The Projectionist

The Projectionist ~ I had the pleasure of attending a showing, an incomplete version apparently, of The Projectionist: A Passion for Film. This is a documentary about local film historian and preservationist Lou DiCrescenzo. While unfinished, it's rather bittersweet as viewers learn of Lou's fight with diabetes, and how the disease has beaten him down in recent years. He still keeps on kicking and providing a wonderful asset to the film community in the South Jersey/Philadelphia area.

I've gotten to know Lou from afar very slowly as he's introduced older films at first the Ritz, and then the Rave in Voorhees for a couple years now. They run a program on Monday afternoons called Silver Screen Classics, each week featuring a classic (and sometimes not-so classic) movie from the past. Except when he's been ill, Lou was right up front with a microphone before each showing giving background and telling the secrets behind that week's feature. Sometimes we'd even get a short or a cartoon from Lou's private collection. His knowledge and insight are always a treasure.

I look forward to when this documentary might be finished and can be shown publicly. It's a great story of a great man. Look for it, if you see it, it'll be worth it. A couple upcoming shows are listed here. In the meantime, don't forget to check out Silver Screen Classics on Monday afternoons at the Rave.