On Thursday, July 25th, we are thrilled to partner with Art House Convergence to herald the return of Art House Theater Day (AHTD), a nationwide event where exhibitors and audiences alike come together to celebrate all the contributions that art house theaters and independent film make to our cultural landscape: ambitious and innovative art that provokes, challenges, entertains, and inspires.

Join us as we celebrate the 40th Anniversary of director Penelope Spheeris’ Suburbia, a raw and gritty portrayal of disaffected youth living on the fringes of society. The film follows a group of teenage runaways, known as “The Rejected” or “TR,” who escape their troubled homes to form a makeshift family in an abandoned house in a Los Angeles suburb. Among them are Evan and Ethan, brothers who flee from a dysfunctional home life, and Joe Schmo, the charismatic leader of the group. The teens find solace in punk rock music and each other, but their existence is threatened by hostile locals and the harsh realities of street life.

Spheeris’s unflinching direction, combined with a soundtrack featuring punk bands such as T.S.O.L. and The Vandals, creates an authentic and poignant depiction of youth rebellion and societal neglect. Though not a mainstream hit, Suburbia garnered a cult following, and has been praised for its honest, documentary-style approach and powerful social commentary. It was included in the Museum of Modern Art’s permanent film collection, recognizing its cultural significance.

We thank our community of film lovers for all their support. See you this Art House Theater Day!