May 15, 2026
Be Kind Rewind
USA 2008 • 102 min (2.39:1)
Directed by: Michel Gondry
Starring: Jack Black, Mos Def, Danny Glover
Presented by: Rachel Storm and Arthouse 217
Venue: Boneyard Creek Crossing
Free admission
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About the film
A handmade ode to movies, memory, and community, this heartfelt comedy finds Michel Gondry channeling his signature lo-fi imagination into something warmly nostalgic and deeply personal. When two friends accidentally erase an entire video store’s inventory, they set out to recreate the films themselves, sparking a wave of DIY creativity that transforms their neighborhood. Gondry’s playful visual style and affection for analog ingenuity turn cardboard sets and amateur effects into something genuinely magical, celebrating the joy of making and sharing movies together. Funny, inventive, and quietly moving, it stands as one of the most sincere love letters to cinema in the 21st century.
Join us for an outdoor screening of Be Kind Rewind along the creek. We’ll gather at 7:30pm for music, food, and a chance to learn about local filmmaking. The film will begin at sundown (approximately 8:30pm).
The Champaign County History Museum’s historic popcorn truck will be on site with popcorn and drinks for purchase. You’re also encouraged to bring your own food and support nearby spots like Baldarotta's Porketta & Sicilian Sausage and Cloud Mountain Kombucha.
Bring a blanket or chair and settle in for a night of film, creativity, and community.
#CultCinema #MichelGondry #JackBlack #MosDef #DIYFilm #Sweded #CinemaLove #IndieFilm #FeelGoodCinema #HiddenGem
Presented by Rachel Storm
Rachel Lauren Storm is an arts and culture advocate with over 20 years of experience in creative community engagement in Urbana-Champaign. She has worked extensively across various disciplines, including film, visual arts, and live performances, contributing to the development of arts programming, curating exhibitions, and fostering collaboration among local artists and organizations. Rachel founded and led the Annual Feminist Film Festival for over 8 years and has coordinated numerous film screenings and arts programs in the region. As the former Arts and Culture Coordinator for the City of Urbana, Rachel launched the Cinema and Sound Film Series, combining film screenings with live music performances. She has also served as a panelist and judge for the Illinifest Film Festival, a past discussant for the Arthouse Experience at the Virginia Theater, and contributed to the Interdependent Film Festival. Currently, Rachel is the Assistant Director of Community Engagement and Learning at Krannert Art Museum and Vice-President of the Champaign County Museum Network.
Arthouse 217 celebrates and revitalizes independent and arthouse cinema in Urbana-Champaign, fostering community connection through thoughtfully curated film experiences. Drawing on the legacy of Ebertfest, the historic Art Theater, and the Virginia Theatre, the series invites both longtime cinephiles and new audiences to engage with films that extend beyond entertainment—offering space for creativity, reflection, and shared dialogue. Arthouse 217 also reimagines how films are experienced, presenting interdisciplinary and immersive programs that pair cinema with live music, visual art, and social gathering—creating dynamic, participatory events unlike traditional screenings.
This event is made possible with support from a City of Urbana Arts and Culture Program Grant.
Film-Fanatic.Club • Urbana Art & Culture Program
