Shea Presents: Cinemastorm with Special Guest John Sayles!!

Sunday, April 30, 2023, 7:30 pm until 10:00 pm
Critically Acclaimed writer and director John Sayles joins Director Robert D. Kryzkowski and NEPM Personality/Shea President for a special Q and A and trivia! FREE!

BROTHER FROM ANOTHER PLANET (1984) - John Sayles’ fascinating sci-fi drama tells the story of an alien (Joe Morton) who crash-lands on Earth and finds himself hiding in the heart of Harlem. Sayles deftly explores complex themes of race, identity, and immigration through the eyes of his otherworldly hero. Morton's nuanced performance captures the alien's struggle to understand the complexities of human society, and his silent expressions speak volumes about injustice, compassion, and feeling ‘other’. With its poignant social commentary, sly comedy, strong performances, and imaginative storytelling, "Brother From Another Planet" is a masterpiece of independent filmmaking.

ALLIGATOR (1980) - Written by John Sayles and directed by Lewis Teague, “Alligator” is a sneakily subversive horror film that follows a baby alligator that is flushed down the toilet and grows up to be a massive, man-eating monster. With a wry undercurrent of social commentary, the alligator eats its way through the Chicago class system—from the sewers, to the streets, to the criminally wealthy. The film is also a slick police procedural with Robert Forster delivering a standout performance as the determined detective who always gets his gator. With impressive practical effects, biting wit, and a thrilling plot, Alligator soars above and beyond its gonzo trappings to become a cult classic of the highest order.

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Exciting News for A Happening IV: Leviathan

Cloudgaze and Eggtooth Productions are thrilled to announce that we have received a generous grant from the Markham-Nathan Fund for Social Justice to support our 2024 Immersive Arts Festival, “A Happening IV: Leviathan.”

This festival will transform the Shea Theater into an exploration of theme, hosting installations, music, theatrical performances, and movement pieces, featuring the collective contributions of over 30 local artists. Audiences will experience otherworldly environments and narratives inspired by folklore, fairy tales, horror motifs, American literature, and the mythos of the Old Testament, all of which delve into the central question guiding the festival: "What does it mean to encounter something greater than yourself and to be consumed by it?" Through this theme, we explore how a community reemerges and imagines itself after destruction and transformation.

With the support of the Markham-Nathan Fund, we are excited to create an event that complicates perspectives and fosters meaningful dialogue. We are grateful for this partnership and for the work of the Markham-Nathan Fund for Social Justice.

Thanks to the Mass Cultural Council for their vital support this year.We'd also like to thank the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts for their support in the form of a Flexible Funding grant. We couldn't do this work without you!