Image Quilt Cinema coming to Herkimer – The Times Telegram

A new independent film business is coming to Herkimer.

Image Quilt Cinema is getting ready to open in the former H.G. Mungers building at 142 N. Main St., Herkimer.

"Theyre in the process of getting their location set up," said building owner Joseph Chilelli, who is working to renovate and restore the structure and has already brought businesses into the former department store. Renewed and Rescued, a consignment shop offering clothing, household goods and small furniture, and Wakefield Furniture have stores there and Chilelli plans to bring in vendors as well.

Herkimer is Image Quilts second location, said Omonike Akinyemi, the filmmaker and choreographer behind Image Quilt, which has its main base in Albany.

"Image Quilt is a production company that makes films, screens independent films and creates live theater," she said. Plans for the Herkimer location include concerts in the mall area and a caf in the mezzanine. She added that she is working on establishing hours for the caf.

Akinyemi estimated there is about 1,000 square feet of space in the back courtyard, where outdoor screenings can be held with plenty of room for people to spread out. Indoor screenings will be held in the basement, where she also plans to use about 1,000 square feet of the much larger space.

Until COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, reservations will be required so guests can be seated at least 6 feet apart and the cinema will operate more as an art house or a subscription service, she said. There will be signage reminding people to socially distance and hand sanitizer will be available. The audience will be limited to 25 people who will be seated 6 feet apart, said Akinyemi.

"Once were cleared to operate, many more people can come," she said. In the meantime, if there are any issues, the outdoor space can be used in the evening, weather permitting.

Asked why she chose Herkimer, Akinyemi said she lives in Fort Plain, but enjoys visiting Herkimer, where she attended classes at Herkimer County Community College. "I took a photography course with Mr. (Gale) Farley and I learned a lot. I did black and white photography and got back into the real nuts and bolts."

She added that she sees Herkimer as having the right mix of college students, professional people and visitors for the business.

Outdoor screening

For its grand opening, Image Quilt Cinema plans to host an outdoor screening of "The Man Who Knew Infinity," directed by Matt Brown, on Thursday, Sept. 17, at the rear of the former Mungers building. A mixer will begin at 7:30 p.m. with the film to start at 9 p.m.

The film tells the story of the life and academic career of pioneer Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan and his friendship with his mentor, Professor G.H. Hardy.

Tickets sell for $5 and those attending can sit on chairs or blankets and picnic if they wish.

Asked if there would be popcorn, Akinyemi said there would and fresh vegetables as well. "We have a garden," she said.

The opening night event will be followed by a Friday through Sunday film lineup inside that will include the films, "BoyHood," "Argentos Dracula 3D" and "The Death of Stalin." The screenings are scheduled to start at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

"Were working our way toward having a murder mystery," said Akinyemi, adding that she is interested in stories she has heard about the Mungers department store and would like to work some of its the history into a continuing pre-show murder mystery event that would keep people coming back for more clues.

She also plans to offer lessons in African dance and Flamenco with some students attending in person and others remotely.

Richard Linklaters "BoyHood" was filmed over a 12-year period with the same cast. Saturdays offering, "Argentos Dracula 3-D," tells of Draculas attempt to claim a mans wife while the Sunday matinee film, "The Death of Stalin," has the dictators death throwing the Soviet Union into comic chaos.

For reservations or more information, visit http://www.imagequilt.com.

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Image Quilt Cinema coming to Herkimer - The Times Telegram

Reviewed and Recommended by Erik Baquero