There was a fierce debate during the preparation of the first Nitrate Picture Show on whether we should announce the festival’s schedule in advance. We eventually agreed not to reveal the program until the morning of the opening day, and the audience’s response proved we made the right decision. More so than the rediscovery of lost cinematic treasures, this event revolves around the projection of nitrate film as a cultural treasure in its own right. On display is the visual texture and resonance of the prints themselves in all their splendor—and, yes, with the blemishes and flaws they accumulate over time. All of this is part of the nitrate experience.
In an ideal world, we would have kept each of the festival titles under wraps until the lights in the Dryden Theatre went down and the first image appeared on the screen. While this may have pushed our concept a little too far, there is something irresistible about sitting in a darkened theater while being “in the dark” about what is to come. This is perhaps why last year’s Blind Date with Nitrate provoked such excitement from our audience and emerged as one of the festival’s most popular offerings.
The title will be officially revealed when the curtain rises on Sunday.