A Theatre Near You is a short documentary about the Patricia Theatre – one of the last surviving “movie houses” from the age of company towns, steamships, and traveling vaudeville shows. The theatre was built in the 1920s in the remote coastal community of Powell River. At the time, Powell River was a company town supported by a pulp & paper mill. The theatre still stands today, and its storied history tells us much about how our province has changed in the last century. 

 

The film poses a central question: why did this cinema survive for a century when so many others perished? There are very few independent cinemas left in Canada, especially in small communities. What makes this one different? As it turns out, the survival of this lonely old theatre speaks to the town’s profound commitment to its own identity. Ultimately the film is about the meaning of community, and the importance of heritage. 

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The film was created in partnership with Gabfilms, with funding provided by TELUS. It premiered at none other than The Patricia Theatre itself, and was the winner of 4 Leo Awards, including “Best Short Documentary”. It is currently streaming on TELUS Optik TV.