The Opera House Screening Room provides movies and other digital programming online to its patrons in the wake of the continued COVID restrictions which have restricted the theatre’s opening. The cost of streaming the films varies, depending on the film. The revenue generated is shared by the Opera House and the film studios. “Since we are not yet reopened, this is one way of providing our patrons with access to programming, and of generating income for the Opera House to help ensure its survival,” says Opera House Executive Director Rick Davis.

The latest new films include The Outside Story and Our Time Machine. The Pope Francis documentary Francesco and the 2021 Oscar Nominated Short Films are still showing. Also still available, and free to view, is Professor Traci Langworthy’s Chautauqua County History lecture, For The Vote: Two Profiles in Woman’s Courage.

Brian Tyree Henry takes on his first big screen lead role in The Outside Story as Charles Young, a broken-hearted video editor. Perceiving a betrayal of trust as a sign his girlfriend Isha (Sonequa Martin-Green) is leaving him, Charles preemptively blows up his relationship and sequesters himself at home. The fates do not comply and Charles locks himself out of his apartment. Stumbling into a transformational, timely odyssey exploring his community, Charles meets a dynamic ensemble of previously avoided neighbors (including Sunita Mani, Olivia Edward and Asia Kate Dillon) who show him everyone’s got issues and it never helps to keep them all locked up inside. Film Threat called it, “a warm hug of a film, bound to (however briefly) reaffirm your faith in humanity, one that’s perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon when any opportunity to venture outside – even through a digitized prism – is welcome.”

In the documentary film Our Time Machine, shaken by the news of his father’s dementia, artist Maleonn pours everything into an ambitious new theater project: “Papa’s Time Machine,” a visually stunning time-travel adventure told with human-sized puppets. At the play’s heart are autobiographical scenes inspired by Maleonn’s memories with his father. He hopes this will bring them together artistically and personally. Confronting his own mortality, Maleonn finds grace and unexpected joy in this moving meditation on art, the agonies of love and loss, and the circle of life.

“The Outside Story”

Screen Daily calls it “an uplifting celebration of the love between a son and his father… an elegant, focused piece of storytelling.” CBS News calls it “a tender and visually striking film about using art to combat the unrelenting difficulties of aging.”

Still showing, Francesco features unprecedented access to His Holiness Pope Francis, providing an intimate look at a global leader who approaches challenging and complex issues with tremendous humility, wisdom and generosity toward all. Spanning issues such as climate change, migration and refugees, women’s empowerment, sexual abuse and LGBTQ+ issues, pandemic, border walls, and many more of today’s headlines, this documentary takes audiences on a worldwide journey to spotlight the incredible empathy displayed by a leader who continues to inspire hope during an extraordinary moment in our lifetime. In doing so, the film examines how people might take action to transition into a new way of living and thriving in the 21st century.

For over a decade, ShortsTV has proudly brought the Oscar-Nominated Short Films to audiences across the globe. This exclusive release features the year’s most spectacular short films and for a limited time, is available to watch in virtual cinemas. Each nominee is released in one of three distinct feature-length compilations according to their category of nomination: Live Action, Animation or Documentary. The films go into theaters around the world shortly after nominations are announced and are not released anywhere else until a few days before the Oscars.

Also still available is Traci Langworthy’s For The Vote: Two Profiles in Woman’s Courage, which tells of Dunkirk’s Elnora Babcock and Jamestown’s Edith Ainge and the role each played in the long-fought battle for women’s right to vote. It represents a continuation of the Chautauqua County History Lecture Series and can be streamed for free, although donations are accepted.

The Opera House Screening Room is found on the Opera House web site at www.fredopera.org. Links for each film take the patron to third-party studio sites for ticket purchase. Tickets are per household. Patrons are able to view films on nearly any mobile device, smart TV, laptop or computer.

The 1891 Fredonia Opera House is a member-supported not-for-profit organization located in Village Hall in downtown Fredonia. Currently closed due to COVID-19 restrictions, the theatre is offering a variety of digital program offerings to continue its mission of “present the performing arts for the benefit of our community and region … and providing access to artistic diversity … and high quality programming at an affordable price.”