Friends,

We're excited to open a new Virtual Cinema film today: acclaimed Portuguese filmmaker Pedro Costa's VITALINA VARELA .
VITALINA VARELA stars a nonprofessional actor in an extraordinary performance based on her own life. Vitalina travels from Cape Verde to Lisbon to reunite with her husband after two decades of separation, only to arrive mere days after his funeral. Alone in a strange land, she perseveres and begins to establish a new life. Glenn Kenny of The New York Times writes of this Critic's Pick, "VITALINA VARELA is socially conscious, but dreamlike, elegiac... It’s essential cinema."

Virtual Cinema titles FANTASTIC FUNGI , CORPUS CHRISTI , and NO DATA PLAN will be held over through Thursday, April 9, and even more new films will be announced this Friday. Stream these new releases while supporting your favorite nonprofit, independent cinema!
Check out General Manager George Myers' recent interview with Keisha Knight, Founding Director of Sentient.Art.Film, the distributor of NO DATA PLAN . Watch the conversation on Facebook and learn more about independent film distribution, how Sentient.Art.Film decides which filmmakers to work with, and why NO DATA PLAN spoke to Knight.
Scroll down for today's installment of At-Home Cinema Selections from Board Member Deb Christakos and Volunteer Alison Ozer. Let us know which of our recommendations you're watching—we love hearing from you!
If you'd like to support us during our closure, you can do so via any of the following methods. We're always grateful for your support, but especially during this difficult time. Thank you!
Happy movie-watching!

Your friends at Amherst Cinema
Deb Christakos, Board Member, recommends:
TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY
dir. Tomas Alfredson, 2011
I recommend TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY, an adaptation of the le Carré novel of the same name. This spy thriller has excellent performances by Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, and Benedict Cumberbatch. It is remarkable in its cool portrayal of Cold War tension and 1970s political atmosphere and style. The tightly written plot turns around concealed identities and unexpected revelations in a search to uncover a Soviet mole. The film is completely engaging without flashy violence or sleek effects.

Available for streaming on Netflix
Alison Ozer, See-Hear-Feel-Film Volunteer, recommends:
ALIVE AND KICKING
dir. Susan Glatzer, 2016
ALIVE AND KICKING is a fun, inspiring documentary exploring the history and revival of swing dance as well as the contemporary scene. I recommend this film because it introduces people to an international community of movement and joy accessible to all ages. It is dear to me as my daughter and I are part of this community. I began studies with the legendary Frankie Manning, knew Norma Miller and Dawn Hampton, and was close to many of those referenced in the film. I watched and learned from the new generation of teachers and performers, many of whom are friends. Swing music and its dance, the Lindy Hop, are a unique part of American culture that have spread worldwide and the film gives an insight into that phenomenon.

Available for streaming on Netflix
Past At-Home Cinema Selections:

Look for more recommendations soon! We'll send At-Home Cinema Selections in our e-newsletters on Tuesdays and Fridays throughout our temporary closure.
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