Athens is home to plenty of great local businesses. If you live in Athens or frequent the small businesses that call it home, the sense of community is almost palpable. And one of the local favorites—and longest running—is the Athena Cinema. Established over 100 years ago in 1915, it’s arguably one of the nicest art house theaters in southeastern Ohio.
They play a myriad of independent films and host special events at the theater. One of their event series, From the Hills and Hollers, focuses on films that explore and offer insight into life in Appalachia. The latest in the series is Feast of the Seven Fishes, a winter holiday film set in a rustbelt town in 1983.
Featuring talented names like Skyler Gisondo (Santa Clarita Diet, The Righteous Gemstones, & Booksmart), Madison Iseman (Knights of the Zodiac, I Know What You Did Last Summer, & Annabelle Comes Home), and Joe Pantoliano of The Sopranos and Hollywood fame, the film screens on November 14th.
How Does the Story Fit in with the Series?
At first glance, a mostly feel-good holiday film might not seem like it would fit in with other contemporary films about Appalachia. But it does a great job at tackling important topics in Appalachian culture like family, faith, and values. The story follows Skyler Gisondo’s character, Tony, who is on holiday break from the local community college. He studies business, and his parents want him to take over the family grocery store. But Tony has other ambitions. He soon meets Beth, played by Madison Iseman, and begins hanging out with her. While it seems innocuous enough, Beth is Protestant, and Tony’s family consists of strict Catholics. Anyone familiar with the two religions knows that they don’t always mesh, and of course, hilarity ensues.
Feast of the Seven Fishes is a comedic film about lighthearted romance, finding your own way in life, and the importance of family. The film is directed by Robert Tinnell and is actually based upon a graphic novel of Tinnell’s by the same name. Plus, being set in the year 1983, the film has that grainy quality to the cinematography that is wildly popular these days and emulates a sort of “days gone by” feel to it.
Once the film concludes, the Athena Cinema will bring out Josh Brooks, one of the actors in the film, to speak about the movie and how it depicts Appalachian community and family. If this sounds like a good film, be sure to get tickets before they run out. The film is only showing on November 14th at 7pm in one theater, so seating is limited.