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Arts & Culture

Pompano Multiplex Gives Indie Filmmakers Some Screen Time

Christine DiMattei

At Muvico Broward 18 – better known as “Muvico Pompano” -- there's a red carpet rolled out in front of Cinema 6.   Inside, the projectionist is running "Edge of Salvation," a new film by Los Angeles-based director Luciano Saber.

"Actually, my publicist suggested it because she had opened another movie here,” says Saber.  “So I said, 'Alright, let's do it in Pompano Beach, Florida.  Why not?' "

In the weeks between the Golden Globes and the Academy Awards, it seems there's an Oscar-nominated film playing in every theater.  Meanwhile, independent film-makers like Saber have to fight for every available inch of screen to showcase their work.  But some, through word of mouth, are discovering that Pompano Beach is the place to be.

Last year, Muvico Pompano served as one of the venues for the 27th annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, along with Sunrise Civic Center and Fort Lauderdale’s popular arthouse theater, CinemaParadiso.

Muvico Pompano General Manager Marlyn Hodgens says the theater is garnering a reputation among independent filmmakers as a great place to find a preview audience.

"We’re 'center' to a lot of different demographics.  People from Century Village, the whole crowd from Fort Lauderdale or Boca,” says Hodgens.

Alas, the South Florida premiere of "Edge of Salvation" didn't exactly pan out the way Luciano Saber had hoped.  The second of only two screenings had to be canceled for lack of turn-out and was replaced at the last minute by "Texas Chainsaw Massacre, 3-D." 

"It is what it is,” says Saber, with a laugh.  “I'm back on a plane tomorrow morning and starting a new one.”

Christine DiMattei is WLRN's Morning Edition anchor and also reports on Arts & Culture.
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