Thursday, May 21, 2020

Do you like Mexican food? We have a new film for you.


Diana Kennedy: Nothing Fancy
starting Friday, May 22
Do you like Mexican food?

The Strand has a movie for you to watch at home.,, and support the Strand at the same time.

Diana Kennedy: Nothing Fancy is an intimate, candid perspective into the curious world of cookbook author and British ex-pat Diana Kennedy -widely regarded as the world's expert on Mexican cuisine.

At five feet tall and 97 years old, Diana is larger than life: a foul-mouthed fireball far more feisty and energetic than her age and petite frame let on. Author of nine Mexican cookbooks, she has spent over 60 years researching and documenting the regional cuisines of Mexico. Kennedy has lived 'off-the-grid' on an eight-acre ranch outside Zitácuaro, Michoacán since the 1970's: composting, growing her own crops, and using solar power to run her home. Aware of her own mortality, she is working tirelessly to solidify the legacy of her life's efforts, with the hope of turning her home into a foundation for culinary education in Mexico.A two-time James Beard Award winner, Diana was decorated with an Order of the Aztec Eagle from the Mexican government and became a Member of the Order of the British Empire from the UK in 2002. Despite her notable achievements, Diana is difficult to categorize. Often referred to as the "Julia Child of Mexico," but Diana prefers a different title: "The Mick Jagger of Mexican Cuisine.

Diana Kennedy:Nothing Fancy explores Diana's vibrant, unconventional life, blending vérité with archival footage, photographs and interviews. Viewers accompany her in intimate settings at home -cooking, gardening, and traveling to accept awards and speak to audiences. The film features interviews with notable chefs and friends including Alice Waters, José Andrés, Rick Bayless, and Gabriela Cámara, along with footage from Diana's TLC cooking show, "The Art of Mexican Cooking." Whether she is instructing chefs at her infamous "Boot Camp" cooking school, blazing her truck over the cobblestone roads of Zitácuaro or sunbathing with a scotch on her balcony, Diana is captivatingly bold, spirited, and unapologetically herself.

And to enhance your enjoyment of the film: Foodies take note. To celebrate the May 22 virtual cinema release of DIANA KENNEDY: NOTHING FANCY about the James Beard-winning master of Mexican cuisine, a virtual Q&A will take place with director Elizabeth Carroll, chef Alice Waters (Chez Panisse), chef Gabriela Cámara (Contramara & Cala), and The New York Times food writer David Tanis.
Saturday, May 23 @ 8pm ET/5pm PT 

The Virtual Strand?
Watch a film/support the Strand
Back in March I introduced Parasite by professing my love for Vicksburg, the Strand, and the folks who come out to see our programming. A few things have changed since then...

But we still love you and miss you at the Strand.

And we hope you miss us: breathing in the smell of the fresh popcorn as you open the door; catching up with friends old and new; checking out this week's beer selection; finding the perfect seat (until some tall person sits in front of you)... and then watching a new or classic film with an audience - those were the days. And hopefully all those little things will return to our lives soon. Or eventually.

Until then some of our film distributors have come up with a plan to keep you thinking about the Strand and even supporting the Strand by partnering with us to offer unreleased films you can watch at home. Typically these films are available for a week or two or three, and once rented can be watched over a 72 hour period. The easiest way to watch them is on a computer, or tablet, or phone, but they can usually be cast to your TV using Airplay or ChromeCast or something similar. Also a cable which connects your device to your TV by HDMI can be used.

Okay, it's not the same, but these are brand new films of the caliber we would be presenting on our screen, and if you choose to watch them, the Strand gets to split the ticket price.

 Click here to get more info and to purchase screenings of all our
Virtual Strand Films

Thursday, May 14, 2020

New choices: New Orleans Music and French Short Films from the Virtual Strand this weekend...

2 new films for the Virtual Strand 
New Orleans Music  
& French Short Films
starting Friday, May 15


first we have
Up from the Streets:  
New Orleans, City of Music

If you missed this year's Jazzfest or would just like to know more about New Orleans music, here's another great film to enjoy at home wherever that may be while supporting the Strand in Vicksburg.
It even features Vicksburg's own Bill Ferris giving insights about the city's greats.
Four-time Grammy winner Terence Blanchard serves as executive producer, music director and host for the film.The film features personal reflections from New Orleans' most impactful musicians including, but not limited to, Terence Blanchard, Harry Connick, Jr, Wynton Marsalis, Mannie Fresh, Dr. Michael White, and commentary by national and international musicians along with archival and newly filmed performances by iconic artists such as Louis Armstrong, Mahalia Jackson, Professor Longhair, Fats Domino, Allen Toussaint and The Neville Brothers.
Special LIVE Q&A via ZOOM with Terence Blanchard and director Michael Murphy at 7pm ET on Saturday, May 16.
For every ticket sold, $2 will be donated to the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation COVID-19 relief fund for musicians.


Coming to the virtual Strand on May 15. 

and for something completely different:
New French Shorts  

An annual presentation of the best of recent short films from France selected by UniFrance and the Cultural Services of the French Embassy for their Young French Cinema program

A single feature-length program of seven delightful, funny,  charming, provocative festival favorite Gallic shorts, perfect to watch at home and benefit the Strand...


BAHMED'S SONG (Le chant d'Ahmed) 30 min 
Director: Foued Mansour 
Winner of Bridging the Borders Award at the Palm Springs International ShortFest 2019

SHEEP, WOLF, AND A CUP OF TEA (Moutons, loup et tasse de thé) 12min 
Director: Marion Lacourt 
Official selection: 2019 Locarno Film Festival

TUESDAY FROM 8 TO 6 (Mardi de 8 à 18) 26 min 
Director: Cecilia de Arce 
Official selection: 2019 Cannes Critics Week

THE DISTANCE BETWEEN US AND THE SKY (La distance entre nous et le ciel) 9 min 
Director: Vasilis Kekatos 
Winner of Short Film Palme d'Or and Queer Palme at Cannes 2019

THE TEARS THING, (Le coup des larmes) 25 min 
Director: Clémence Poésy 
Official selection: 2019 Venice Film Festival

MAGNETIC HARVEST, (La traction de pôles) 24 min 
Director: Marine Levéel
TOTAL : 126 min

Plus special bonus short:
THE GLORIOUS ACCEPTANCE SPEECH OF NICOLAS CHAUVIN (Le discours d'acceptation glorieux de Nicolas Chauvin) 26 min 
Director: Benjamin Crotty 
Official selection: 2018 New York Film Festival | Winner of Mantarraya Award
The Virtual Strand?
Watch a film/support the Strand
Back in March I introduced Parasite by professing my love for Vicksburg, the Strand, and the folks who come out to see our programming. A few things have changed since then...

But we still love you and miss you at the Strand.

And we hope you miss us: breathing in the smell of the fresh popcorn as you open the door; catching up with friends old and new; checking out this week's beer selection; finding the perfect seat (until some tall person sits in front of you)... and then watching a new or classic film with an audience - those were the days. And hopefully all those little things will return to our lives soon. Or eventually.

Until then some of our film distributors have come up with a plan to keep you thinking about the Strand and even supporting the Strand by partnering with us to offer unreleased films you can watch at home. Typically these films are available for a week or two or three, and once rented can be watched over a 72 hour period. The easiest way to watch them is on a computer, or tablet, or phone, but they can usually be cast to your TV using Airplay or ChromeCast or something similar. Also a cable which connects your device to your TV by HDMI can be used.

Okay, it's not the same, but these are brand new films of the caliber we would be presenting on our screen, and if you choose to watch them, the Strand gets to split the ticket price.

 Click here to get more info and to purchase screenings of all our
Virtual Strand Films
Thanks for all your support...

Thursday, May 7, 2020

Short films: Kid Flicks from the virtual Strand

Kid Flicks
great shorts from 
New York International Children's 
Film Festival
2 programs from New York International Children's Film Festival -
Kid Flicks 2019

Grab some popcorn and get ready for a fun, artful film experience for kids and adults alike. With these hour-long screenings of the best of the New York International Children's Film Festival's short films, you can bring some artful, inspired storytelling and hilarity to your home screen. Two short film programs are available, Kid Flicks One recommended for ages 3+, and Kid Flicks Two for ages 8+. Have a great film experience with your kids, with plenty of ideas and themes to talk about long after the screening is done (and you'll have 48 hours to rewatch as much as you'd like!).

These films are not just for kids.
Watch the trailer:

NYICFF Kid Flicks One - Catch the best short films from around the world! (Ages 3+)
56 mins, In English, or with no dialogue

The New York International Children's Film Festival brings you a great opportunity to share the art of film with kids, with this program filled with fun and clever stories of growth and transformation.

If you've ever been the youngest of the group, you'll sympathize with the little tadpole who always falls a tad behind in the charming KUAP. Catching up on penmanship is the name of the game if you want to graduate from pencils in the winning doc Pen Licence. Then little ones are in charge and grown-ups get to play when the hilarious Flipped reworks the script.

With films from 10 countries, these shorts are sure to delight and inspire.

NYICFF Kid Flicks Two - Catch the best short films from around the world! (Ages 8+)
72 mins, In English or with English subtitles

These short films from the New York International Children's Film Festival show that playfulness, big ideas, and feelings small and large are all just fine! With these great films for slightly older kids, you'll have plenty of inspiration to continue the conversation with your kids long after the screening is done.

Take a wild ride and harness the (cat) power of the cosmos with the quirky film Catmos. If you're curious about more earthly matters, take a page out of a Field Guide to Being a 12-Year-Old Girl. And whether their tastes lean umami or sweet, the duo in Mogu & Perol just might convince you there is simply nothing more delish than a warm friendship.

For great films for kids ready to grow in experiences and ideas, NYICFF's Kid Flicks Two is just the ticket!

Here's more info

Coming to the virtual Strand starting May 8. Click this link:

You watch our virtual film offerings in your home on your own schedule. The Strand splits the "ticket" price with the distributor. To see good films and support the future of the Strand at the same time click this link starting Friday, May 8
Starting May 8, click for a live link to stream Kid Flicks

The Virtual Strand?
Watch a film/support the Strand
Just a few weeks ago I introduced Parasite by professing my love for Vicksburg, the Strand, and the folks who come out to see our programming. A few things have changed since then...

But we still love you and miss you at the Strand.

And we hope you miss us: breathing in the smell of the fresh popcorn as you open the door; catching up with friends old and new; checking out this week's beer selection; finding the perfect seat (until some tall person sits in front of you)... and then watching a new or classic film with an audience - those were the days. And hopefully all those little things will return to our lives soon. Or eventually.

Until then some of our film distributors have come up with a plan to keep you thinking about the Strand and even supporting the Strand by partnering with us to offer unreleased films you can stream at home. Typically these films are available for a week or two or three, and once rented can be watched over a 72 hour period. The easiest way to watch them is on a computer, or tablet, or phone, but they can usually be cast to your TV using Airplay or ChromeCast or something similar. Also a cable which connects your device to your TV by HDMI can be used.

Okay, it's not the same, but these are brand new films of the caliber we would be presenting on our screen, and if you choose to watch them, the Strand gets to split the ticket price.

 Click here to get more info and to purchase a screening of Kid Flicks
and see links for our other Virtual Strand films.
Thanks for all your support...