No Film Fans in Richmond?

Submitted by anthropophagoose t3_yosws3 in rva

Since moving here from the midwest, I've wondered why there is so little film programming and infrastructure - especially compared to music or art, or even theatre. Bowtie is pretty rundown and only partially open, and the Byrd is really neat as a space, but as the only place doing repertory screenings, their program is focused mostly on big blockbusters or standard TCM stuff (I get this, they are a non-profit and need to attract big crowds, but it makes for a limited slate). Even institutions like VMFA or the ICA don't seem to do any film programming (if this wrong, please correct.)

I know Richmond isn't huge, and movie theater attendance is down in general, but it seems wild that Charlottesville can sustain two boutique theaters (Alamo Drafthouse and Violet Crown) and a pretty sizable megaplex, but Richmond can't?

Any insight into why this might be is much appreciated!

-Just a guy who loves movie theaters.

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fusion260 t1_ivfq0t3 wrote

Unfortunately our film venues in town have been hurting lately.

Bow Tie Movieland on Boulevard had the Criterion theater (separate smaller building on the lot) that showed indie movies. That closed during the pandemic since the theaters were so small and appears to be permanently closed now.

We also had a little theater out in the Near West End that closed years ago and got redeveloped into housing and restaurants (RIP Westhampton Theater).

That pretty much just leaves the Byrd Theatre that does show indie movies and film festivals as one of the more reliable venues in Richmond itself. There's also Ashland Theatre a bit north of us but they seem to be focusing on holiday film favorites right now.

Edit: formatting

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nfojones t1_ivfwvx1 wrote

Dang, I've all but started to forget Westhampton was a thing. That was such a gem for its arthouse selection.

Being taken high as a kite to see Waking Life there without any concept of the film before it started might have been the hardest my brain has ever worked trying to catch up to what I was seeing and hearing.

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fusion260 t1_ivfxv94 wrote

I smile each time I remember seeing The Grand Budapest there in early 2014 with my now-husband when we were still relatively new to dating each other. It’s one of my favorite movies and soundtracks and I’ll think of the Westhampton every time I watch the or listen to it… or get a sandwich at Taste Unlimited ❤️

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WEGCjake t1_ivh4prn wrote

My wife and I had our first Richmond date (she’s from here, we met and started dating in SWVA where I’m from) at the Westhampton. Saw Bowling for Columbine. Very awkward drive home after such an intense documentary, but I think it was an experience that strengthen our young relationship.

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PhoenixAshies t1_ivhw8dh wrote

I'm 99% sure that Westhampton was where my mom snuck my sister & me in to see The Full Monty at an age we had no business seeing it.

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anthropophagoose OP t1_ivfrs8e wrote

that's a bummer to hear but makes sense! I know theaters are definitely struggling- I hope it can turn around here. Thanks!

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sleevieb t1_ivfxlqj wrote

Byrd fired their beloved leader and bought new seats. Reorganized their leadership as well.

Last film I saw in town was parasite before the plague hit. Snuck a pot pie into criterion.

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amoonshapedmule t1_ivh4vqw wrote

Their beloved leader was a total asshole. Couldn’t have been happier to see him go.

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Economy-Maybe-6714 t1_ivheuh2 wrote

He was the worst. And a creep. Without telling any employees, who were almost all young attractive females, installed cameras and ran the feed across the street to his apartment. Gross.

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JustDyslexic t1_ivfv2iy wrote

The Byrd theater has the largest French film festival outside of France every year

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ripleyajm t1_ivftw8y wrote

Moved here from dc five years ago and that’s literally the only thing I miss about that city. Too many people I know have gotten bedbugs from bow tie, and the byrd seems to rarely have movies I want to see. If someone opened a real movie theater here it would be awesome

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Funkbass t1_iviirt9 wrote

Did you just give me a new thing to be irrationally concerned with 🤔

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-B001- t1_ivgmy0x wrote

omg..I never thought about getting bedbugs from a movie seat

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jjj999catcatcat t1_ivgjm4j wrote

Check out screeningsatsolitary and lc.cinema on instagram for some arthouse screening involvement. Feel free to start another, I’d love that. I think Gallery5 would be a cool space for it

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Ditovontease t1_ivgaqs9 wrote

Should’ve been here before the pandemic, we had a cottage industry for indie films.

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jennbo t1_ivhbch2 wrote

I'm with you!! I miss criterion so bad

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SallySueFriedaMay t1_iviq3ve wrote

Not sure if they’re still doing it, but VCU’s film program used to put on a Cinémathèque like once a month or once a week in the Grace St Theatre that was free and open to the public

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goodsam2 t1_ivgja6p wrote

Bowtie is a steal on Tuesdays for $7 movie and I think like $5 any size popcorn.

Also I've done Cinebistro which is a "fine dining" and movie experience.

I think the science museum has some stuff sometimes, plus I hear about the VMFA and history museum showing some stuff.

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Opening_Meringue5758 t1_ivh514b wrote

Does bow tie still do $7 tuesdays?? I thought that ended when they reopened after Covid

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goodsam2 t1_ivh56ak wrote

I went there like a month ago and they did it. I only found out about it because my power was out and it was either a movie or being in the dark.

Cinebistro does cheaper movies as well.

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ttd_76 t1_ivkezwl wrote

It's a combination of movie theaters being in the shitter as an industry and Bowtie's location/escalating land prices.

As others have said, pre-pandemic Criterion was a decent place for indie cinema. And before Bowtie opened Criterion, they were decent about devoting a couple screens to indie flicks. They were so good that they probably put the last nail in the coffin for other places like Westhampton that would show indie films. Bowtie and Criterion were the shit up until 2015 or so.

Anyway, Bowtie is sitting on a land goldmine now in Scott's Addition and it makes more sense to sell the land than to pay for renovations to what is now probably an overly large multiplex.

Bowtie does own another piece of property in the city. So if the movie industry holds up, I expect they will sell the current theater and move to the other property. Or perhaps sell both and take the massive cash profit and find a cheaper property.

But in the meantime, no one is going to invest in a new theater given the state of the industry and that they probably cannot defeat Bowtie if they opt to stay in the city. We had a multiplex so good it wiped out all the competition, and now that one remaining multiplex is contemplating its next move so we're all in limbo.

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anthropophagoose OP t1_ivkft27 wrote

Thank you- this makes a lot of sense. It's a bummer, but it makes a lot of sense

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Old_Grab_2045 t1_ivgckm8 wrote

check out @lc.cinema on insta for film popups!

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9to5Voyager t1_ivhocny wrote

As a native Austinite, I had no idea Charlottesville had both an Alamo AND a Violet Crown

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anthropophagoose OP t1_ivholuk wrote

Crazy right? I used to live in Austin too, and was so surprised to see both in one (non Austin) city- They have a Torchy's too lol.

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[deleted] t1_ivfs7w3 wrote

[deleted]

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anthropophagoose OP t1_ivftic8 wrote

I get this, but I think that's why places like Alamo have done so well at creating a space that doesn't allow talking and stuff. I love watching at home, but no matter how good the setup, it'll never replace the communal experience for me- especially for stuff like horror or comedy that has a certain degree of response built into the experience.

Plus it's ideal for people not to have to invest in a theater setup just to enjoy a movie on film!

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tigranes5 t1_ivgiiy6 wrote

No, there is nothing here at all. Now go home to the Midwest. Scram.

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