More than a movie

Welcome to the Big Easy. Keep Austin Weird. The catchphrases of the cultural capitalist fast lane may now be as mundane as the next pride-of-place T-shirt or bumper sticker, but they go a long way to affirm the belief that people indeed do things a little bit differently in those cities. People in those places watch movies differently, too, based on the wild popularity of boutique eat-while-you-watch multiplexes like Alamo Drafthouse Cinema and the recently revamped Theatres at Canal Place.

Baton Rouge’s Manship Theatre at the Shaw Center for the Arts has been bringing the occasional retro screening and indie-film-that-could to downtown for years, but this month the venue—with a state-of-the-art HD projection system and a full-service bar— rolls out an enhanced slate of movies, creative tie-in events and a new website, all under the banner Film at Manship.

So when National Lampoon’s Animal House screens June 3 for the Film at Manship’s Premiere Weekend, patrons won’t just get the movie; they’ll have the chance to sing “Louie Louie” at a toga party with Jungle Juice and other specialty cocktails inspired by the raucous Jim Belushi comedy.

New technologies and services allow film fans to see their favorite classics at home or on mobile devices with ease, but Film at Manship wants to make movie-watching a communal celebration for fans of a particular movie to share a common experience. A Thelma & Louise theme party will offer margaritas on June 4.

“There is nowhere else in Baton Rouge where you can see classic films or independent films on the big screen,” says John Kaufman, head of marketing and film at Manship Theatre. “And, of course, you can enjoy an adult beverage as well.”

Manship will follow Animal House with other cult classic comedies like Caddyshack in its Camp Out series, family-friendly fare with a Kids Series, Flicks for Chicks for romantic comedy lovers, Hollywood Classics and a Homegrown Series for Louisiana-centric features and documentaries.

Kaufman and his committee aim to make the process for submitting films and ideas for screenings as easy as possible for area filmmakers and film fanatics alike. A major social media and online push is planned this summer to cultivate an audience in hopes that local cinephiles will not only take an interest in, but also feel a sense of ownership of these diverse films.

“The point is to show all types of films that are outside of the mainstream,” says film committee member Jay Noland. “That could be a comedy that’s been out of theaters for decades, a relevant documentary or the critically acclaimed winner of a recent film festival.”

Some of the films will trigger memories or costume parties, while others will start conversations. The Big Uneasy, Harry Shearer’s Katrina-anchored dismantling of the Army Corps of Engineers, screens June 4. Kaufman is in talks to secure Shearer, star of The Simpsons and This Is Spinal Tap for a personal appearance with his film.

“I think it’s a clear void we’re filling, but even people not currently pining for a unique movie experience will become excited about it when they see all that the theatre is offering,” Noland says.

Film at Manship’s Premiere Weekend is June 3 – 5. Other films slated to screen this summer include Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Jaws, Monty Python and the Holy Grail and many more. For a complete line-up of screenings and events, visit manshiptheatre.org.