The Baltimorons Charm North Fork Audience
Photos by Rob Lehmann, NFAC Photographer
On September 20, the North Fork Arts Center brought a special piece of independent cinema to Greenport with a screening of The Baltimorons, the feel-good film that captured hearts at SXSW earlier in the year.
Director Jay Duplass and IFC Films' heartfelt comedy tells the story of an unlikely Christmas Eve connection in Baltimore. When a newly sober former improv comic (Michael Strassner) rushes to his dentist for an emergency visit, what begins as an awkward holiday mishap transforms into something unexpected. Together with his dentist (Liz Larsen), they wander through the city discovering humor, vulnerability, and the spark of an unlikely romance. Critics have praised the film as "an absolute side-tickling and soul-enriching delight" (Mashable) and "a beautiful film" (RogerEbert.com), and our community clearly agreed.
The evening began with a pre-show wine and cheese reception hosted by Sapan Studio, giving patrons a chance to connect before the film. Following the screening, stars Michael Strassner and Liz Larsen joined us for an intimate Q&A moderated by Josh Sapan. This is where the evening really came alive. Audiences learned the backstory behind the film's unique title and heard about the actors' personal journeys in bringing this independent production to life. As one patron put it, hearing from the actors "up close and personal, of the chances they took to be in this INDIE movie, so unlike being in a conventional Hollywood production" made the night memorable.
The post-screening conversation clearly resonated. Many attendees said that learning about the background of the actors made the film even better, and the Q&A revealed the personal risks and creative choices that go into independent filmmaking.
Several patrons appreciated how the event fostered community. The reception created opportunities for neighbors to gather and share their love of independent film, reinforcing NFAC's role as a cultural hub for the North Fork. One attendee captured it perfectly: "Feeling connected to the arts and in community."
The film itself proved well-suited to our area. In these challenging times, audiences found it "delightful, uplifting," and as one patron noted, it's wonderful "to have independent films and artists celebrated in the North Fork."
We're grateful to everyone who joined us for this special evening and to Michael Strassner and Liz Larsen for sharing their time and insights with our community. Events like these remind us why independent cinema matters and why gathering together to experience art is so important.