The new Pixar film“变红”is skipping a widespread theater run and going straight to the Disney+ streaming service, so most people who want to see the animated film about a girl who turns into a red panda will have to watch this weekend’s premiere at home.
But the Emeryville animation studio is making an exception for one Bay Area theater,the Grand Lake Theatre in Oakland, where“变红”will play for one week starting Friday, March 11.
Filmmakers from Pixar, including “Up” and “Inside Out” director Pete Docter and Castro Valley-born producer Jonas Rivera, haveshouted out the Grand Lakeon previous press tours. But Grand Lake owner Allen Michaan was still surprised when he heard from his film buyer that Disney was offering the 96-year-old Art Deco theater near Lake Merritt the option to show the film.
“They asked if we wanted to play it for one week, because the Pixar people really love the Grand Lake and want to see it on the big screen,” Michaan told The Chronicle.
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It’s actually one of three cinemas in the country showing the film, along with the Disney-owned El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood and the AMC Empire 25 in New York. (A film must play on at least two screens for a week to qualify for Academy Awards consideration.)
“Turning Red,” Oscar winnerDomee Shi’s feature directorial debut, isreceiving positive reviews. The film also has stronglocal tiesincludingFremont teen Rosalie Chiangin the lead role.
The Grand Lake has been home for special presentations and screenings and is slated to host Eddie Muller’s popularNoir City film festivalfor the first time, from March 24 to 27. After the Grand Lake’s most successful year in 2018 that included“Black Panther”and the Oakland films“Blindspotting”and“Sorry to Bother You,”longtime leaseholder Michaanbought the theater outright.
But he said crowds have returned very slowly even as pandemic restrictions loosen, and he hopes “Turning Red” turns that around.
“We’re hoping this helps us emerge out of that,” Michaan said. “That people see how wonderful it is to be in a theater together and watch a movie rather than sit home and stream. This is a very big deal for us.”
Showtimes are available在Grand Lake Theatre site.
“变红”(PG) premieres Friday, March 11, on Disney+ and Grand Lake Theatre, 3200 Grand Ave., Oakland.