Press Release Submitted by Mary Turner
The Dietrich Theater in downtown Tunkhannock has its annual Fall Film Festival blowing in like crisp autumn leaves as the season approaches. An array of independent, foreign, and art films will be landing on the big screen, bringing all the color and charm of fall right into the theater. The festival kicks off on September 18 with an Opening Night Gala and continues through October 8, offering 21 films in 21 days, the perfect way to celebrate sweater weather and cinematic magic. A big, heartfelt thank you to the 121 generous sponsors whose support helps this festival thrive year after year.
Dietrich Theater General Manager and Movie Booker Ronnie Harvey shares, “Fall Film Festival returns with a lineup that needs to be seen to be believed. Packed with impressive stars like Antonio Banderas as a master chef teaching a future superstar in Tony, Seth Rogen hosting a dinner party turned awry in The Invite, and Jeff Daniels as Ronald Reagan during the height of war negotiations in The Brink of War. The festival is packed with star power. It’s also packed with insightful documentaries from the story of an escaped owl that captured a city’s heart in Wild Inside. To the eccentric people that come from miles away to experience The Python Hunt and the power of cinema itself in The Last Picture Shows. Come experience one of these fantastic films for yourself. You won’t be disappointed.”
Fall Film Festival will kick off with a special Preview Day, on Thursday, September 10 at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. The Dietrich Theater will screen all 21 trailers for the films featured in this year’s festival. Attendees can get a closer look at each film and decide which ones they don’t want to miss. Admission is free, and discounted concessions will be available.
Be sure to reserve your spot for the Opening Night Gala on September 18, a night of good company, great food, and two fantastic films. The evening begins with hors d’oeuvres from local favorites The Fireplace Restaurant, Ma Greenly’s BBQ, Samario’s Pizza, and Tioga Bistro, along with wine and beer from Nimble Hill Winery & Brewery. The first film of the night is Tony, starring Dominic Sessa as celebrity chef and documentarian Anthony Bourdain, and with Antonio Banderas in a featured role. The film follows Bourdain’s early career as he stumbles into the chaotic world of restaurant kitchens, launching a summer that changes his life. Raw and unflinching, it’s a rare biopic that shows its subject fully, warts and all, offering a fresh, deeply human portrait.
After the first film, gala‑goers can enjoy a delicious dessert provided by T&C Grille/bakery 420. Once your sweet tooth is satisfied, settle in for the second feature, The Invite, a comedy‑drama starring Seth Rogen, Olivia Wilde, and Penélope Cruz. The film follows Joe and Angela’s marriage, which is on thin ice. When they invite their enigmatic upstairs neighbors to a dinner party, the night spirals into unexpected places. Have they reignited the spark, or lit the match that burns it all down? Intelligent and incisive, The Invite pairs a sharp script with an exceptional ensemble, making this gathering one you won’t want to miss. Tickets are $40 in advance and $45 at the door. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Call 570‑836‑1022 x3 to reserve your seats!
In addition, the Fall Film Festival features two very special events. The first is a free showing of The Last Picture Shows in celebration of the Dietrich’s 25th anniversary! On Saturday, October 3 at 5 p.m., admission is free and so are small popcorn and small sodas. Before this documentary, which explores the history of cinemas and their role in community life, audience members will hear the remarkable story of the Dietrich Theater and how a determined community brought it back to life, helping it thrive as a beloved cultural landmark in downtown Tunkhannock for the past 25 years. The second special event takes place on October 1, before the 2:15 p.m. showing of Cookie Queens, the local Girl Scouts will share a short presentation about cookie sales, Girl Scouting, and what it means to them.
Once the festival comes to an end, the fun isn’t over just yet. On Friday, October 9 at 1 p.m., attendees will have the chance to gather with fellow movie lovers to discuss and share their thoughts on the films they’ve seen. Admission is free, and all are welcome to attend.
Tickets to Fall Film Festival movies are $8.50 each, with the exception of the Opening Night Gala. Below you’ll find the full lineup of Spring Film Festival showtimes and synopses. These details are also available at DietrichTheater.com.
American Pachuco: The Legend of Luiz Valdez
Show times:
Sept. 23 at 5:00 p.m.
Sept. 26 at 7:00 p.m.
Oct. 2 at 7:00 p.m.
Oct. 5 at 2:15 p.m.
Oct. 8 at 12:00 p.m
Rating: NR
Runtime: 92 min
Language: English, Spanish
Director: David Alvarado
Before Hollywood knew his name, Luis Valdez was staging plays from the back of a flatbed truck for striking farmworkers in Delano, California. American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez traces his unlikely rise, from founding El Teatro Campesino, to becoming the first Chicano director on Broadway with the incendiary Zoot Suit, to directing La Bamba. Narrated by Edward James Olmos, the film reveals the resistance behind one of American culture’s most overlooked revolutions.
The Brink of War
Show times:
Sept. 19 at 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 22 at 7:00 p.m.
Sept. 24 at 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 29 at 2:15 p.m.
Oct. 2 at 12:00 p.m.
Oct. 5 at 2:30 p.m.
Rating: PG
Runtime: 117 min
Language: English
Director: Michael Russell Gunn
Starring: Jeff Daniels, Jared Harris, J.K. Simmons
Starring Jeff Daniels and J.K. Simmons, The Brink of War is a tense political thriller that captures negotiations behind the scenes of two rival political powers. President Reagan races against time to salvage a deal with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev that could dismantle nuclear arsenals — or ignite disaster. With pressure mounting from advisors, intelligence agencies, and history itself, every word spoken brings the world closer to peace… or destruction.
Cookie Queens
Show times:
Sept. 26 at 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 28 at 12:00 p.m.
Oct. 1 at 2:15 p.m.* Showing with the Girl Scouts
Oct. 3 at 9:15 p.m.
Rating: G
Runtime: 91 min
Language: English
Director: Alysa Nahmias
Cookie Queens follows four tenacious girls who are striving to be the top selling “Cookie Queen”, navigating an $800 million business in which innocence and ambition collide. Cookie Queens is a coming-of-age story about the joys, pressures, and tensions woven into one of
America’s most cherished rituals: Girl Scout Cookie season and is a celebration of girlhood and the complexities that come with it.
Elijah Peel
Show times:
Sept. 19 at 2:30 p.m.
Sept. 21 at 5:00 p.m.
Sept. 24 at 12:00 p.m.
Sept. 29 at 7:00 p.m.
Oct. 1 at 2:15 p.m.
Oct. 7 at 5:00 p.m.
Rating: PG- 13
Runtime: 117 min
Language: English
Director: Nathan Ross Murphy, Kevin D. Sepe
Starring: Robert Malcolm Cumming, Evelyn Grace Kite, Kevin Sorbo
Inspired by a true story, Elijah Peel follows a stadium-filling rock star whose life of fame and addiction comes to a sudden halt after a heart attack nearly costs him everything. During his recovery, Elijah encounters a remarkable young girl whose unwavering faith, radiant spirit, and wisdom beyond her years begin to break through the walls he has built around his heart.
Through their unexpected bond, her extraordinary hope inspires Elijah to begin a powerful journey toward healing, reconciliation, and faith.
Exhibition on Screen: Caravaggio
Show times:
Sept. 20 at 12:00 p.m.
Sept. 24 at 12:00 p.m.
Sept. 30 at 4:30 p.m.
Rating: NR
Runtime: 100 min
Language: English
Director: David Bickerstaff, Phil Grabsky
With first-hand testimony from the artist himself, Exhibition on Screen:Caravaggio unravels the story of one of history’s most brilliant, complex and controversial figures. Featuring masterpiece after masterpiece and testimony from leading experts from around the world, Caravaggio
immerses audiences in the hidden narratives of the artist’s life, piecing together clues embedded within his incredible art. His astonishing paintings have captivated audiences for centuries. The intriguing self-depictions within his works — sometimes disguised, sometimes in plain sight — offer a rare window into his psyche and personal struggles.
Hadestown: The Musical
Show times:
Sept. 24 at 7:00 p.m.
Sept. 28 at 4:15 p.m.
Oct. 4 at 12:00 p.m.
Oct. 7 at 2:15 p.m.
Rating: NR
Runtime: 141min
Language: English
Director: Brett Sullivan
Starring: Reeve Carney, André De Shields, Amber Gray
Winner of eight Tony Awards in 2019 including Best Musical and featuring the five original principals of the Broadway company, Hadestown: The Musical is a live recording of the hit stage production. The genre-defying new musical blends modern American folk music with New Orleans-inspired jazz to reimagine a sweeping ancient tale. Following two intertwining love stories — that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone – Hadestown invites audiences on a hell-raising journey to the underworld and back.
Horsegirls
Show times:
Sept. 22 at 12:00 p.m.
Sept. 25 at 2:15 p.m.
Sept. 27 at 2:15 p.m.
Oct. 1 at 12:00 p.m.
Oct. 6 at 2:00 p.m.
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 101 min
Language: English
Director: Lauren Meyering
Starring: Lillian Carrier, Jerod Haynes, Gretchen Mol
Horsegirls follows Margarita, a 22-year-old autistic woman balancing early adulthood, her first job, and uncertainty surrounding her mother’s health. When she discovers the world of competitive hobby horse dancing, what starts as curiosity becomes a lifeline of movement, craft, and community. As she trains and finds her footing, she gains greater confidence and autonomy, creating a future shaped less by expectation and more by her own rhythm, choices, and joy
The Invite
Show times:
Sept. 18 – Opening Night
Sept. 20 at 2:15 p.m.
Sept. 23 at 12:00 p.m.
Sept. 27 at 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 1 at 4:15 p.m.
Oct. 2 at 12:00 p.m.
Oct. 4 at 5:00 p.m.
Oct. 7 at 7:00 p.m.
Rating: R
Runtime: 107 min
Language: English, Spanish
Director: Olivia Wilde
Starring: Seth Rogen, Olivia Wilde, Penélope Cruz, Edward Norton
Starring Seth Rogen, Olivia Wilde and Penelope Cruz, The Invite follows Joe and Angela’s marriage which is on thin ice. When they invite their enigmatic upstairs neighbors for a dinner party, the night spirals into unexpected places. Have they reignited the spark or lit the match that burns it all down? An intelligent and incisive look at evolving relationships, The Invite pairs a sharp script with an exceptional ensemble, making this gathering one you won’t want to miss.
The Kidnapping of Arabella
Show times:
Sept. 22 at 12:00 p.m.
Sept. 25 at 12:00 p.m.
Sept. 26 at 9:15 p.m.
Sept. 29 at 2:30 p.m.
Oct. 2 at 2:30 p.m.
Oct. 6 at 7:00 p.m.
Rating: NR
Runtime: 107 min
Language: Italian
Director: Carolina Cavalli
Starring: Benedetta Porcaroli, Lucrezia Guglielmino, Chris Pine
The Kidnapping of Arabella follows Holly as she spends her days at her dead-end job fantasizing about holes in the space-time continuum and wondering where her life went wrong. When she meets Arabella, an eight-year-old rebel hoping to run away from her self-absorbed father, she becomes convinced their meeting is a cosmic sign, and that Arabella is, in fact, her past self sent back for a second chance. The two embark on an unconventional road trip between two lost souls
who might be exactly what the other needs.
The Last Picture Shows
Show times:
Sept. 22 at 2:15 p.m.
Sept. 28 at 7:15 p.m.
Oct. 3 at 5:00 p.m. – FREE*
Oct. 6 at 12:00 p.m.
Rating: NR
Runtime:78 min
Language: English
Director: Rustin Thompson
Filmmaker Rustin Thompson journeys into the American West on a search for traces of what was once a center of small-town life: the movie theater. On the trip, he finds long abandoned cinemas; movie houses that have fallen into disrepair; theaters recently closed, theaters struggling to hold on, and theaters that — thanks to their thoughtful caretakers — are not only surviving but thriving. The Last Picture Shows is not only a timely portrait of an industry in crisis, but it also reminds viewers that even in vast cinema deserts, there are oases of community and gathering that remain, where the movie house continues to be a place of wonder, contemplation, and connection.
A Life Illuminated
Show times:
Sept. 21 at 2:15 p.m.
Sept. 25 at 7:00 p.m.
Oct. 1 at 7:00 p.m.
Oct. 5 at 12:00 p.m.
Rating: NR
Runtime: 89 min
Language: English
Director: Tasha Van Zandt
A Life Illuminated follows trailblazing marine biologist Dr. Edie Widder — one of the first women in her field and one of the first humans to explore the ocean’s twilight zone — as she descends 3,300 feet into the ocean’s darkest depths. From capturing the first-ever footage of the elusive giant squid to unveiling the glowing mysteries of deep-sea bioluminescence, Edie embarks on her most daring quest yet: to document a bioluminescent phenomenon that could
forever change how we understand life on Earth.
The Marching Band
Show times:
Sept. 21 at 7:00 p.m.
Sept. 26 at 2:15 p.m.
Sept. 28 at 2:00 p.m.
Oct. 1 at 12:00 p.m.
Oct. 5 at 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 8 at 12:00 p.m.
Rating: NR
Runtime: 102 min
Language: French, English, Italian
Director: Emmanuel Courcol
Starring: Benjamin Lavernhe, Pierre Lottin, Sarah Suco
The Marching Band follows a world-famous orchestra conductor who discovers the brother he never knew he had — a school cafeteria worker who plays trombone in a local marching band. Detecting his brother’s exceptional musical talent, he takes it upon himself to rectify the
injustice of fate. The Marching Band is an equally hilarious and affecting crowd-pleaser full of sincerity and charm, and a heartwarming story about the power of connections, both familial and through music.
Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World
Show times:
Sept. 21 at 12:00 p.m.
Sept. 24 at 2:15 p.m.
Sept. 28 at 12:00 p.m.
Oct. 4 at 2:45 p.m.
Rating: NR
Runtime: 91 min
Language: English
Director: Sasha Waters
If poetry had a pop icon, Mary Oliver would be it. From a lonely childhood to literary fame, her poems inspired and spoke directly to contemporary anxieties and the human relationship with the natural world — issues that feel especially pressing in an era of climate crisis, digital distraction, and social fragmentation. Featuring interviews with her close friends, including John Waters, never-before-seen personal photos, notebooks, and recitations of her work by Stephen Colbert, Steve Buscemi, and Oprah Winfrey, Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World considers the poet’s long lifetime of work in context, capturing the uniqueness of her world and the natural beauty that inspired her.
National Theater Live: Mrs. Warren’s Profession
Show times:
Sept. 19 at 12:00 p.m.
Sept. 25 at 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 2 at 2:15 p.m.
Oct. 5 at 7:00 p.m.
Rating: NR
Runtime: 120 min
Language: English
Director: Dominic Cooke
Starring: Imelda Staunton, Bessie Carter, Kevin Doyle
Five-time Olivier Award-winner Imelda Staunton joins forces with her real-life daughter Bessie Carter for the very first time in the National Theater Live production of Mrs. Warren’s Profession, playing mother and daughter in Bernard Shaw’s incendiary moral classic. Vivie Warren is a woman ahead of her time. Her mother, however, is a product of that old patriarchal order. Exploiting it has earned Mrs. Warren a fortune — but at what cost? Filmed live from the West End, this new production explores the clash between morality and independence, traditions and progress.
Peter Asher: Everywhere Man
Show times:
Sept. 21 at 2:15 p.m.
Sept. 25 at 9:15 p.m.
Sept. 29 at 12:00 p.m.
Oct. 3 at 12:00 p.m.
Oct. 8 at 2:00 p.m.
Rating: NR
Runtime: 117 min
Language: English
Director: Daniel Geller, Dayna Goldfine
Peter Asher: Everywhere Man follows the extraordinary life of Peter Asher who has intersected with some of the greatest artists and musical moments of the last six decades. A child actor who
became a pop star and then a manager and producer to the likes of James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt, he remains a vital creative force to this day. The documentary features interviews with Paul McCartney, Carole King, Steve Martin and many more.
The Python Hunt
Show times:
Sept. 19 at 9:30 p.m.
Sept. 20 at 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 23 at 7:00 p.m.
Sept. 26 at 12:00 p.m.
Sept. 30 at 2:30 p.m.
Oct. 4 at 7:15 p.m.
Oct. 8 at 4:30 p.m.
Rating: NR
Runtime: 91 min
Language: English
Director: Xander Robin
In an attempt to save the threatened ecosystem, the Florida government hosts an annual competition to remove invasive pythons from the Everglades. The Python Hunt follows the ten grueling nights when python-mania overtakes the Everglades as an eclectic group of amateur
hunters contend with unforgiving terrain, aggressive nocturnal creatures and their own desires and demons that push them into the swamp, searching for slithering glory.
Reading Lolita in Tehran
Show times:
Sept. 22 at 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 25 at 2:15 p.m.
Sept. 27 at 12:00 p.m.
Sept. 29 at 12:00 p.m.
Oct. 3 at 7:00 p.m.
Rating: NR
Runtime: 107 min
Language: Persian, English
Director: Eran Riklis
Starring: Golshifteh Farahani, Zar Amir Ebrahimi, Mina Kavani
Based on the beloved memoir, Reading Lolita in Tehran tells the true story of a literature professor in revolutionary Iran who, amidst censorship and religious extremism, gathers seven of her most dedicated female students to immerse themselves in banned literary classics. Through their clandestine engagement with literature, they discover the transformative power of storytelling, forging paths toward personal freedom and resilience in an oppressive world.
The Rivals of Amziah King
Show times:
Sept. 20 at 7:00 p.m.
Sept. 23 at 2:15 p.m.
Sept. 29 at 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 6 at 4:15 p.m.
Rating: R
Runtime: 130 min
Language: English
Director: Andrew Patterson
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Angelina LookingGlass, Kurt Russell
Starring Matthew McConaughey and Kurt Russell and set deep within the backwoods of rural Oklahoma, The Rivals of Amziah King follows charismatic and musically gifted Amziah King who herds a bluegrass-playing band of misfits while overseeing the premier honey-making operation in town. When Amziah’s estranged foster daughter unexpectedly returns, he leaps at the possibility to renew the connection and create a family business. But the honey game is ruthless, and Amziah’s rivals threaten to destroy everything he has built. What follows is a sprawling, unpredictable and genre blurring epic.
The Salt Path
Show times:
Sept. 19 at 7:00 p.m.
Sept. 28 at 2:00 p.m.
Sept. 30 at 12:00 p.m.
Oct. 3 at 2:30 p.m.
Oct. 5 at 12:00 p.m.
Oct. 8 at 7:00 p.m.
Rating: NR
Runtime: 115 min
Language: English
Director: Marianne Elliott
Starring: Gillian Anderson, Jason Isaacs, Denis Lill
The Salt Path is the profound true story of husband and wife, who have been forcibly removed from their home. They make the desperate decision to backpack in the hope that, in nature, they will find solace and a sense of acceptance and begin a 630-mile trek along the beautiful but rugged Cornish, Devon and Dorset coastline. With depleted resources, only a tent and some essentials between them, every step along the path is a testament to their growing strength and determination. The Salt Path is an exhilarating, challenging, and liberating journey and a portrayal of home, how it can be lost and rediscovered in the most unexpected ways.
Tony
Show times:
Sept. 18 – Opening Night
Sept. 22 at 2:15 p.m.
Sept. 24 at 2:15 p.m.
Sept. 30 at 7:00 p.m.
Oct. 2 at 9:15 p.m.
Oct. 7 at 12:00 p.m.
Rating: R
Runtime: 106 min
Language: English
Director: Matt Johnson
Starring: Dominic Sessa, Antonio Banderas, Emilia Jones
Starring Dominic Sessa as world-renowned celebrity chef and documentarian Anthony Bourdain and featuring Antonio Banderas, Tony is a coming-of-age story that follows his early career as he stumbles into the chaotic world of a restaurant kitchen, setting off a summer that shapes the course of his life. Tony is the rare biopic that presents an unflinching and raw portrayal of a man,
warts and all, making it a fresh and profound approach to its subject matter.
Wild Inside
Show times:
Sept. 21 at 12:00 p.m.
Sept. 25 at 12:00 p.m.
Sept. 27 at 7:00 p.m.
Oct. 2 at 5:00 p.m.
Oct. 8 at 2:00 p.m.
Rating: NR
Runtime: 96 min
Language: English
Director: Penny Lane
Wild Inside follows the events of February 2, 2023 when Flaco, a male eagle-owl, the largest species of owl in the world — was discovered missing from his cage at the Central Park Zoo in Manhattan. Flaco who had lived his entire life in captivity is now embarking on a journey of the unknown. Wild Inside is a surprising story revealing the delight, concern, and fascination of millions in the city and beyond for Flaco and his wellbeing.