The films “Brigsby Bear” and “City of Ghosts” open Sept. 1 at Nebraska’s Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center.
Super fan James is obsessed with a goofy kids’ show to the point of religiosity in “Brigsby Bear.”. A young adult, who is still living at home, James has grown up with this fantasy series and the program has grown with him — getting more complex over the years. But to say James’ intensely protective parents have kept their son a bit sheltered is an understatement.
One dramatic night, James’ insular world is upended. Through the disorienting but hilarious transition to a new life, Brigsby remains James’ security blanket. Upon learning the series has been cancelled, he adopts the old adage that the show must go on.
Family members and authority figures fret over James’ fixation, but by becoming Brigsby Bear’s new creator instead of just a viewer in the dark, he finally accesses all the meaningful connections his life has lacked. By telling his story, James repairs it.
“Brigsby Bear,” which plays through Sept. 14, is rated PG-13.
“City of Ghosts” takes a hard-hitting look at atrocities in a part of the world that may seem foreign to many viewers.
Captivating in its immediacy, “City of Ghosts” is a documentary that follows the journey of “Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently.” The group includes a handful of anonymous activists who banded together after their homeland was taken over by ISIS in 2014. With astonishing, deeply personal access, this is the story of a brave group of citizen journalists as they face the realities of life undercover, on the run, and in exile, risking their lives to stand up against one of the greatest evils in the world today.
The documentary is directed, produced and filmed by Academy Award-nominated and Emmy-winning filmmaker Matthew Heineman.
“City of Ghosts,” which is showing through Sept. 7, is rated R.
For more information on films showing at the Ross, including show times, click here or call 402-472-5353.
