Williams Center's Cinema Underground Different Approach to Film
- sammievvassallo1
- 10 hours ago
- 2 min read
Cinema Underground
The Williams Center, located in Rutherford, N.J., is home to various arts events such as music performances, comedy nights, panel discussions, dance parties and Cinema Underground.
Cinema Underground's name comes from its location in the basement of the center, as well as the types of films it screens.
“We show midnight movies, which are rather unique,” Cinema Underground creator Michael Olivo said. “As well as international, independent — a lot of animation.”
The goal is to exclusively show non-mainstream, or underground, cinema. Olivo said the idea came after a previous cinema that screened popular films like The Avengers moved out, leaving an open theater at the Williams Center.
“That’s when I started thinking about an independent theater down there, because I never wanted to show that [mainstream] kind of movie,” Olivo said.
Showing these types of films also helps avoid some of the technical issues that come with screening blockbusters.
“For instance, you need to dedicate a screen for two weeks to one film exclusively when dealing with major studio first-run releases,” Olivo said. “We nearly show a different film every day.”
They have also started hosting events to accompany films and attract new fans, such as live accompaniment or meetups for specific types of film.
“Our goal is to expose people to a variety of films, and to expand their understanding of cinema in general,” Olivo said. “We also aim to bring people together who feel isolated by their unique or niche tastes.”
Cinema Underground is made up mostly of volunteers, as well as Larry Fried and Ken Portillo, who oversee programming, scheduling volunteers and projecting the films.
Upcoming events this month include screenings of John Hughes and Steven Spielberg films, wuxia martial arts movies and music documentaries. Just in time for summer, Cinema Underground will also show beach-themed films like The Talented Mr. Ripley.
For more information, @cinemaundergroundnj on Instagram posts the theatre's upcoming events.
History at the Williams Center
The Williams Center in Rutherford also has a unique history, setting it apart from other arts centers in the area.
The building was originally constructed in the 1920s and was used as a vaudeville theater, which featured a variety of acts like comedy, music and dance. Then known as the Rivoli Theatre, that name remains part of the Williams Center today.
The main part of the building has survived damage over the years, according to Olivo.
“The building has a long history of trials and tribulations,” he said. “There have been fires and water damage over its 103 years. When we took on the project, the Rivoli was unusable and sat there derelict.”
Changes are hopefully on the way for the building, including a new concession stand, new projectors and a full redevelopment of the space. To learn more about their plans, visit their website.