Proceeds benefit restaurants who are serving our frontline heroes and to those experiencing food insecurity
OREGON (April 29, 2020) – The Oregon Hospitality Foundation announced it will team with Theatrical-At-Home to create a virtual watch party and fundraising event, Takeout & A Movie. The event, Saturday, May 9th, 2020 starts with streaming of the Oregon-made film, PHOENIX OREGON, at 5:00 pm followed by a live Q&A with its cast and crew at 7:00 pm. For those who are unable to attend May 9th, streaming access is available May 8th-May 12th.
All virtual movie ticket sales will be generously split with the Oregon Hospitality Foundation who will distribute 100% of their proceeds to Oregon restaurants who are feeding our frontline heroes and those with food insecurity. The Foundation is contributing $10,000 of its own funds to this effort.
“We see multiple benefits that include creating a special occasion to share this inspiring and humorous movie with family and friends, supporting community restaurants via takeout, providing funding for restaurants who are doing philanthropic work, and giving financial support to local filmmakers,” said Wendy Popkin, Executive Director of the Oregon Hospitality Foundation.
Lundgren’s PHOENIX, OREGON is about two friends, a graphic novelist and a chef, who defy a midlife haze by seizing an unlikely opportunity to reinvent their lives by quitting their jobs to restore an old bowling alley and serve the “world’s greatest pizza.” For foodies and those who just enjoy dining out, “Chef Carlos” poignantly portrays the passion that chefs have for food and their desire to create a community around their table. For all of us who need a boost during this uncertain time, the story of how the two find the courage and resilience to take new risks and keep their dreams alive is encouraging, as well as humorous. The timing of the film’s release is uncanny as an analogy to the phrase “rising like a Phoenix from the ashes.”
The film stars an impressive lineup of indie film stalwarts and comedy favorites including James Le Gros (DRUGSTORE COWBOY, LIVING IN OBLIVION), Lisa Edelstein (“House”), Jesse Borrego (“Fame,” BLOOD IN BLOOD OUT), Reynaldo Gallegos (AMERICAN SNIPER), Diedrich Bader (NAPOLEON DYNAMITE, OFFICE SPACE, “Veep”), and Kevin Corrigan (THE DEPARTED, PINEAPPLE EXPRESS, TRUE ROMANCE).
All ticket purchases will receive a one-time link to watch the movie at home as well as a free digital copy upon its official release this summer.
“The lead character is modeled after a friend of ours, a passionate chef and pizzeria entrepreneur. We see how hard he works to create great cuisine and give back to his community every day,” said PHOENIX, OREGON producer Annie Lundgren. “Especially at this time, we are excited to partner with the Oregon Hospitality Foundation to support restaurants in our local community and across the state.”
Restaurants across Oregon were forced to close their dining rooms due to COVID-19 on March 17th, 2020. Since then, we have seen an 83% decline in sales from April 1-April 10, 2020, forcing industry to layoff an estimated 81% of its employees. Despite these staggering losses, there are many who are struggling to survive on takeout/delivery/drive-through alone and yet are still striving to serve those in need.
To purchase a ticket, go to https://phoenixoregonmovie.com/takeout, and join the social conversations at #TakeoutAndAMovie #HospitalityHelpFund.org.
PHOENIX, OREGON is released by Aspiration Entertainment in association with Ryan Bruce Levey Film Distribution and was produced by Joma Films with Pied Piper Productions, Lui-G Films, and Sunset Dynamics.
ABOUT THE OREGON HOSPITALITY FOUNDATION (OHF)
The Oregon Hospitality Foundation serves Oregon’s hospitality industry through philanthropic as well as education and training leadership that supports the vitality of tourism’s significant contribution to the state’s economy. OHF was formed in 1992 as a 501c3 nonprofit and was formerly called the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association Education Foundation. OregonHospitalityFoundation.org.
For more about Takeout & A Movie go to HospitalityHelpFund.org