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1 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Remembering her roots ... Daniel Meyer Pool reopens June 17 ... Gun Violence Awareness Day event set on Ashland Plaza ... Remembering her roots ... Daniel Meyer Pool reopens June 17 ... Gun Violence Awareness Day event set on Ashland Plaza ... GUEST OPINION Guest Opinion: Varsity Theatre responds Comment By Lee Fuchsmann DailyTidings.com By Lee Fuchsmann Posted May. 24, 2016 at 4:40 PM By Lee Fuchsmann Posted May. 24, 2016 at 4:40 PM » Social News As the programmer for film at the Varsity Theatre, I followed with interest the story of Robert DeNiro and the film “Vaxxed” coming out of Tribeca in March, very much surprised at first that a film festival would bow to pressure to drop a film. So I began reading all I could on child immunization, the story behind Andrew Wakefield and his study, the reaction of other film festivals, etc. I had decided not to go after the film until we began receiving phone calls, emails and website contacts regarding the film, 99 percent of which were requesting the film be shown in our community. We’re talking hundreds of requests, almost exclusively from this area, with only a handful from the 15 other communities in which we have theaters (although we’re now receiving many more from the Eureka area in California). The last film that received anywhere near this level of requests was when Michael Moore’s “Fahrenheit 9/11” was released 12 years ago. The requests were too numerous to ignore. I spoke to a contact at Cinema Libre to find out what the reaction to the film’s booking had been in other towns. At that time, I was told there would probably be some backlash, and I had expected that. But when a film is perceived as being dropped out of pressure by the establishment, or a particular political agenda, or whatever, the film’s power grows. Some people begin thinking maybe there is something to it, some truth to be hidden. DeNiro did more for the film by pulling it from this year’s Tribeca Film Festival than the filmmakers could ever have hoped. The attendant publicity, including his turnaround on national television saying he wished he had played the film, allowed the film to find a national release. I don’t know that not playing the film would have been a better option, and I’m saddened that people are angry or disappointed with us for fulfilling our obligation to play the film once we had booked the film and sold tickets. It was only after that that the full force of the backlash came to bear. We would hope viewers would take the time to investigate all information available to them. The front door of the Varsity has a notice that states we do not advocate a position with regard to “Vaxxed,” nor do we guarantee truth or non-bias in any film we play. I have felt compelled to post such a sign only two or three times in the 20 years since I joined our company. The box office windows at the Varsity were also posted from day one with the " 'Vaxxed' screening is irresponsible" letter published in the Tidings, as well as other articles — including one from the CDC website, "MMR Vaccine Safety Studies" — and other informational articles. While I was sensitive to the “irresponsible” label, I was happy that such an informed letter was made available to the community. If you look at the theaters nationally that are now playing the film, most are art houses like the Varsity, theaters that are committed to presenting films representing divergent beliefs and viewpoints. If we’re not allowed to do that, or are shunned because we do, we lose a part of our value to the community, a community that includes all of us. Lee Fuchsmann is vice president and director of film for Coming Attractions Theatres Inc. By Lee Fuchsmann DailyTidings.com By Lee Fuchsmann Posted May. 24, 2016 at 4:40 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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