When Navied Mahdavian, a cartoonist, and his wife, Emelie, a filmmaker, moved from San Francisco to Mackay, Idaho (population 473), they fixated on their new hometown’s theater.
Or, rather, the ghost of a theater.
Before the big reopening, one longtime town resident seemed less than enthusiastic about the plan, Mr. Mahdavian recalled, accusing the theater boosters of trying to import an “artsy-fartsy, social-justice-warrior” sensibility to the Idaho mountains.
“We’re actually showing a western,” Mr. Mahdavian said.
To which the resident replied: “John Wayne?”Instead, the Mahdavians chose “Damsel,” a new-age western from 2018 featuring a heroine played by Mia Wasikowska, a wimpy male character and a masturbation scene.
Persons:
Navied, Mahdavian, We’re, Mr, “ John Wayne, Mia Wasikowska
Organizations:
Mackay Main Theater
Locations:
San Francisco, Mackay , Idaho, Idaho