|
|
          |
For Worcester's Bijou cinema pub, success may finally be a wrapThe blockbuster movie is a mainstay of America culture as familiar to us as Mickey Mouse or Marilyn Monroe. Last July and August, thousands of Worcesterites flocked to the city’s mega-plexes to see highly anticipated flicks like “Austin Powers in Goldmember,” and “The Bourne Identity.” But despite the blockbusters, local movie-goers looking for cinematic entertainment outside the mainstream kept the films rolling through a second long, hot summer at Worcester’s famed Bijou, an independent cinema pub specializing in independent and foreign films. The Bijou, which is located on the lower level of the Worcester Common Outlets, has a small, but substantial restaurant, free popcorn, two screens and a fun and funky lobby space often used for a wide array of functions from poetry readings to political events. “Leslie Courtney...deserves a whole lot of credit for trying to
make it happen for Worcester.”
– Rob Newton, owner Starship Video Blue-collar Worcester might at first seem like an unlikely place for an arthouse cinema to flourish. But many promoters of arts and culture in central Massachusetts object to this assumption and believe that the time is right for arts showcases like the Bijou. “Worcester and all of Central Massachusetts is loaded with great artists, writers, poets, musicians, filmmakers, and graphics designers,” says Brian Goslow, webmaster of wormtown.org, an out-spoken local website that focuses on art, music and culture in Worcester. “The biggest challenge is getting them known, seen and enjoyed by the audiences who would most appreciate them.” Rob Newton, owner of Park Ave.’s popular, eclectic Starship Video store, film critic for Worcester Magazine and a strong supporter of the Bijou, agrees. “When I was younger, I used to be the type who would bash Worcester for what it wasn’t, rather than celebrating it for what it is,” Newton says. “I think the resources for an arts haven the likes of Boston, Providence or Northampton, are here — it is just a matter of coordinating the right sort of self-promotion to get artists and their patrons on the same page.” Leslie Courtney, owner and manager of the Bijou, cites longstanding cultural entities in Worcester, as well as affordable real estate, as a good base for the arts here. “There’s a lot of high-end cultural activities [in Worcester],” she says. “There are a huge amount of artists that live in the city because it’s very affordable, and if you want to live in New England, it’s not easy to find a place. There are so many mill spaces [in Worcester], and that’s key for artists.” Courtney describes her experience owning and managing the Bijou as “very fun,” but not without its share of difficulties. “It’s been very interesting, a lot of ups and downs, and a lot of learning curves,” Courtney says. “I’ve never owned a theater before, so I’m learning a lot about that—and a lot about the restaurant business.” Courtney says her biggest challenge so far has been “Getting films. The distributors have a very set way of doing things and are used to dealing with the larger houses...Usually people pass on an [independent] theater...from family [member] to family member, so it’s very unusual for someone to just open up a theater,” she explains. “But it’s definitely getting better. We’re getting things sooner, and getting more popular movies.” Unlike conventional movie theaters, summer is a slow time in the world of indie flicks, which also poses a challenge. “Summer here, not normally in theaters — but in our type of theater, slows down a lot because a lot of people leave town, the students and professors aren’t here,” she says. “Last summer was really tough because we didn’t have enough momentum for the summer. [It] was probably one of our low points.” The type of films the Bijou shows has had to change a bit as well. “Originally I started out programming things that were unusual and very eclectic. We’ve had to go a little more mainstream, and try to pick what other people like rather than what I like,” Courtney admits with a laugh. “Our most popular films were “Amelie”, which had the longest running at fifteen weeks, and “Memento”. People want to come in for positive films; they don’t want to be totally depressed. Those are hard to come by with independent films. People want things that are very life-affirming and interesting, an escape.” Courtney’s hard work and persistence in the face of occasionally daunting obstacles has paid off. “Leslie Courtney...deserves a whole lot of credit for trying to make it happen for Worcester,” praises Rob Newton. “She is in tune with what people want, and has made tremendous personal sacrifices to satisfy a longtime need by providing a high-minded alternative to the strong-arming, corporate googol-plexes.” Brian Goslow applauds Courtney’s efforts as well. “The Bijou has made a huge contribution to [Worcester] by offering itself as a multi-purpose venue, using its foyer as an arts gallery, the dining area as a meeting spot for local poets...and a performance space for local musicians while patrons dine, and [by hosting] a film festival for area filmmakers,” Goslow says. “It’s a location people can rent and utilize for parties, candidate events, fundraisers, and theatrical presentations, and its excellent restaurant offerings make for a memorable evening out.” Goslow maintains that the Bijou is an important step in the city’s much-documented struggle towards creating an arts district. “It’s crucial for Worcester to have a place like the Bijou as a central meeting and gathering spot for area residents,” he says. “For the past decade or so (and in various other shapes for years prior to that), there’s been talk about creating an arts district. Leslie Courtney and folks at the Bijou have gone beyond the talk and actually brought various aspects of the dream to life.” At the moment, the future of the Bijou is looking pretty bright. “We have an unbelievable amount of events coming up for the fall,” says Courtney. “Last summer at this point, I don’t think I had anything booked and now almost every weekend through January is booked. |