which will include a special pre-show message from Nell Newman, along with Melissa Newman joining us for an after-discussion with our resident film historian Max Alvarez.
Later this year we’ll be screening another Joanne Woodward feature, the 1957 drama No Down Payment, directed by Martin Ritt. Melissa reported to us that she recently screened the film “with my mom (now 96), who totally opened her eyes whenever she heard her own voice! Like any good diva…”
NYC Short Film Showcase — our bi-monthly sampling of local filmmaking talent closes out this ‘MAD summer,’ on a bigger canvas than usual….tireless curator Michael Jacobsohn (himself an incisive filmmaker whose ‘Cornelia St Cafe in Exile’ will be back this fall) has since 2022 given over a hundred residents of many ages and backstories a chance to show their work. About ten of them will join Michael on the big stage after the show, and they all merit your support.
Next weekend we are scheduled to be back at CUNY’s Macaulay Honors College, with encore screenings of many of this month’s films and at least one new one – the highly-acclaimed, NY Times Critic’s PIck documentary American Doctor. The full lineup will be announced online next Tuesday, August 25.
Thanks for your support this summer!