BLUE SUNSHINE is Montreal’s newest psychotronic cinema room, and as you’ve probably guessed, is named after the seminal 1976 film by Jeff Lieberman. Somewhere at the junction of trash and art, the intimate space with a 50-seat capacity, is aimed at the relentless enjoyment of good, weird cinema three nights a week. Thursday nights focus on music films. Friday nights are trash, cult, and exploitation cinema and Saturday nights are art-house, independent and avant-garde.
The goal is to screen both new and repertory under-the-radar films that don’t have the exposure which they deserve due to limited distribution, obscurity, controversy, or inaccessibility.
Along with weekly film screenings, the space is available for art exhibits, artist talks, and classes. In fact it is also the new home of the Miskatonic Institute of Horror Studies (www.miskatonicinstitute.com), where established horror writers, directors and programmers/curators can offer their experience to a young generation of horror fans through workshops and masterclasses.
Here is all the info you need to know:
Aside from the eclectic calendar of events, your ticket also includes a free beverage and snacks! There is also an all-you-can-eat sugar cereal buffet available at all screenings for $5! The gallery exhibits are free and open to the public Monday-Wednesday 1pm-4pm.
With the exception of Miskatonic courses and other third party rentals, all screening admissions require a membership. Membership is free but does require filling out a small form with contact information and all members must be 18+.
In lieu of paying separate admission to each show, frequent customers may opt to purchase an exclusive Blue Sunshine VIP Membership card for $199, which entitles them to free admission to all regular programming days (Thurs-Sat., excluding venue rentals), access to their video rental library, and a 40% discount on venue rentals (up to 4 X per year).
We here at Sound On Sight plan on focusing ongoing coverage to their Trash & Cult line-up. Opening night kicks off with Canada’s sleaziest B-movie, Cannibal Girls. One of Ivan Reitman’s earliest films, from 1973, its only goal these days is to live on as an astonishingly bad cult film. Director Ivan Reitman would go on to success as a director of comedies with Meatballs, Stripes and Ghostbusters.
The film stars Eugene Levy and Andrea Martin (hired for their improvisational abilities) as a couple on a romantic holiday who settle into a quaint little bed-and-breakfast run by a trio of flesh-eating ladies who fancy them for tomorrow’s menu.
Read a review over at Canuxploitation.
June 26th sees the screening of The Beaver Trilogy (2001), a documentary directed by Trent Harris, and featuring “Groovin’ Gary”, Sean Penn, Crispin Glover and co-starring Courtney Gains and Elizabeth Daily.
The Beaver Trilogy combines three separate vignettes that were filmed at different times, in 1979, 1981, and 1985. The three pieces focus on the same subject, a young man from the small town of Beaver, Utah who is obsessed with Olivia Newton John. The first piece, The Beaver Kid is a docmumentary. The second piece, Beaver Kid 2 is a dramatic work based on the documentary. The third piece, The Orkly Kid is yet another dramatic work based on the documentary.
The film was featured in the public radio show This American Life in the episode entitled, “Reruns.”
View the entire schedule for upcoming screenings here.