A star of movies helps a movie theater

Patrons of the Plaza Cinema & Media Arts Center in Patchogue filled every seat in the house, plus an extra two rows Friday night, to view “Conclave,” support the theater, and hear actress and Bellport resident Isabella Rossellini, who stars as Sister Agnes, discuss the riveting film that addresses the dramas involved in selecting a new Pope.

Bellport resident Len Groopman, who attended with his wife Jasmine, helped galvanize the call to aid the Plaza’s continued existence.

“We were at dinner a month ago with  Isabella and she was distraught,” he said. “She learned from [executive director] Catherine Oberg that the cinema was in trouble and only had a few months to survive and said, ‘We have to do something.’ If we all gave her another six months in donations to sustain it through grants, ticket sales, and memberships, we could bring attendance back.”  COVID and streaming services severely decimated movie theater attendance; people began isolating and watching films in their homes, he pointed out. But Plaza Cinema offered a community that besides quality movies, showed operas and art films on a big screen, as well as held discussions, animation classes, film editing workshops, and special events, including the “Love Wins” series that attracts international filmmakers.

Groopman contacted friends, urging donations and attendance at the special Friday night event. And also, to keep coming.

“This is a community that should be able to sustain a theater. Distributors only provide top films to theaters if there is an audience to see them. If the audience goes down, the quality of films goes down. That’s why Isabella is here,” he said. “So many cinemas are struggling.”

Rossellini, Plaza Cinema’s honorary trustee,  circulated with founding trustees and supporters who go back to 2010 when films were viewed at the then BrickHouse Brewery in Shands Loft, as well as new theatergoers. Born into a creative family with mother actress, Ingrid Bergman, and film director, screenwriter and producer father, Roberto Rossellini, she grew up in Rome and was immersed in the film world.

Rossellini did a short introduction about support for the Plaza. She remained for the film and spoke to the audience afterwards for a half hour, discussing her role—a small but pivotal one as the mostly silent but strong voice of conscience—the sets, the Vatican, and some of the actors, working with Ralph Fiennes (the beleaguered Cardinal Dean Lawrence tasked with getting a new pope), Stanley Tucci (visionary Cardinal Bellini), John Lithgow (ruthless Cardinal Trembley) and Italian actor Sergio Castellitto (equally ruthless, conservative Cardinal Tedesco).

The catfights among the cardinals for the next Pope are wowsers!

Oberg couldn’t make the film and talk due to illness, but she did speak to the Advance before the event.

“Len [Groopman] was a great collaborator with me organizing this event. During COVID, and then the Actors Strike (Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of  Television and Radio Artists in July to November, 2023) and Writers Strikes (Writers Guild of America in 2023 for 148 days), there were no significant films made,” Oberg told the Advance.  “We survived almost two years of shutdown, thanks to our community and grants. But with streaming services, and people staying home, it’s now a crisis. The whole purpose of this event is to get people out to the movies.”

Oberg commented that Giving Tuesday was this week and is hoping people will support Plaza Cinema, online via their website plazamac.org (look for the “Support” header), also through memberships, gift certificates or mailing a check to Plaza Cinema & Media Arts Center, 20 Terry Street, Patchogue, N.Y. 11772.