Charlize Theron and Seth Rogen play old friends who find love in LONG SHOT which is screening at both at Nitehawk Williamsburg and Prospect Park. The film is perfectly paired with a food and drink special that has been blissfully crafted to ignite a longing for love. The collection features hickory shrimp skewers and a Pamplemousse cocktail that comes optionally with CBD oil. Elevate your dine-in theater experience at Nitehawk Cinema.

Bees, Seas, and Trees
Hickory shrimp skewers, honey, rosemary, hibiscus

Pamplemousse
Johnnie Walker, falernum, grapefruit-cinnamon syrup, lime, La Croix Pamplemousse (optional CBD oil)

On June 28, 1969, riots broke out in response to a police raid at the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village, which is now the country’s first national monument dedicated to LGBTQ rights. To honor the 50th anniversary of The Stonewall Riots, NItehawk Cinema celebrates representation, inclusiveness, and the LGBTQ community with special screenings of queer films and events in association with NewFest and Queer Soup Night. The Pride program will run at both Nitehawk locations between May 25th – June 9th and will showcase a diverse range of stories to open hearts and eyes to the queer experience.

Cult classic BUT I’M A CHEERLEADER will be the first 35mm print to screen in Prospect Park

Caryn Coleman, Director of Programming/Special Projects at Nitehawk divulges, “We’re extremely proud to celebrate the LGBTQ community by highlighting iconic and contemporary independent films directed by women and people of color.” To kick off Pride at Nitehawk Williamsburg is Wanuri Kahiu’s vibrant and tender love story between two young women set in Kenya, Rafiki. Followed by Caroline Berler’s documentary Dykes, Camera, Action which features commentary on how Stonewall, the feminist movement, and the experimental cinema of the 1970s helped to build visibility around lesbian filmmakers that completely transformed society’s imagination about queerness. “To be able to honor LGBTQ experiences in film with the directors, partners like NewFest and Queer Soup, and our audiences this June fills us with, pardon the pun, PRIDE,” proclaims Caryn.

Alice Wu’s directorial debut and beloved romance film Saving Face is presented on 35mm as Shayana Filmore leads an intimate conversation with the director after the film. Collaborating with NewFest, New York’s LGBTQ Film & Media Arts Organization, Nitehawk is thrilled to screen a rare 35mm print of a legendary film that depicts the vivacious romantic lives of African-American gay men while candidly exploring the universal aspects of friendship. The special screening requires the purchase of a $15 voucher as each audience member will receive a copy of the book, PRIDE: Fifty Years of Parades and Protests, courtesy of Abrams Books. “NewFest is delighted to be working with Nitehawk this June to celebrate our community on the momentous 50th anniversary of Stonewall, bringing contemporary queer cinema to Brooklyn to expand the visibility and reach of LGBTQ stories throughout New York City,” affirms Nick McCarthy, Director of Programming at NewFest, New York’s LGBTQ Film & Media Arts Organization.

The documentary DYKES, CAMERA, ACTION! screens at Nitehawk Williamsburg

Nitehawk Prospect Park is excited to present its first ever screening on 35mm with the cult-classic film But I’m A Cheerleader by Jamie Babbit. The award-winning director will participate in a Q&A after an introduction by drag performers Brie Y.O.B. and Maddelynn Hatter/MaDd. In partnership with Queer Soup Night, the Brooklyn born queer party with soup at its center, Chefs Jenn de la Vega, Blessing Schuman-Strange and Caroline McAuliffe serve up a fabulous selection of soups to raise funds for interACT: Advocates for Intersex Youth. Liz Alpern, Creator of QSN, expresses, “Hosting QSN at Nitehawk is a dream come true! We can’t wait to sip on soup surrounded by community while watching the setting sun over Prospect Park.” Donations for interACT will be collected by QSN, while tickets for the film screening portion are strongly encouraged to be purchased in advance.

In classic Nitehawk flair, a special Pride cocktail has been created so a portion of the proceeds raised during the month-long celebration will support local LGBTQ organizations. As WorldPride takes over New York City, Nitehawk Cinema is thrilled to elevate the global event with additional entertainment offerings to the estimated 4 million visitors expected to celebrate the historic and citywide festivities. Tickets are available at www.nitehawkcinema.com.

Full schedule includes:

Nitehawk Williamsburg

May 25 and 26 – RAFIKI
Jun 1 and 2 – DYKES, CAMERA, ACTION with Q&A with director Caroline Berler on June 1st
Jun 6 – SAVING FACE with Q&A with director Alice Wu; Hosted by Shayana Filmore (35mm presentation)
Jun 7 and 8 – A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 2: FREDDY’S REVENGE (35mm presentation)
Jun 8 – QUEER BRUNCH WITH NEWFEST and NITEHAWK (35mm presentation)

Nitehawk Prospect Park

Jun 5 – HIGH ART
Jun 6 – MIDNIGHT COWBOY
Jun 8 – BUT I’M A CHEERLEADER (35mm presentation)
Jun 9 – BUT I’M A CHEERLEADER with Queer Soup, Drag Show, and Q&A with director Jamie Babbit (35mm presentation)

Spring has sprung and the culinary team at Nitehawk Cinema, New York’s original dine-in theater, have crafted a new menu that will bloom appetites and ripen taste buds all season long. Nitehawk Williamsburg’s Executive Chef Michael Franey explains, “Our goal was to accentuate the freshness, brightness, and lightness that the changing of the season brings. The Spring menu features asparagus, peas, fava beans, radishes, and beets, combined with refreshing herbs like mint and tarragon.” Beginning Friday, April 19th, at both Nitehawk locations, the new selection continues in Nitehawk’s flair of introducing items with tantalizing flavors that compliment the dine-in theater experience and welcome the warmer weather with open arms.

“We purveyed an amazingly fresh burrata from Lioni Latticini in New Jersey, that showcases the delicious creaminess of mozzarella with a deep contrast in Calabrian chili, fava beans, and snap peas,” expresses Chef Franey. If the burrata doesn’t have you rolling out of your seat, then check out the Risotto Balls which are combined with fresh asparagus, diced piquillo peppers, minced chives, and pecorino cheese. Finally, who doesn’t love an everything bagel?! However, this New York City staple is prepared like a fritter. The “everything bagel” is folded with goat cheese, capers, red onions, and partnered with a whipped mousse made with crème fraîche and smoked salmon. With excitement Chef Franey proclaims, “The Everything Bagel Fritter has to be my favorite dish because it’s a perfect example of how we create a new menu and put the right amount of Nitehawk spin on classic items!”

Our chefs devised healthier alternatives for those looking to indulge in more mindful options while at the cinema. The Tri-Color Beet Salad is fun in the dark with vivid, herbaceous, and intensely colored red beets contrasted with thin slices of the candy cane beets, bright yellow beets, and tossed with a vegan tahini and za’atar dressing. Over at Nitehawk Prospect Park, moviegoers will experience Executive Chef Blessing Schuman-Strange’s twist on an avocado toast. Nitehawk’s version features nordic rye bread covered with smashed avocado in a white wine and basil marinated salad of baby heirloom tomatoes and shallots. “Although Avocado Toast is super simple, it emphasizes the way we transform dishes to be enjoyed in the dark while watching a movie,” declares Chef Blessing. Another exhilarating creation is the Tuna Niçoise Sandwich which takes all of the components of the french inspired salad and reimagines it into a decadent sandwich that offers a light and mouthwatering choice at Nitehawk Cinema this Spring.

Sweeten up any movie this spring by treating pallets to a tasty Nitehawk creation like the King’s Sundae, Boozy Cherries Jubilee Float or Chocolate Covered Strawberry Toast Tart. Blessing mentions, “I love how the toaster tart takes the nostalgia of a packaged childhood breakfast pastry and takes it to another level. One of my favorite parts of working for Nitehawk is the ways in which we playfully create our menu with dishes that are delicious but uniquely suited to our dine-in experience.”

Nitehawk’s Beverage Directors Nick Dodge and Rob Giles collaborated to elevate cocktail recipes and frozen drinks to showcase seasonal accents with bold fuisions. Rob states, “Springtime really gave us a chance to explore lighter and refreshing flavor combinations for our cocktail list. As the days become longer and hotter, we wanted to offer drinks with high acidity and flavors like pineapple or fresh cucumber to reflect the seasonal changes.” Nitehawk’s newest addition, Withnail and I, takes the format of a Pimm’s Cup and jazzes it up with juicy strawberries, spicy ginger syrup, and bourbon.

Another standout is Nitehawk’s seasonal Gin and Tonic series which is playfully named Kung Fu Hustle. The draught creation is a study on East-meets-West by using gin from Brooklyn based New York Distilling Company and a rice-based Soju for a subtle concoction. The house-made tonic uses classic citrus aromatics and gentian with a punch of flavor from lemongrass, kafir lime, and Thai basil. “The most dangerous part is how drinkable this cocktail is,” laughs Giles. Nick affirms, “We might have had a little too much fun working on the cocktail menu!”

The Beer menu gets a similar update as well, emphasising session-style Gose and thirst-quenching pilsners from local producers. “We are #blessed with how many excellent craft breweries are opening up in Brooklyn. It’s gotten to a point where an entire draft list can be as local as 30 miles or less,” says Giles. Dodge professes, “I’m excited about the amazing bar spaces at Nitehawk Prospect Park! Now that the weather is warming up, The Mezzanine is the perfect spot for park-goers to enjoy a drink once the sun goes down.“

Since popcorn is the undeniable part of any cinema experience, Nitehawk also introduces a vegan friendly Buffalo Wing Popcorn seasoned with Frank’s Red Hot and spiced with a home-made herb mix that replicates ranch dressing. Not typical dine-in movie theater, Nitehawk Cinema blossoms this season with a creative selection of food and drink items available at both Brooklyn locations. The lineup of new dishes and signature beverages includes:

SEASONAL POPCORN
Frank’s Red Hot, coconut oil, and vegan ranch powder

SPRING VEGETABLE HASH
Yellow and green squash, spring onion, fava beans, red bell pepper, over easy eggs, grilled baguette, and choice to add chorizo or smoked tofu

AVOCADO TOAST
Smashed avocados, baby heirloom tomatoes, marinated shallots, basil, olive oil, and nordic rye bread

RISOTTO BALLS
Asparagus, piquillo peppers, chives, pecorino, and lemon tarragon aioli

BURRATA
Snap peas, fava beans, calabrian chili, parsley, and sourdough croutons

EVERYTHING BAGEL FRITTER
Goat cheese, scallions, red onion, capers, and smoked salmon mousse

CHARRED SHISHITO PEPPERS
Lemon, sea salt, and espelette

TRI-COLOR BEET SALAD
Red, yellow, candy cane beets, mixed baby lettuces, and za’atar tahini dressing

SHRIMP TACOS
Mojo marinated shrimp, corn and chipotle slaw, salsa verde, and corn tortilla

QUINOA BOWL
Asparagus, snap peas, frisée, roasted red radish, French breakfast radish, herb vinaigrette, and choice of grilled chicken, smoked salmon or crispy tofu

TUNA NIÇOISE SANDWICH
Tuna, olive oil poached potatoes, lemon, niçoise olives, gribiche aioli, tomato conserva, frisée, ciabatta roll with hand cut fries or salad

THE KING’S SUNDAE
Vanilla soft serve, chocolate cookie pieces, peanut bacon praline, banana dulce de leche, and whipped cream

BOOZY CHERRIES JUBILEE FLOAT
Black cherry soft serve, brandy, and cream soda

CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRY TOASTER TART
Macerated fresh strawberries, pie crust, and chocolate royal icing

BLOW-UP APEROL SPRITZ
Aperol, Da Mar Prosecco, Scrappy’s Lavender Bitters, vanilla, soda, lemon

CARRIE BRADSHAW
Vodka, Clear Creek Cranberry Liqueur, lime cordial, Combier Liqueur d’Orange, lime and tiki bitters

COOL RUNNINGS (FROZEN)
Rhum J.M. Gold, Cynar, St. Germain, cardamom-star anise syrup, pineapple, lime, Angostura

KUNG FU HUSTLE GIN AND TONIC
Perry’s Tot Navy Strength Gin, Tokki Soju Black, lemongrass-kaffir lime tonic syrup, Thai basil

LOS TRES CABALLEROS JUNGLE BIRD
Cruzan Blackstrap Rum, Plantation Pineapple Rum, Campari, pineapple syrup, lime

WITHNAIL AND I
Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon, Pimm’s No. 1, mint, lemon, strawberries, cucumber bitters

Interview by Caryn Coleman, Director of Programming/Special Projects at Nitehawk Cinema

I am of the belief that there’s never been a bad time for horror films, particularly if you’ve known where to look. But there is certainly a moment happening where filmmakers are creating works that relate to audiences more immediately than ever before. Perhaps it’s that horror is becoming increasingly inclusive, offering us more diverse perspectives on the world around us. Or maybe the idea of a genre filmmaking is more fully embraced by a new generation of independent filmmakers. Whatever way in which we can think about it, there’s no mistaking that we live in a time when we are getting really fucking good and unique horror stories.

Films like Emma Tammi’s The Wind are a part of this genre revolution. It’s expansive and isolating; shot like a true-blue western, The Wind tells the tale of “prairie madness” in the 19th century midwest as it tackles the frontier, demons, gender roles, and the ever-maddening howl of the wind. It’s beautiful, it’s haunting, it’s the real deal.

I’m thrilled that Tammi took the time to answer some of my questions about her debut narrative film. Take a read and then be sure to see it in the cinema (as it should be seen) at Nitehawk Williamsburg this week.

Caryn Coleman: I’d love to start off by asking how you connected with The Wind’s writer Tessa Sutherland to develop her short film, based on such a fascinating aspect the western frontier in the 19th century, into a feature?

Emma Tammi: We connected through one of the film’s producers, Chris Alender (Soapbox Films). He and Teresa are both Florida State University alums, and he had seen her short film several years ago and encouraged her to develop it into a feature script. Soapbox Films had come on to help with post-production for a documentary (Fair Chase) that I co-directed a while back, and they thought of me as a potential director for The Wind. Teresa and I met, and hit it off. We shared a vision for what the film could be, and really enjoyed the process of refining the script together. I hope to continue collaborating with her on other projects for many years to come.

CC: Can you talk a little bit about how you approached marrying elements of the western genre with the horror genre exploring themes inherent to both like isolation, madness, and the female experience?

ET: At its core, this film is a psychological thriller. The framework is a western, and the brutality of our characters’ daily lives pushes us into the horror space throughout the film (sometimes even heightened by the supernatural). This is all to say, we were dealing with an incredibly fun mash up of genres! But the theme of isolation and the specifically female POV of our protagonist (Lizzy) was the guiding compass that held all these elements together. As long as the creative choices supported Lizzy’s journey and internal struggles – which often manifest externally, as well – the blending of genres worked to strengthen the whole.

CC: The Wind, much like Robert Eggers’ The Witch, visualizes stories from American folklore that involve conquering land, religion, and the effects of solitude. And it does so in a way that centers around the relationship between a woman and nature (and makes the audience question as to whether or not what’s happening to these women is real or imagined). What is it about this sort of historical storytelling that interested you?

ET: When writing this script, Teresa had been inspired by actual historical accounts of women homesteading at the end of the 19th Century. I loved that this story drew upon a folkloric element of American history – the belief that women used to go mad on the plains because of the incessant wind – and then jumped off the deep end, into a totally new realm. One of the books Teresa used for research (“Pioneer Women”) was coincidentally a book I had picked up as a teenager, after visiting the west (Wyoming) for the first time in my life. I also visited the location of the classic western film Shane on that trip, which was awe inspiring. On multiple levels, The Wind was tapping into things that had captured my imagination growing up – only this time, with a much darker lens! But the most surprising and compelling element of the story was that it also felt incredibly relatable today. Lizzy’s emotional arc resonates in 2019, and I think that is the most exciting kind of historical storytelling – when it taps into the now.

CC: How did you work with your cinematographer, Lyn Moncrief, to develop the visual language of this film?

ET: During pre-production, Lyn and I were referencing a bunch of different films (as well as paintings, photos, etc.) to develop the visual language of this film. We decided to shoot with anamorphic lenses, to convey the vastness of the landscape and also capture a lot of empty space within the frame for our characters to interact with – often times increasing the sense of solitude and isolation, which ultimately escalates to fright. Once we got to our locations in New Mexico, our shot lists changed daily. We were continually trying to find ways to film the same cabins in new and interesting ways, and help emphasize the emotional and psychological states of the characters within each scene.

CC: And lastly, the cast. Caitlin Gerard is a revelation! Can you tell us how she got involved with the project and how you incorporated speaking German into her character?

ET: She is a revelation! Caitlin was one of the last actors who auditioned for this role, and we cast her within an hour. She brought huge range to this role, upon which the whole film hangs, and grit. I don’t think the character of Lizzy would’ve worked without either of those things, and she nailed it. We had a last minute table read of the script in LA before heading to New Mexico to start filming, and in a side-bar conversation, Caitlin mentioned that her mom’s side of the family is German and that she spoke the language fluently. Teresa and I had previously discussed incorporating an immigrant background (very common at the time) to the character of Lizzy, adding another layer to her struggle with this inhospitable land. Caitlin presented the perfect opportunity to develop that idea, so we tweaked the script at the eleventh hour to incorporate that element.

Nitehawk Cinema, New York’s original curator of dinner and a movie, launches private event rentals at its new Prospect Park theater which showcases breathtaking views of Brookyln’s flagship park.

“We are now offering customizable, private events at Nitehawk Prospect Park. We have had huge success with these at Nitehawk Williamsburg, from world premieres, corporate outings, birthday parties to weddings and proposals. We have a dedicated events team that handles all the details in putting these together, and we’re excited to offer these memorable experiences at Prospect Park.” states Deanna Nokes, Event Director at Nitehawk.

Nitehawk Prospect Park features seven state-of-the-art screens, hosts two bars and is a Brooklyn landmark with design elements that date back to 1928. Once known as the Sanders Theatre, the 650 seat cinema is located in the historic and completely redesigned Pavilion Theater. Situated on Bartel-Pritchard Square, the theater is easily accessible by public transport and the restored mezzanine is the perfect place to celebrate a birthday, happy hour or professional function.

The catering menu, which utilizes locally-sourced ingredients, features a delectable selection of platters including Grandma’s Meatballs, Jerk Chicken Dumplings, and Chorizo Patata Brava Taquitos. A queso fountain is also available that comes flowing with Nitehawk’s staple tater tots, chips, a toppings bar, and a dedicated chef. The beverage choices include signature cocktails, local beers, and specialty drinks that may be crafted to thematically align with a special event hosted at the cinema.

Nitehawk Prospect Park theaters vary in size from 48 to 194 seats and are available Mondays through Thursdays for screenings, birthday parties, graduations, and corporate meetings. Rental prices vary based on the specifics of the event and can be personalized to create an ideal way to commend any occasion. If you wish to book a private event at Nitehawk Prospect Park, please email events@nitehawkcinema.com.

On Wednesday, February 13th, Win (formerly Women in Need) and Nitehawk Williamsburg will be the first in New York to screen a new 35mm print of Sean Baker’s The Florida Project to increase public awareness and build momentum around Win’s mission to help support homeless women and children.

The Florida Project stars Academy Award nominee Willem Dafoe and follows a precocious six-year-old and her ragtag group of friends whose summer break is filled with childhood wonder, possibility and a sense of adventure while the adults around them struggle with hard times. $7 of each movie ticket sold will benefit Win. In addition, Nitehawk will be offering a specialty cocktail during the screening and $1 from each drink sold will go directly to the organization.

The event will begin with a short film and introduction by Chris Valens, Director of Special Events at Win. “Women and children in need make up more than 70 percent of New York City’s homeless, and we’re grateful for Nitehawk Cinema’s support to help Win break the cycle of homelessness and put families on the path to stability,” said Christine C. Quinn, President and CEO of Win. “The proceeds from this benefit screening will help further our efforts to provide the solutions and services needed to support this vulnerable population.”

Caryn Coleman, Director of Programming at Nitehawk states, “We’re thrilled to be one of the first theaters to screen a brand new 35mm print of Sean Baker’s The Florida Project, one of the best films in recent memory, the way it was intended. More crucially, the issues of hidden homelessness and the impact on single-parent families explored in the film provides a perfect opportunity to partner with Win in order to highlight and support the important work that Win does within the New York community.”

The need to expand social services for homeless children and women is a dire one. Nitehawk Cinema is beyond humbled to support Win in helping decrease the number of homeless families in New York City’s shelter system and will continue to advocate for important community issues surrounding homelessness.

There’s so much to toast in the month of February: We’re one month closer to spring; The Big Game; The Oscars; and the sweetest day of them all, Valentine’s Day. We all deserve a great love story and whether you’re in Williamsburg or Prospect Park, Nitehawk has a selection of heart beating titles to celebrate.

One could expect that GROUNDHOG DAY would be an exercise in tedium. Fortunately, we can all thank the comedic god, Bill Murray for getting us through. This film is a hilarious joy ride through the peaks and valleys of life. Even the greatest days are best lived only once.

Playing at both Nitehawk Cinema Williamsburg and Prospect Park.
Feb 2nd and 3rd – GROUNDHOG DAY (Brunch)

LOVE IS LOVE: This weekend, Nitehawk Williamsburg ignites its LOVE IS LOVE series with PARIAH, the intimate debut feature by Dee Rees, set in Brooklyn, that explores a teenage girl’s queer identity. Love can manifest in many ways and our midnite section takes an appropriately bizarre turn that dark lovers will adore with THE WILD BOYS. This program will lift spirits and expose the unavoidable power of the heart. Love isn’t always easy but it’s almost always worth it.

Feb 1 and 2 – THE WILD BOYS (Midnite)
Feb 2 and 3 – PARIAH (Brunch)

LOVE IS LOVE will continue all month long at Nitehawk Williamsburg with:
Feb 8 and 9 – CRASH (Midnite)
Feb 9 and 10 – NOTTING HILL (Brunch)
Feb 12 – BEFORE SUNRISE (Film Feast)
Feb 15 – SEVEN CHANCES (Live Cinema Sound)
Feb 15 and 16 –  ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE (Midnite)
Feb 16 and 17 – LOVE, SIMON (Brunch)
Feb 22 and 23 – BOUND (Midnite)
Feb 23 and 24 – LOVE & BASKETBALL (Brunch)

CASABLANCA: A landmark film in a landmark theater! Nitehawk Prospect Park welcomes one of the most revered films of all time, CASABLANCA. Starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman in a love triangle in the city of Casablanca. Grab your loved one and celebrate Valentine’s Day with this classic at Nitehawk Prospect Park.

Feb 14th – CASABLANCA (7:00PM)