Searching for Mr. Rugoff

Tuesday, 8/24

"An enthralling documentary that movie buffs everywhere will want to see (it feels, in its insidery way, as essential as any chapter of Easy Riders, Raging Bulls or Pictures at a Revolution). Searching for Mr. Rugoff is an infectious salute to what the dream was: a place where cinema could live." —Owen Gleiberman, Variety

Searching for Mr. Rugoff is the story of Donald Rugoff, the crazy genius behind Cinema 5, the mid-century theater chain and film distribution company based in New York City. Rugoff was a difficult (some would say impossible) person but was also the man who kicked art films into the mainstream with outrageous marketing schemes and pure bluster. His impact on cinema culture in the United States is inestimable, and his influence on the art film business—from the studio classics divisions to the independent film movement to the rise of the Weinsteins—is undeniable. Yet, mysteriously, Rugoff has become a virtually forgotten figure—until now. The story is told through the eyes of former employee Ira Deutchman, who sets out to find the truth about the man who had such a major impact on his life, and to understand how such an important figure could have disappeared so completely.

In Conversation: Director Ira Deutchman
This screening will be introduced by film programmer Javier Chavez; following the screening, Javier will engage Searching for Mr. Rugoff director Ira Deutchman in conversation, who will join us via Zoom.

Thanks to Mr. Deutchman, 100% of all ticket revenue from this screening will go directly to the cinema to help offset the financial loss experienced over the past 17 months.

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In addition to our new releases, be sure to join us for these special limited, or one-time-only, screenings.

Check out the rest of our Special Presentations program!

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