Credit to Mia Oldani

Pedestrians stand in front of Hi-Pointe Theatre, a movie theater in St. Louis dating from 1922, showing new releases and classic films

For St. Louis film lovers like Eddie Silva and Don Brazel, cinema isn’t just entertainment, it’s something sacred. Whether it’s catching a rare screening at the Hi-Pointe or curating their punk-themed film nights across the city, the experience of watching a movie together remains magical. It’s a communal dream, just as Bertolucci described. However, that dream has become more fragile in recent years. Beloved institutions like the Plaza Frontenac theater have shut their doors for good, a symptom of shifting habits. With the rise of streaming platforms, movie-going has become more of an occasional convenience than a cherished ritual. What once was a life-changing, in-person experience now often happens alone, in pajamas, in front of a TV. Still, local venues like the Arkadin, Hi-Pointe, and Webster University’s theater keep the cinematic spirit alive with support from organizations like Cinema St. Louis.

“Well, obviously they haven’t helped,” Silva said about streaming services. “But you know, I hope people will always say this, but I’ll say it too. I think there’s a sense that people are getting tired of that, especially after, you know, so much has changed since the pandemic that people don’t even recognize or even think about [going to movies], and one of the things is that nobody could go anywhere. I think that the idea of just staying home and watching movies or watching whatever is streaming, or watching Succession, or whatever is ending. More people want to get out now, and I think that’s one reason why I think a little movie theater like the Arkadin can exist because people like the idea of going out and being with people again.”

While streaming dominates, Brazel continues to fight for the relevance of physical theaters. Through his film series Cinematic Chaos, he hosts screenings across St. Louis from his first event at the Punk Rock Flea Market in 2018 to current showings at the Galleria 6 Cinema and Chase Park Plaza. For Brazel, nothing compares to seeing a film on the big screen.

“Because that’s the best way to experience them.” Brazel said. “You’re out of your house, off your phone, and focused on the film. A good example is Sinners, which I saw last week. It’s a stunning movie shot in IMAX and 70mm; it was made to be seen on a big screen. Even short films deserve that treatment. My band, Bastard Squad, had a song used in the credits of a short film by a Detroit filmmaker. I went to a theater screening there and it was incredible. So yeah, the theater is where films belong.”

“One of the coolest things we did was Dawn of the Dead for its 45th anniversary,” Brazel said. “We were one of only two theaters in the country that screened it in a mall, the other being the actual mall where it was filmed. Walking out into a quiet, closed mall afterward really felt like a zombie apocalypse. Last Halloween, we screened Evil Dead in 35mm. This year, we’re doing Evil Dead II on Halloween, which is a Friday, so I’m expecting a bigger turnout…And last year, we did Repo Man again, and I even got to interview director Alex Cox on video. That was huge for me as a longtime fan.”

For high school students, Brazel suggests checking out SLC Punk, which is playing at this summer’s Punk Rock Flea Market.

“At our next Punk Rock Flea Market, we’re showing SLC Punk, starring Matthew Lillard.“ Brazel said. “It’s set in the ’80s and is kind of a coming-of-age punk film. That one’s great for younger audiences looking to connect with the punk scene or just see something different.”

Silva recommends volunteering for the St. Louis Film Festival as a way to discover new films and filmmakers. He suggests exploring the work of directors like the aforementioned Bernardo Bertolucci, Paul Thomas Anderson, Martin Scorsese, Greta Gerwig, Céline Sciamma, and David Lynch.

“I love David Lynch because he captures that dreamlike quality of cinema,” Silva said. “He stretches the dream and makes it feel even more real or sometimes, even more surreal.”

In a world of infinite digital choices, it’s easy to forget the magic of sitting in the dark with strangers, no phones, experiencing a story on the big screen. But for those who still believe in that magic, who still seek out those shared dreams, the theater lights in St. Louis are still shining.