Support VIVA! Come see Ghostlight at the Dairy Arts Center on September 22nd at 3 pm. The film will be followed by a reception with appetizers and a cash bar.
Ghostlight, an award-winning feature film that premiered at Sundance in 2024, celebrates the remarkable ways in which the arts and community can mend shattered lives. This film is not to be missed.
Tickets are available now for purchase at the Dairy. Early bird tickets are $50 up to and including September 8th, and $65 from September 9th up to the event. The screening will be in the Gordon Gamm Theater. All seating is reserved. All proceeds will go to support VIVA’s mission to give older adults the opportunity to participate in a creative community.
The Story
A family, suffering from a terrible tragedy, is in a crisis. The father has suppressed all feelings except rage, the mother is struggling to hold the marriage together, and the teenage daughter is melting down. As their lives unravel, the father is pulled into a community theater production of Romeo and Juliet. Through the acting out of Shakespeare’s story of the doomed young lovers, a light begins to shine in the family’s darkest hour. Healing begins. 
The description does not really prepare the viewer for what they are about to witness. The tragedy at the center of the narrative is revealed slowly, layer by layer, as the rehearsals of the play begin to echo the family’s real-life drama. The emotions of the characters, once frozen by trauma, thaw as in the spring and rush over the viewer in a torrent. Both funny and touching, the film reminds us that the ancient art of live theater is a powerful medium for making sense of the world. Through community and shared experiences, we can repair that which is broken.
About the Filmmakers
The screenplay is by Kelly O’Sullivan, who wrote this story from her memories of working in community theaters while growing up. She and co-director Alex Thompson enlisted an acting family from Chicago – Keith Kupferer, Tara Mandell, and Katherine Kupferer – to play the roles of the troubled family. Their superb performances anchor the film in a painful reality.
Why Show This Film?
The film passed through town very quickly after its release on June 14th. VIVA wants to bring another viewing opportunity to Boulder in order that more people may see, and be moved by, this unforgettable work of art. In that way, VIVA hopes to amplify its own message that theater builds an inclusive, loving community.
The Ghost Light
The ghost light is a theater tradition, the lamp left burning on a darkened stage. It is literally a guiding light that protects people from falling off the stage, but it’s also a symbol of the creative spark that can keep us alive even in our darkest hour. The film Ghostlight is not to be missed; it’s that rare movie that shows how essential the arts are to our survival. By attending this benefit screening, people can help VIVA build and offer more programs where creativity can thrive.
Reviews of the Film
“Something special…celebrates the healing power of art.”
-Variety
“Emotional, gorgeously told. One of those films that’s difficult to forget.”
-Screen Rant
“A beautifully woven tale of the restorative powers of art and community.”
-Harper’s Bazaar
“A tender gem about the power of human connection.”
-IndieWire
