Plantation to offer art films to public
Renovated theater will host Saturday night movie series
PLYMOUTH -- Plimoth Plantation is going art house.
The 17th-century living museum, best known for its exhibits and role players in Colonial dress, is making a foray into the world of independent film and reinventing itself as a cinema on weekends. Starting next month, the museum's newly renovated theater will host Saturday night screenings of the latest art and foreign films.
"We are an innovative institution," said spokeswoman Jennifer Monac. "Seventeenth century history is important to us, and it's at the core of what we do, but we're also a member of this community, and people look to us for entertainment. We're a community resource."
"Plimoth Cinema" will make its debut Sept. 15 with two screenings of the "La Vie en Rose," a French film that has played at independent movie theaters like Kendall Square Cinema in Cambridge and Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline. Museum officials hope that offering quality film in Plymouth will save moviegoers a trip out of town.
"In the past, area residents had to drive to the mid-Cape, Boston/Cambridge, even Providence to see the top-notch independent and foreign films we will be showing right here at the museum, and we are thrilled to be doing it," John McDonagh, executive director for Plimoth Plantation, said in a press statement.
Plimoth Plantation also plans to provide a concession stand where moviegoers can purchase classic theater snacks such as popcorn and Twizzlers. Plimoth's on-site catering service plans to introduce other items later in the fall, and customize the snack selections to the films being shown. It has even designed a logo for Plimoth Cinema.
The museum will screen different movies for eight weeks as a test run. If Plimoth Cinema draws crowds, McDonagh said, "we would like to make it a permanent fixture at the museum."
Plimoth Cinema will be located inside the Harry Hornblower Visitor Center, and the films will be screened in the Ruby Winslow Linn Theater. During regular hours, the theater is used to show a 14-minute orientation film to Plimoth Plantation visitors. Up until now, the museum has not offered programming on Saturdays after its 5:30 p.m. closing, but occasionally the space is rented out for a function or special event. In the past, the venue has been used for movie screenings during Plymouth Independent Film Festival and was once used for a performance of "The Vagina Monologues."
In 2006, the 225-seat theater was completely renovated and outfitted with a high definition big screen and full surround sound. The new technology was the inspiration for the museum's venture into art cinema, according to Monac.
"We held internal film showings for our staff, and we saw the capabilities of the big screen and the surround sound," she said. "We said to ourselves, at that point, 'We've got something here.'
"People in this area love movies. It seemed like a really great way to utilize the museum resources in a different way, and meaningful way, for the community," she said. "We saw it as a nice opportunity to add something new to the area. We're listening to what our visitors want."
Plimoth Plantation is a private, nonprofit educational institution supported by admission fees, contributions, and memberships. This has been the busiest season in the past five years, according to Monac. Attendance this summer is up 16 percent compared with last season, she said.
"Despite the trend with some living history museums, Plimoth Plantation is doing quite well and we are excited about it," said Monac. "The parking lot has been packed on daily basis."
However, like other tourist attractions throughout the region, Plimoth Plantation suffered in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, she said. According to documents filed with the IRS, admissions to the Plimoth Plantation museum and educational programs brought in $4.1 million in 2005, compared with $4.8 million in 1999.
Museum officials are looking forward to offering movies on the weekends. Eric Hart of the Cape Cinema in Dennis and Ed Russell, Plymouth Independent Film festival, are helping coordinate the film series.
Doors will open at 5 p.m. for the 5:30 screening and 8 p.m. for the 8:30 show. Tickets are $6 for Plimoth Plantation members and $8 for nonmembers. Future films in the series will be announced online on the Plimoth Plantation website, plimoth.org.
Emily Sweeney can be reached at esweeney@globe.com. 