“Anyone who harbors warm feelings about the Drive-In experience should feel right at home” – Leonard Maltin “April Wright’s film plays like a eulogy for the family-owned businesses that were remembered during the pandemic. Like Awakenings temporarily provided hope and maybe like A.I. put to bed one last time.” – Erik Childress, Movie Madness Podcast
“Filmmaker April Wright found magic in the Drive-In – beyond the infamous teenager reputation – that spoke to the future of this legendary way to see movies. The experience of Drive-Ins is its allure, and the memories made there are the bonus” – Patrick McDonald, HollywoodChicago
“Drive-ins are a part of Americana that is sadly fading away—Wright’s film is a call to action and a love letter to drive-ins, which is a win-win for people supporting the cause as you will also come away with incredible movie viewing memories.” – Sarah Knight Adamson, Sarah’s Backstage Pass
“… highlights a microcosm of the theatrical entertainment sector that’s often overlooked and has gone unconsidered through candid and raw on-location interviews.” – Douglas Davidson, Elements of Madness
“Highly recommended if you are a film fan” – Stuart Bannerman, From Page 2 Screen
BACK TO THE DRIVE-IN
In this fascinating documentary, we go behind the scenes to visit eleven unique
family-owned drive-ins across the country to experience their passion and determination to keep their theaters alive. It’s a story of human resilience.
On Digital Platforms March 14, 2023 from Uncork’d Entertainment Directed by: April Wright
Starring: D. Edward Vogel, Dwight Grimm, Leigh Van Swall
In April Wright’s fascinating documentary BACK TO THE DRIVE-IN, we go behind the scenes to visit eleven unique family-owned drive-ins across the country to experience their passion and determination to keep their theaters alive. It’s a story of human resilience.When the pandemic hit, drive-ins were suddenly the only safe venue in town, with press coverage about how drive-ins are “back,” and how they are thriving. But this documentary goes behind the headlines to learn the truth, spending a whole night with 11 very different drive-ins in 8 states all over the country, from preparations before the customers arrive, to selling tickets, opening the snack bar, and getting the movie on screen, we discover these family-owned businesses are actually struggling to survive.
This doc is about authentic drive-ins and the passionate people who run them, but more broadly it highlights questions about the future of the theatrical experience, and the challenges of many small businesses wondering whether they will survive and make it to the other side of the pandemic.
BACK TO THE DRIVE-IN releases on digital March 14 from Uncork’d Entertainment.
