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That phrase is often used by Josh Brewer and the rest of the organizers of Cicada Cinema. This organization hosts pop-up movie screenings in Bloomington, focusing on underrepresented, underseen or underscreened films in the college town.
However, next month, Cicada Cinema is partnering with the city of Bloomington and one of the city’s most iconic venues to bring a one-of-a-kind screening experience to the city, combining a 1980s Slovakian gothic-horror film with a live performance of a reimagined score by an acclaimed experimental musician and composer.
“The Bloody Lady,” an animated adaptation of Elizabeth Báthory’s folk tale often cited as the inspiration for “Dracula,” will screen at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, located at 114 E Kirkwood Ave. in Bloomington at 7 p.m. on Sept. 10. The cult classic will be accompanied by a live score by Claire Rousay, a Los Angeles-based musician.
Rousay released her reimagined score for the 1981 film in November 2024. According to Rousay’s Bandcamp page, the compositions, like the film, are “whimsical, with subtle hints of looming menace.” Rousay crafted the score, using piano, pitched-down violin, field recordings and granular VST synths, over the course of 2023.
According to previous reports, this screening was funded in part by a grant from the Bloomington Arts Commission. More than $60,000 in Arts Project grants were distributed in June for specific events.
Cicada Cinema first started in October 2016 in a Bloomington warehouse space. Through the years, the organization has developed into a pop-up cinema, partnering with the city, along with local businesses and galleries, to host screenings.
Brewer said that he had seen “The Bloody Lady” advertised through a film distributor that Cicada Cinema had worked with previously. At first glance, he thought the film was “really striking,” and saw that it offered a rare opportunity for the screening.
“I had been a fan of the musician Claire Rousay for a couple of years, and down in the (film’s) description, it said that… she had recently done a live score,” Brewer said. “…(“The Bloody Lady”) was remastered, and it had been rereleased. Honestly, it’s pretty obscure – it’s a Slovak animation (film)… Probably not many people have even heard about it. When we saw that… we thought it would have an audience.”
Brewer then brought it to the volunteers with the organization, who agreed that it was a good fit for Cicada Cinema. The city’s arts project grant helped the process along, providing funds to bring Rousay to Bloomington.
Holly Warren, the city’s staff liaison to the Bloomington Arts Commission, said that this stood out to the commission based on the opportunity for the live score, something that ultimately exposes attendees to something new.
However, as they reviewed the grant application, Warren said that there was concern surrounding the venue, stressing the importance of the right venue needing to host this performance.
That was a hurdle for Cicada Cinema as well, Brewer said, needing a place with quality sound, but big enough to host a significant crowd.
“We had initially looked at some of the other larger venues that we pop up, places like the Blockhouse and Upland Brewery,” he said. “But just because of the quiet, ambient nature of the soundtrack, we really wanted quality sound. So, we reached out to the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, and they were really eager to work with us.”
Steve Versaw, the executive director of the theater, said that the 103-year-old performing arts center had all the elements for this particular performance, including a quality sound system, a large screen set up and a baby grand piano.
Versaw said he is proud that this event will be a part of the history of the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, which goes back to people playing organ for silent films.
While this film is more avant-garde and forward-thinking than some of the events the theater has hosted, Versaw said that Cicada Cinema has “a deep understanding of film” and that he has “a lot of trust in their decisions.”
“There needs to be spaces for this kind of music and this kind of work,” Versaw said. “Improvisation is a really amazing aspect of this music that people can come and witness.”
Brewer hopes that this screening brings together music fans, film fans, animation fans and everyone in between.
“I would hope there are both people who would be interested in the music side of it and those who would be interested in the film itself. That might bring people together,” Brewer said. “Also, a core part of what we’ve long done is partnerships. Partnering with the Buskirk-Chumley – they have an audience, we have an audience. Hopefully, together, we have a pretty strong belief and holistic way to program in Bloomington by working together.”
Bloomington as an arts community
Brewer sees Bloomington’s art system as an “ecosystem,” including the various arts organizations and businesses that help support them. This ecosystem has created a camaraderie instead of a feeling of competition, he said, emphasizing that “all ships rise together.”
“I really think it’s an ethos, looking at the whole scene, looking at the ecosystem – the different restaurants, businesses, the employees, the workers, the art itself,” he said. “Hopefully, thinking about it less than just yourself and your own organization, getting credit that way, but looking at it as a whole. What are we bringing to town that is artistically interesting that people will talk about, that will get them thinking, that will open their mind to new, interesting ideas and art. Hopefully, we can do that by working together.”
The collaboration has helped put Bloomington on the map in the arts scene. Versaw said that the Buskirk-Chumley Theater wouldn’t be a prominent part of that ecosystem without the help of others.
“I just have an empty vessel of a theater that is created by whatever artwork is brought in here,” he said. “We rely on our artistic partners and people who are doing cool things in town to bring it here to showcase it or introduce us to it. So, there is a special thing going on in Bloomington for sure. That’s what I love about it.”
Warren believes the work that organizations like Cicada Cinema and venues like the Buskirk-Chumley Theater are doing shows the “power and robustness” of the city’s arts community. Year by year, she said, it’s something that continues to evolve and gets stronger.
“I think you cannot separate Bloomington from art,” Warren said. “I don’t think Bloomington is Bloomington without art. It’s part of our fabric. It’s part of our culture.”
Even though “The Bloody Lady” is featured through the Kanopy streaming service or through the Internet Archive for home viewing, Brewer believes that this particular live screening in Bloomington is an opportunity for attendees to be immersed in this film in a unique and special way.
“It’s worth it if you take the risk,” Brewer said.
The Technicolor Band, a Bloomington-based improvisational band, will open the event on Sept. 10. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.
The Bloomington Arts Commission hosts three grant cycles each year for Bloomington artists, including funds for projects and operations. For more information, click here.
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