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Castro Theatre in turmoil over sudden sacking
Ruthe Stein, Chronicle Senior Movie Writer
Wednesday, November 3, 2004
The manager of the Castro Theatre quit Tuesday -- the latest of several staffing shake-ups to cause concern about the future of the venerable movie palace, mecca to film lovers in the Bay Area.
Stacey Wisnia, who has managed the Castro for more than four years and worked there for eight, said she resigned in part to protest the abrupt firing last week of the theater's long-time programmer, Anita Monga.
"I really am upset about how they fired Anita, who is definitely one of the most highly regarded programmers in the country," Wisnia said. "It makes me worry about the direction the theater is heading in.''
During her 16 years as the Castro's director of programming, Monga developed a national reputation for her eclectic scheduling, mixing first-run features with classics and the offbeat. Her final schedule for the theater includes the original "The Manchurian Candidate," a tribute to cinematographer James Wong Howe, a week's worth of "Godzilla" movies and "Tarnation," a new documentary about a young man's relationship with his mentally ill mother.
Monga said Castro owner Ted Nasser summoned her to the theater last Tuesday to tell her "I would immediately have no contact with the theater. I can't even begin to think what is in their minds," she said, referring to the Nasser family. The Nassers built the Castro and have owned it since 1922, but took over active management only in 2001. They have installed new seats and made other improvements.
Stacks of letters have been sent protesting Monga's dismissal and expressing concern for the quality of the films the theater will now show. Although Monga said she was "shocked" by her dismissal, this outpouring of support "has been so moving to me" and confirmed her belief in the Castro's significance. "It is a San Francisco treasure and I worry about it now.'' Assistant manager Christian Bruno, who recently e-mailed almost everyone in the film community to complain about turmoil at the theater, also has been fired. Office manager Kelly Rausch resigned Friday in sympathy.
Nasser isn't saying much about what's transpired. "As an employer, it is not my habit to speak about staffing changes," he said Monday.
But his wife, Karen Nasser, went out of her way to assure local theater patrons that there would be no major changes at the Castro.
"No thought has been given to exhibiting films like the multiplexes show, " she said. "The Castro has shown unique films, hosted film festivals and special events for many, many years. We expect and look forward to continue to work with each and every one of the film festivals and special events.''
"Karen is hankering for the job (of film programmer) because she thinks it is glamorous and easy," said Elliot Lavine, an independent distributor who used to program films at the Roxie. "She has no idea of what goes into it, and Ted wouldn't know a good movie from an ashtray.''
It is believed that the Nassers would like to screen more family fare. Karen Nasser recently initiated Sunday morning children's films such as "National Velvet" and "Cheaper by the Dozen.''
"I think they would like to see less of things like 'Tarnation,' " said Marcus Hu, owner of Strand, an independent distributor whose films often play the Castro. Wisnia said the Nassers have "complained about the gay content of some of the films." When a double bill of "Proteus" and "Superstar in a Housedress," both gay-themed, did not do well at the box office "it seemed to set them (the Nassers) off in a way." According to Wisnia, they also were unhappy with a Bruce Weber photo on a recent program cover showing men with their shirts off and their arms around each other.
Insiders say the Nassers have been furiously calling festival heads to assure them the welcome mat is still out at the Castro. But at least one festival curator, Eddie Muller, who puts on the popular San Francisco Film Noir Festival at the Castro in January, may go elsewhere.
"I have no intention of doing it without Anita, and I am seriously considering an alternative venue because of this development," Muller said.
Gary Meyer, founder of Landmark Theatres who now operates the Balboa, predicts that there may be more defections. "The Castro is very expensive to rent, and you don't want to go to a place where the staff and the environment are not right for what you are doing," Meyer said. Other options for film festivals include the Palace of Fine Arts and the Herbst Theatre.
However, Meyer doubts that the San Francisco International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival would consider a move because the Castro is in the heart of the gay community. "They want to be at the corner of Main and Main.''
E-mail Ruthe Stein at rstein@sfchronicle.com.
SFGate Home Business Sports Entertainment Classifieds [ Advanced Search | Site Index]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Castro Theatre in turmoil over sudden sacking
Ruthe Stein, Chronicle Senior Movie Writer
Wednesday, November 3, 2004
The manager of the Castro Theatre quit Tuesday -- the latest of several staffing shake-ups to cause concern about the future of the venerable movie palace, mecca to film lovers in the Bay Area.
Stacey Wisnia, who has managed the Castro for more than four years and worked there for eight, said she resigned in part to protest the abrupt firing last week of the theater's long-time programmer, Anita Monga.
"I really am upset about how they fired Anita, who is definitely one of the most highly regarded programmers in the country," Wisnia said. "It makes me worry about the direction the theater is heading in.''
During her 16 years as the Castro's director of programming, Monga developed a national reputation for her eclectic scheduling, mixing first-run features with classics and the offbeat. Her final schedule for the theater includes the original "The Manchurian Candidate," a tribute to cinematographer James Wong Howe, a week's worth of "Godzilla" movies and "Tarnation," a new documentary about a young man's relationship with his mentally ill mother.
Monga said Castro owner Ted Nasser summoned her to the theater last Tuesday to tell her "I would immediately have no contact with the theater. I can't even begin to think what is in their minds," she said, referring to the Nasser family. The Nassers built the Castro and have owned it since 1922, but took over active management only in 2001. They have installed new seats and made other improvements.
Stacks of letters have been sent protesting Monga's dismissal and expressing concern for the quality of the films the theater will now show. Although Monga said she was "shocked" by her dismissal, this outpouring of support "has been so moving to me" and confirmed her belief in the Castro's significance. "It is a San Francisco treasure and I worry about it now.'' Assistant manager Christian Bruno, who recently e-mailed almost everyone in the film community to complain about turmoil at the theater, also has been fired. Office manager Kelly Rausch resigned Friday in sympathy.
Nasser isn't saying much about what's transpired. "As an employer, it is not my habit to speak about staffing changes," he said Monday.
But his wife, Karen Nasser, went out of her way to assure local theater patrons that there would be no major changes at the Castro.
"No thought has been given to exhibiting films like the multiplexes show, " she said. "The Castro has shown unique films, hosted film festivals and special events for many, many years. We expect and look forward to continue to work with each and every one of the film festivals and special events.''
"Karen is hankering for the job (of film programmer) because she thinks it is glamorous and easy," said Elliot Lavine, an independent distributor who used to program films at the Roxie. "She has no idea of what goes into it, and Ted wouldn't know a good movie from an ashtray.''
It is believed that the Nassers would like to screen more family fare. Karen Nasser recently initiated Sunday morning children's films such as "National Velvet" and "Cheaper by the Dozen.''
"I think they would like to see less of things like 'Tarnation,' " said Marcus Hu, owner of Strand, an independent distributor whose films often play the Castro. Wisnia said the Nassers have "complained about the gay content of some of the films." When a double bill of "Proteus" and "Superstar in a Housedress," both gay-themed, did not do well at the box office "it seemed to set them (the Nassers) off in a way." According to Wisnia, they also were unhappy with a Bruce Weber photo on a recent program cover showing men with their shirts off and their arms around each other.
Insiders say the Nassers have been furiously calling festival heads to assure them the welcome mat is still out at the Castro. But at least one festival curator, Eddie Muller, who puts on the popular San Francisco Film Noir Festival at the Castro in January, may go elsewhere.
"I have no intention of doing it without Anita, and I am seriously considering an alternative venue because of this development," Muller said.
Gary Meyer, founder of Landmark Theatres who now operates the Balboa, predicts that there may be more defections. "The Castro is very expensive to rent, and you don't want to go to a place where the staff and the environment are not right for what you are doing," Meyer said. Other options for film festivals include the Palace of Fine Arts and the Herbst Theatre.
However, Meyer doubts that the San Francisco International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival would consider a move because the Castro is in the heart of the gay community. "They want to be at the corner of Main and Main.''
E-mail Ruthe Stein at rstein@sfchronicle.com.
