The modern romance, "Love, Brooklyn," opens Oct. 3 at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln's Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center.
Continuing through Oct. 9 is "Eleanor the Great," and ongoing is the Ross Fright Fest.
In her gentle, timeless and quietly absorbing debut feature, "Love, Brooklyn," director Rachael Abigail Holder wisely portrays winds of change in her beloved Brooklyn, through the lived-in stories of three unique Brooklynites, as imagined by screenwriter Paul Zimmerman. While they grapple with the shifts that unfold in their own lives and relationships, the city spaces that they lovingly exist in go through subtle transformations of their own.
As the easygoing writer Roger, producer and star André Holland ("Moonlight") is one third of that trio, soulfully biking around the city, working his way towards an impossible deadline. He is in an initially casual, and gradually deepening relationship with the confident and no-nonsense Nicole (DeWanda Wise, "She’s Gotta Have It"), who dotingly raises her daughter as a single mother and navigates the emotional challenges of the recent loss of her husband.
Elsewhere, the free-spirited Casey (Nicole Beharie, "The Morning Show"), tries to decide on the future of her treasured art gallery, while steering her complicated camaraderie with her ex Roger—one that feels just a little more than a friendship.
"Love, Brooklyn," is not rated and shows through Oct. 9.
"Eleanor the Great" features a bravura performance from June Squibb in the title role of the spirited 94-year-old who tells a tale that takes on a dangerous life of its own. Eleanor Morgenstein has always stayed engaged and connected to the people around her. So, after a devastating loss, she relocates from Florida to New York City to live with her daughter and grandson, hoping to reconnect with her family. Instead, she feels even more adrift and invisible. One day she unknowingly wanders into a support group where she doesn’t quite belong, only to reveal a story that unwittingly brings her a level of attention she did not intend. Eleanor finds herself caught up in the enlivening consequences as a young journalism student pursues her as a friend and mentor. When things go too far, Eleanor must confront the truth.
In her directorial debut, Scarlett Johansson brings together themes of aging, family, loss and what constitutes deceit, as this story of friendship and history turns into a profound tale of complicated humanity.
"Eleanor the Great" is rated PG-13 and is showing through Oct. 9.
For more information on films, including showtimes and ticket availability, visit the Ross' website.
