Back to the Drive-in (2022)

Back to the Drive-in (2022). 1h 45m

“April Wrightu0026#39;s follow-up to her 2013 GOING ATTRACTIONS: THE DEFINITIVE HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN DRIVE-IN MOVIE. Like the original, BACK TO THE DRIVE-IN is a mix of sweet nostalgia combined with the sometimes trying reality of running an outdoor cinema.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe big difference between the two Documentaries is, of course, the Pandemic which created a boom and bust cycle which Drive-Ins are still working their way through. On the plus side, Drive-Ins were in many areas, the only place to see a movie at the height of the lock-downs. The downside included the difficulty in hiring – and keeping – workers, supply chain issues, occasionally rowdy attendees and film studiosu0026#39; fickle distribution plans. All of those layered on top of the already existing issues of reliance on good weather and the ever increasing value of real estate (the most sobering quote in the movie is when the Mission Tiki drive-in operator says that he has an offer for land that is worth what he could make in 25 years (!) of running the theaters).u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eWright focuses on 11 drive-ins situated all across the country. The owners and operators are a mix of seasoned pros and wide-eyed amateurs just getting into the game. The Doc is truly a tale of Small Business ownership as much as one about the film exhibition business. The ups and the downs. And, lots of uncertainty.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eIn the end, what comes through in Wrightu0026#39;s hands is that running a drive-in is a labor of love. For all the troubles and pains, when these entrepreneurs see the joy of kids playing in the drive-in playground or that glint in the eyes of first-time in their lifetime visitors it makes it all worth-while.”