Nonprofit arts organizations Vidiots and KCRW hosted an advance screening of the newly released film “Speak No Evil” Sept. 9 at The Eagle Theater.
“Speak No Evil” is a psychological horror movie about an American family invited to spend the weekend at the English-countryside estate of a British family they met on vacation. Starring BAFTA-winning actor James McAvoy, the film is an English-language remake of the 2022 Dutch-Danish film of the same name.
Doors for the event opened at 6:30 p.m., and guests were admitted into the theater on a first-come basis.
Vidiots regular Kevin Bourque said he comes to these screenings frequently and was excited to see “Speak No Evil” with a friend.
“It was much better than I was expecting,” Bourque said. “I was expecting something standard, but it felt like in the third act they really did some fun stuff.”
Ella Jackson (sophomore) said that she was drawn to the event because it was free.
“The movie trailer did not look good, but James McAvoy was in it, and I like him a lot. My expectations were pretty low,” Jackson said.
Jackson said that the film was surprising and that she could not stop thinking about it later in the week.
“This movie feels like it’s pushing the idea of what is acceptable, what is explainable and what is convenient,” Jackson said. “Just watching the families try to explain away these weird behaviors explores this idea of hospitality and being grateful. When does gratitude end when people are being weird?”
“Speak No Evil” is one of many event collaborations between KCRW and Vidiots. In the past, the two have hosted screenings of “American Fiction,” “Dìdi (弟弟)” and “The Holdovers.” Most recently, they partnered to host a screening of the upcoming Netflix film “Rez Ball.”
According to Vidiots Executive Director Maggie Mackay, the organization’s partnership with KCRW began last year, prior to their reopening in Eagle Rock.
“This came together because we’re a perfect fit,” Mackay said. “Our joint communities are so smart and devoted to cinema that it’s a perfect opportunity to get these films talked about before their releases. They really do act as impactful, word-of-mouth tastemakers.”
KCRW is a public radio station headquartered at Santa Monica College and a National Public Radio (NPR) member. Mia Fernandez, head of sponsorship at KCRW, said they regularly partner with film studios and networks to promote new films at and before widespread release.
“It’s really great to partner with another nonprofit that is doing great things in the community and connect them with our studio partners,” Fernandez said. “[Universal] rent[s] out the place for this type of private screening, and KCRW invites our audience. It’s a great collaboration between the three of us.”
Mackay said that partnerships between arts organizations like KCRW and Vidiots are rare ways to show support for new works from both established and emerging filmmakers. According to MacKay, it has been more difficult to reach audiences coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“With so many theaters closed and so many films not getting long theatrical releases, this is an excellent way for both audiences and filmmakers to get that experience,” Mackay said. “It’s unparalleled. You can watch a movie in a theater with an audience, big and loud in the way it’s supposed to be presented.”
“Speak No Evil” was officially released in the United States and Canada on Friday, Sept. 13.
Contact Wura Ogunnaike at ogunnaike@oxy.edu
