Local theaters jump ship on bringing Amistad to area

What kind of a land is this where you almost mean what you say? Where laws almost work?

Joseph Cinque questioned the American justice system in the movie Amistad -- but State College audiences have yet to hear the answer.

Amistad has grossed more than $42 million since its premiere in December and is up for four Academy Awards later this month, yet its presence has not graced any of State College's four movie theaters.

The film did open briefly last month at Philipsburg's Rowland Theatre. However, the 45-minute drive to the venue made it hard for many students to see the movie.

One reason why Amistad is not playing locally is based on competition, said Phil Smitley, assistant vice president of public relations for Carmike Cinemas, the company that owns all of the movie theaters in State College.

"The movie company is only going to release films to certain theater chains," Smitley said. "They won't release the film to the theater's competitors if that theater already had an order in."

Set in 1839, Amistad, directed by Steven Spielberg, is based on a true story about the plight of 53 Africans who were jailed for murder after they were captured on a slave ship off the coast of Long Island, N.Y. A historical U.S. Supreme Court case followed, pitting two former U.S. presidents against each other.

"Not a movie primarily about black Americans, or about their conditions, it is a saga about fierce, noble, freedom-loving Africans," said Robert L. Hall, professor of African-American Studies at Northeastern University in Boston.

Students are wondering why Amistad has received such little attention in the area.

"It sounds interesting. I'm surprised there wasn't more publicity for it," said Lisa Ivory (junior-psychology).

Whatever the reason for its absence, Smitley said those wanting to see Amistad may not have long to wait.

"I don't know why it hasn't played in State College," Smitley said, "but we are going to try to get it there."

Spielberg wanted the film to be an accurate portrayal of a historical event, and called on an ensemble cast composed of big-name film stars as well as newcomer Djimon Hounsou as Cinque, the lead character.

Anthony Hopkins plays former President John Quincy Adams, who willingly fights for the Africans' freedom all the way to the highest court in the land. Opposite him, British actor Nigel Hawthorne plays former pro-slavery President Martin Van Buren, who uses the case to seek re-election by gaining favor with the south.

Box-office stars such as Matthew McConaughey and Morgan Freeman add to the impressive cast.

Many students are asking why a film with such a high pedigree as Amistad is not available in this area.

There are a couple of theories as to why a major motion picture that was released nationwide was overlooked near such a large University.

Gary W. Gallagher, professor of American History, said Amistad is an example of a movie that isn't meant to be light entertainment.

"(Hollywood execs) don't think movies like that will draw, so they don't bring them," he said.