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Our movie and media Calendar appears every Friday\/Saturday on <\/em>C-U Blogfidential<\/span><\/strong> and caters to the downstate region anchored by Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, USA.<\/em><\/p>\n ~~~~~<\/p>\n FIELD REPORT DU HQ | From Wherever It May Be Said<\/strong><\/p>\n Before you pass the dishes and offer your thanks next week, should you participate in festivities with your family members or at a friendsgiving, we\u2019re bringing over a few topical treats from MFHQ<\/strong> Deux<\/strong> to share with our dearest gobblers who can\u2019t get enough of the movies of Champaign, Urbana<\/strong>, and the cites beyond!<\/p>\n For our lede in today\u2019s Report<\/strong>, we\u2019re high-fiving from afar the stewards of Flyover Film Studios<\/strong> in Rantoul<\/strong>, ever-growing with their accomplishments and influence in the area. Always up to the task of breaking local media-maker news, Amy Penne<\/strong> of Smile Politely<\/span><\/strong> shared a concise history of how Flyover came together as pretext to their latest milestone<\/a><\/span>, being awarded \u201cBusiness of the Year\u201d<\/a><\/span> last week by the Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce<\/strong>. Who knows what their activity up north on the grounds of the former Octave Chanute Air Force Base<\/strong> has actually translated to numerically in terms of business for themselves, tax revenue for Rantoul and the county, a spending influx at other local businesses by their own staff and visiting clients, and freelance and full-time jobs created to aid the production of movies, television, and commercials at the facility and on location nearby, but hopefully it adds up to sustainability and growth in the years to come. Flyover clearly is encouraging the development of a trained work force based here as well as a connection between folks who offer services and resources that lend themselves to production, so we need to watch for those overtures; to wit, they are hosting an instructional session<\/a><\/span> this Saturday, November 22<\/strong>, from 9 a.m.<\/strong> to 1 p.m.<\/strong> where participants will get a taste of what roles in different departments can entail, and they also have a combination holiday gathering, swap meet, and live auction event<\/a><\/span> on tap for Saturday, December 6<\/strong>, from 12<\/strong> to 6 p.m.<\/strong> Go inquire, and with good cheer!<\/p>\n Can we relate \u201cthe Flyover effect\u201d to various recent goings-on in the movie world du C-U? Maybe! The most obvious is in cases like the independent feature MOSES THE BLACK<\/strong>, filmed partly in Chicagoland and partly in Rantoul and adjacent municipalities, which is currently in post-production after wrapping in late September at Flyover. Surprisingly, the trade website Deadline<\/span><\/strong> reported on Wednesday<\/a><\/span> that Fathom Entertainment<\/strong> has already negotiated theatrical rights for the piece, an urban gang drama with religious and repentance leanings that stars Omar Epps, Wiz Khalifa<\/strong>, and Chukwudi Iwuji<\/strong> and is directed by Yelena Popovic<\/strong> (MAN OF GOD<\/strong>), and will release it to its network of partner theaters in North America<\/strong> on Friday, January 30<\/strong>. It\u2019s possible to get it shaped up in time, we suppose. Unlike with all the candids floating about the socials earlier this year, taken by area townsfolk with the cast and locations of the John Goodman<\/strong> fast-food satire CHILI FINGER<\/strong>, very little has appeared to give us a covert look at MOSES<\/strong>.<\/p>\n ~~~~~<\/p>\n ~~~~~<\/p>\n Clues on the development of projects can also be gleaned from those on the inside who elect to share their doings with the outside world in the moment. Our friend Niccole Powers<\/strong>, who now applies her stage-honed art and costume design talents to the film sets at Flyover and elsewhere, shared a few behind-the-scenes photos from a show called OPEN ME UP<\/strong>. A slate shows the director is Andrew Laudone<\/strong><\/a><\/span>, the Chicago<\/strong>-based owner of Consumer Grade Film Company<\/strong><\/a><\/span> and a creator of distinctly designed long-form shorts that have played in festivals such as the dark high-society farce CAPTAINS OF INDUSTRY<\/strong> and the science fiction-tinged dramas DEEP LEARNING<\/strong> and SWEET DREAMING<\/strong>. It looks like Powers may have been on a pick-up shoot in October, for we see that frequent C-U film collaborator Kevin Lau<\/strong> had previously reported from the set via Facebook<\/strong> back in July. The result should be interesting, as always.<\/p>\n And, for one more trimming in our banquet of regional film flavor, we turn to our friend John Isberg<\/strong> of Swede Films<\/strong> who is using an apparent low tide in the schedules for his features BIG MUDDY<\/strong> and FINAL SUMMER 2<\/strong> to revise and finish a different project. Isberg has recently been sharing some cool vintage photographs on Facebook<\/a><\/span> and Instagram<\/strong> from indie rock shows and venues of Champaign-Urbana\u2019s past<\/a><\/span> and asking for more contributions like them to put towards his scene documentary, WHERE IT BEGINS: 1977-2000<\/strong>, which we first mentioned on CUBlog<\/span><\/strong> almost a full decade ago<\/a><\/span>. Considering the art of succinctly telling an expansive story of stories in a feature film run time and doing it as an independent creator unlike, say, a well-funded Ken Burns<\/strong>, we have to understand the labor-of-love aspect in Isberg\u2019s endeavor and applaud that he\u2019s still committed to the cause while making bread elsewhere and taking care of his family and friends. He just finished working on the crew of MOSES THE BLACK<\/strong>, for instance, so let\u2019s encourage him to roll past the finish line of WHERE IT BEGINS<\/strong> and help along where we can, including the lending of precious ephemera and memories<\/a><\/span> to a C-U music epic writ large. We should also acknowledge that Isberg\u2019s foresight helped point the path forward for Flyover, in particular this blue-hued music video<\/a><\/span> for the Night Dreamer<\/strong> song \u201cThe Taste<\/strong>\u201d staged in a vacant Octave Chanute hanger. Fin<\/em>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n IMAGERY DU C-U | Picturing Our Scene on the Screen<\/strong><\/p>\n ~~~~~<\/p>\n Our previous \u201cImages of the Week<\/strong>\u201d touched on a pair of locally-made narrative shorts, MARA<\/strong> and THE FAWN<\/strong>, which took slippery routes around a traditional structure and utilized cinematic technique to envelop their respective protagonists with an unknowable dread. The focus today will send us in a rather different direction. GOLDEN MEADOW<\/strong>, a new music video for the performer Jill Greenlee<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, is full of warmth, spitfire, and cautious wonder as it cushions the viewer in a loving amber embrace. Matched with an original song by Greenlee that was derived from a story she used to read to her children at bedtime, including daughter Leila<\/strong> who is her co-star here, GOLDEN MEADOW<\/strong> was conceived by \u201cThe Sarahs\u201d<\/a><\/span> \u2013 filmmaker\/casting director Sarah Cayce<\/strong> and producer\/Flyover Film Studios co-founder Sarah Sharp<\/strong> \u2013 and received the splashiest debut of all the locally-tied film projects that were set free on October 17-19<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Seemingly filmed just yesterday (well, September) on lush private property in Champaign County<\/strong>, the concept put into words is straightforward and doesn\u2019t do justice to something we\u2019re meant to feel in our hearts and bones. Greenlee alternately plays her piano in the middle of a meadow and goes exploring on foot with Leila as the song builds to a powerful crescendo, enabled by an equally lush background arrangement put together by Greenlee\u2019s studio engineer, Eric \u201cDubz\u201d Gross<\/strong>, in its rapturous pledge of protection and understanding. Illuminated by a hazy sun, the Golden Meadow is a nurturing safe space that gives and dares not forget. A project of Cayce\u2019s Chicago<\/strong>-based company, PWM Films<\/strong>, GOLDEN MEADOW<\/strong> is simply lovely with a clear vision to showcase its central \u201crockstar,\u201d as the director refers to Greenlee. Short videos posted to YouTube<\/strong> take us through the process<\/a><\/span> of developing and executing this piece, funded by avid fans of the charismatic musician who is a regular presence on the stages of C-U.<\/p>\n ~~~~~<\/p>\n ~~~~~<\/p>\n According to The Sarahs, making a music video that showcased Greenlee came to mind after they saw her perform \u201cGolden Meadow<\/strong>\u201d solo at a gig, quieting the house with its sheer might. Coming full circle, GOLDEN MEADOW<\/strong> was given a nice launch by the duo, starting with a private premiere in downtown Champaign<\/strong> at Kayla Brown<\/strong>\u2019s boutique candle store, Fire Doll Studio<\/strong>, on Wednesday, October 15<\/strong>, and followed by big-screen showings before the main features at the Harvest Moon Twin Drive-in<\/strong> of Gibson City<\/strong> the next two nights and its concurrent debut on YouTube, where it has resonated and received more than two thousand views as of this writing. Greenlee is offering the song on Bandcamp<\/strong><\/a><\/span> and apparently has more new recorded music on the way. We\u2019d like to think a future collaboration between these women and their team is a given, so be sure to follow Greenlee\u2019s Instagram<\/strong><\/a><\/span> and Facebook<\/strong><\/a><\/span> for developments.<\/p>\n GOLDEN MEADOW<\/strong> is directed by Sarah Cayce, produced by Sarah Sharp, and photographed by Robert Patrick Stern<\/strong>, while Chris \u201cScuba\u201d Parker<\/strong> served as underwater camera operator. Bekah Douglas<\/strong> was production coordinator and costume design flourished under Halley Claudio<\/strong>. Brian Nowak<\/strong> handled the editing. Francis Claudio<\/strong> was first assistant camera and Kal Kociss<\/strong> was second assistant camera. Connor Vyce, Rick Wojnar<\/strong>, and Gavin Schroeder<\/strong> filled the roles of gaffer, key grip, and grip, respectively. It stars Leila and Jill Greenlee. 2025, color, 5 minutes.<\/p>\n ~~~~~<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n LOCAL FILMS & EVENTS | Support Your Media Storytellers<\/strong><\/p>\n @ Lincoln Hall, UIUC, Urbana, IL<\/strong> @ Phoenix Savoy 16 + IMAX, Savoy, IL<\/strong> \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n NOW PLAYING | Champaign-Urbana Area<\/strong><\/p>\n @ AMC Champaign 13, Champaign, IL<\/strong> @ Phoenix Savoy 16 + IMAX, Savoy, IL<\/strong> @ Pine Lounge, 1st floor, Illini Union, UIUC, Urbana, IL<\/strong> Events featuring locally produced movies are marked with an asterisk (*). Additional \u201cNow Playing\u201d and \u201cComing Soon\u201d listings appear after the jump!<\/em><\/p>\n ~~~~~<\/p>\n <\/p>\n NOW PLAYING | The Cities Beyond<\/strong><\/p>\n @ The Fischer Theatre, Danville, IL<\/strong> @ Golden Ticket Cinemas Ale House, Bloomington, IL<\/strong> BACK OPEN! @ The Harvest Moon Twin Drive-in, Gibson City, IL<\/strong> @ The Lorraine Theatre, Hoopeston, IL<\/strong> @ The Normal Theater, Normal, IL<\/strong> @ The Onarga Theatre, Onarga, IL<\/strong> @ Peoria Riverfront Museum, Peoria, IL<\/strong> @ The Princess Theatre, Leroy, IL<\/strong> \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n NOW PLAYING | Midwest<\/strong><\/p>\n @ Chicago Filmmakers Firehouse Cinema, Chicago, IL<\/strong> For detailed and curated listings of Chicago-area film presentations and related events, please visit the fine folks at<\/em> Cine-File<\/strong> and subscribe to their definitive \u201cCine-List\u201d weekly blast<\/a><\/span>. And for northern Illinois industry news, be sure to read<\/em> Reel Chicago<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/span>,<\/em> Screen Magazine<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/span>, and the <\/em>Chicago Reader<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n COMING SOON | Area-wide Events<\/strong><\/p>\n 11\/28<\/strong> 12\/6<\/strong> 12\/7<\/strong> NEW! 4\/3-4\/10, 2026<\/strong> NEW! 4\/9-4\/12, 2026<\/strong> \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n COMMUNITY & CAMPUS SERIES | Champaign-Urbana area<\/strong><\/p>\n Chambana Film Society presents \u201cThe Savoy Arthouse\u201d<\/strong> Illini Union Board presents \u201cFall 2025 Weekend Films\u201d<\/strong> ~~~~~<\/p>\n Compiled by Jason Pankoke.<\/em><\/p>\n ~~~~~<\/p>\n \u201cCalendar du C-U\u201d Select movie listings for November 21-27, 2025 in Champaign, Urbana, and the cities beyond! Don\u2019t forget to peruse this week\u2019s Field Report! And, did you take a peek at the Images of the week?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[374,869,2144,53,2093,19,11,15,2967,29,10],"tags":[3052,870,3053,1928,3058,2775,3039,3059,1502,1867,3055,1259,3056,3054,2612,2932,2504,1673,3057],"class_list":["post-16755","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-business-matters","category-calendar-du-c-u","category-documentary","category-educationclasses","category-how-you-can-help","category-images-du-cu","category-job-opportunities","category-media-coverage","category-music-consumption","category-music-video","category-production-updates","tag-andrew-laudone","tag-cinema-calendar","tag-consumer-grade-film-co","tag-documentary-films","tag-film-industry","tag-flyover-film-studios","tag-golden-meadow","tag-jill-greenlee","tag-john-isberg","tag-local-music","tag-moses-the-black","tag-music-video-2","tag-omar-epps","tag-open-me-up","tag-rantoul-il","tag-sarah-cayce","tag-sarah-sharp","tag-where-it-begins","tag-wiz-khalifa"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.micro-film-magazine.com\/cublog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16755","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.micro-film-magazine.com\/cublog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.micro-film-magazine.com\/cublog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.micro-film-magazine.com\/cublog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.micro-film-magazine.com\/cublog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=16755"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.micro-film-magazine.com\/cublog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16755\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16827,"href":"https:\/\/www.micro-film-magazine.com\/cublog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16755\/revisions\/16827"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.micro-film-magazine.com\/cublog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=16755"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.micro-film-magazine.com\/cublog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=16755"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.micro-film-magazine.com\/cublog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=16755"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}<\/p>\n
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\nIllini Film & Video* meeting & game night (11\/21, 4:30 p.m., Room 1002)<\/p>\n
\nChambana Film Society* presents \u201cThe Found Footage Festival \u2013 Volume 11\u201d (11\/21, 7 p.m.)<\/p>\n
\n120 BAHADUR* (in Hindi with English sub), RENTAL FAMILY, SISU: ROAD TO REVENGE, WICKED: FOR GOOD, BUGONIA*, CHAINSAW MAN THE MOVIE: REZE ARC (anim\u00e9) (in Japanese with English sub or English dub), KEEPER*, NOW YOU SEE ME: NOW YOU DON\u2019T, PREDATOR: BADLANDS, REGRETTING YOU, THE RUNNING MAN (11\/21 on), ETERNITY, ZOOTOPIA 2 (animation) (11\/25 on) *single screenings daily<\/p>\n
\nRENTAL FAMILY, SISU: ROAD TO REVENGE, WICKED: FOR GOOD, BLACK PHONE 2, BUGONIA, CHAINSAW MAN THE MOVIE: REZE ARC (anim\u00e9) (in Japanese with English sub or English dub), KEEPER, NOW YOU SEE ME: NOW YOU DON\u2019T, NUREMBERG, PREDATOR: BADLANDS, REGRETTING YOU, THE RUNNING MAN, SARAH\u2019S OIL* (faith film) (11\/21 on), Indian cinema: 120 BAHADUR* (in Hindi with English sub; 11\/21-11\/25), PREMANTE* (in Telugu with English sub; 11\/21), RAJU WEDS RAMBAI* (in Telugu with English sub; 11\/21), MASTIII 4* (in Hindi with English sub; 11\/21-11\/25), EKO* (in Malayalam with English sub; 11\/22-11\/25), and MIDDLE CLASS* (in Tamil with English sub; 11\/22, 11\/24-11\/25), WICKED\/WICKED: FOR GOOD double feature (11\/21-11\/22, 11 a.m.), The Metropolitan Opera: Arabella<\/span> (11\/22, 12 p.m., simulcast), THE POLAR EXPRESS (animation) (11\/23, 3 & 7 p.m.; 11\/26, 7 p.m.), ETERNITY, ZOOTOPIA 2 (animation) (11\/25 on) *single screenings daily<\/p>\n
\nIllini Union Board presents HIM (11\/21-11\/22, 7 p.m., free w\/i-card)<\/p>\n
\n\u201cBad Moms Night Out\u201d feat. stand-up by Queen Quaymo, Regan Shute, and Kristen Unakis, A BAD MOMS CHRISTMAS (11\/21, 6 p.m.)<\/p>\n
\nWICKED: FOR GOOD, NOW YOU SEE ME: NOW YOU DON\u2019T, PREDATOR: BADLANDS, REGRETTING YOU, THE RUNNING MAN, SARAH\u2019S OIL* (faith film) (11\/21 on), JAY KELLY (11\/21), WAKE UP DEAD MAN: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY (11\/25-11\/26), ZOOTOPIA 2 (animation) (11\/25 on) *single screenings daily<\/p>\n
\nELF (Screen 1), NATIONAL LAMPOON\u2019S CHRISTMAS VACATION (Screen 2) (11\/21-11\/22)<\/p>\n
\nWICKED: FOR GOOD (11\/21-11\/23, 11\/27 on)<\/p>\n
\nPLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES (11\/21-11\/23)<\/p>\n
\nClosed for the week.<\/p>\n
\n2025 Big Picture Peoria Film Festival (11\/20-11\/22)<\/p>\n
\nSPRINGSTEEN: DELIVER ME FROM NOWHERE (11\/21-11\/23)<\/p>\n
\nPLAYMOVIE (11\/22, 7 p.m.)<\/p>\n
\n\u2018Reel Talk with Chuck and Pam\u2019 presents \u201cRemembering [Robert] Redford\u201d
\nfeat. THE STING, THE WAY WE WERE, THE NATURAL w\/Chuck Koplinski & Pam Powell
\n@ The Fischer Theatre, Danville, IL, 12-9 p.m.<\/p>\n
\nFischerFest presents \u201cCelebrating the Life & Legacy of Dick Van Dyke\u201d
\nfeat. national premiere of DICK VAN DYKE: 100 CELEBRATION
\n@ The Fischer Theatre, Danville, IL, 5 p.m. doors, 6:30 p.m. program<\/p>\n
\nFischerFest presents \u201cCelebrating the Life & Legacy of Dick Van Dyke\u201d
\nfeat. BYE BYE BIRDIE, THE COMIC, MARY POPPINS w\/Chuck Koplinski
\n@ The Fischer Theatre, Danville, IL, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.<\/p>\n
\n28th annual Wisconsin Film Festival, Madison, WI<\/p>\n
\n36th Onion City Experimental Film Festival, Chicago, IL<\/p>\n
\n@ Phoenix Savoy 16 + IMAX, Savoy, IL, 3 p.m. unless noted otherwise<\/strong>
\n11\/30: THE LADDER; 12\/7: HUNDREDS OF BEAVERS; 12\/14: SONG SUNG BLUE (2008); 12\/21: LOCKE; 12\/28: \u201cShort Docs\u201d program<\/p>\n
\n@ Pine Lounge, 1st floor, Illini Union, UIUC, Urbana, IL, 7 p.m. Fri. & Sat, free w\/i-card<\/strong>
\n12\/5-12\/6: CAUGHT STEALING<\/p>\n
\n\u00a9 2025 Jason Pankoke\/C-U Blogfidential<\/span>
\n[T \u221291]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"