Aug. 04--With the Chicago skyline as backdrop, a new film series brings indie screenings to a local rooftop.
Launched by Chicago producers Eddie and Susie Linker (the pair have financed a number of key Joe Swanberg films), Elevated Films is spotlighting new indie features with rooftop screenings at the Whole Foods on North Kingsbury Street in Lincoln Park.
Coming up Wednesday is an early look at "People Places Things," starring Jemaine Clement ("Flight of the Conchords") as a single father grappling with romance and parenthood, post-divorce. (It opens in theaters Aug. 14.)
The film, from writer-director James C. Strouse ("Grace Is Gone"), debuted at the Sundance film festival earlier this year and has a maudlin-sardonic tone, evident in a scene that has Clement's character (a graphic novelist in New York City) standing before a classroom of students and revealing his personal strife with a deadpan expression: "My ex left me for an off-Broadway monologist."
The screening begins at 8:15 p.m. and will be preceded by live music from Chicago rock group The Aunteaks at 7:30. Revolution Brewery and Koval distillery are providing the drinks. Parking is free in the Whole Foods garage.
Keep in mind, films selected for the series are not suitable for children. Seating will be provided but audiences are free to bring blankets to sit on instead.
Next: Aug. 12 will feature "Queen of Earth" (which opens in Chicago Sept. 4), a psychological thriller from Alex Ross Perry starring Elisabeth Moss and Katherine Waterston as childhood friends who find their relationships changed dramatically when they reunite as adults at a beach house.
To buy tickets or get more information about the film series, go to elevatedfilmschicago.com.
nmetz@tribpub.com
