Milwaukee Film Celebrates Iconic Actress Pam Grier and Acclaimed Editor Thelma Schoonmaker at the Oriental Theatre This March

MILWAUKEE – Thursday, February 20th – March at the Oriental Theatre is full of incredible cinematic opportunities, like the previously announced one-night-only screening and Q&A of new movie musical The End, the rescheduled screening of Lifers with Scott Lucas of LOCAL H, and two repertory series that celebrate two undersung titans of the film industry: actress Pam Grier and editor Thelma Schoonmaker. March will also see the continuation of ongoing environmental film series Let’s Dig In, and two more National Theatre Live screenings: Prima Facie and Fleabag.

Throughout the month of March, Milwaukee Film will be hosting film screenings in celebration of the power and artistry of editor Thelma Schoonmaker, famous for her frequent collaborations with Martin Scorsese, and actress Pam Grier, who is often referred to as the very first female action star. These film series, which are coming to the Oriental Theatre just in time for Women’s History Month, will give audiences the opportunity to gain appreciation for two incredibly impactful, yet often unrecognized, women in cinema.

“Editors don’t often get their time in the sun, much less women helming the role,” expressed Milwaukee Film’s Programming Director, Kerstin Larson. “Here is your opportunity to watch some classic films on the big screen, while taking extra time to appreciate Thelma Schoonmaker’s expertise in the craft,” she concluded.

See the full line-up of Celebrating Thelma Schoonmaker films here:

• RAGING BULL – 03/04 at 6PM
• AFTER HOURS – 03/11 at 6 PM
• CASINO – 03/18 at 6 PM
• THE DEPARTED – 03/25 at 6 PM

“Pam Grier has been an icon for decades and she isn’t slowing down any time soon,” said Ty Williams, Milwaukee Film’s Black Lens Programmer. “These genre classics demand to be seen on the big screen, so come out and celebrate an indisputably trailblazing star,” he effused.

See the full line-up of The Iconic Pam Grier films here:

• FOXY BROWN – 03/06, 03/07, 03/08 (all at 9PM)
• JAWBREAKER – 03/13, 03/14, 03/15 (all at 9PM)
• COFFY – 03/20, 03/21, 03/22 (all at 9PM)

On Saturday, March 1st at 7:00 pm, Milwaukee Film’s historic Oriental Theatre will welcome special guests director Joshua Oppenheimer and Milwaukee native composer Joshua Schmidt alongside their new film The End for a post-screening Q&A emceed by local critic, Ryan Jay.

Rescheduled due to weather: the first movie from cult-rock heroes LOCAL H will be screening at the Oriental Theatre on Wednesday, March 19th. Written, directed, and edited by the band’s singer/guitarist Scott Lucas (and shot in real time during a blistering performance at venerable Chicago music venue the Metro)—Lifers depicts a night out at a Local H concert as an energetic, funny, and borderline psychedelic cinematic experience. This screening of Lifers is sponsored by WMSE 91.7FM and will feature a post-film Q&A with director Scott Lucas, guitarist, bassist, and lead vocalist for LOCAL H.

Scott Lucas expressed, “Not quite a documentary—and not just a concert film—Lifers blends those elements with a fractured narrative to create something that’s like a cross between Led Zeppelin‘s The Song Remains the Same and Richard Linklater‘s Slacker.”

All Tickets and showtimes can be found online at mkefilm.org/comingsoon.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.