The raison d'être of Greg Laemmle and Raphael Sbarge's video podcast Inside the Arthouse is to shine a light on the finest American independent and international films, the people who make them, and the cinemas that screen them to audiences who appreciate the value of seeing movies as they were meant to be seen, on big screens in dark auditoriums with crowds of fellow movie-mad strangers. With that in mind, this week's episode is called "The Future of Arthouse Cinema in New York & Reasons To Be Happy with N.Y. Indie Guy Ira Deutchman." Deutchman is the leader of the campaign to open a new art house theater on the Upper Westside of Manhattan, the Upper Westside Cinema. The location is significant because it has long been an article of faith among art house distributors that if you can get a film off to a strong start in Manhattan, success in the rest of the country will fall into place. But how can you succeed in New York if there aren't enough art house screens in the city to properly exhibit the films that want to open?
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Greg and Raphael discuss this and more with Deutchman, a professor of film at Columbia University and a veteran art house distributor, to talk about the history of art houses in New York, the current dearth of cinemas on the Upper West Side, the reasons behind the predicament, and, most importantly, some hope for the future.
More about the Upper Westside Cinema from its website:
A Light in the Darkness
The UWS Cinema Center is ecstatic to announce that it has completed the purchase of the former Metro Theater! This brings us one step closer to creating a much-needed state-of-the-art, five-screen cinema, education center and community hub on the Upper West Side.The goal is not just to reclaim a building, but to revitalize a neighborhood and reconnect a community. We believe that cinema is more than entertainment; it is a portal to understanding different lives, cultures, and perspectives. As legendary film critic Roger Ebert profoundly noted, “Movies are empathy machines,” capable of transporting us into the lives and experiences of others.As polarization threatens the fabric of our society, the UWS Cinema Center stands for the transformative power of shared storytelling—creating spaces where diverse audiences can collectively experience narratives that challenge, inspire, and illuminate our shared humanity. Our vision extends beyond film screenings to creating a cultural hub where dialogue flourishes, education thrives, and community bonds strengthen.The Journey Ahead
Having successfully secured the Metro Theater property—a triumph made possible by the extraordinary generosity of neighbors, film enthusiasts, and civic leaders—we now embark on the next chapter of our story: transforming this architectural gem into a vibrant five-screen cinema arts and education center with a welcoming community bistro. This will require a capital campaign to raise the money to build out the facility and restore the landmarked facade. You can help us make this happen by donating to UWS Cinema Center, a 501(c)(3). Your donations are 100% tax deductible. You can donate by CLICKING HERE.*