Editor’s note: This press release was provided by the Picture House Regional Film Center. The Pelham Examiner publishes press releases in the form received as a service to the community.
April 2024 – Bronxville and Pelham, NY – The Picture House Regional Film Center celebrates LGBT Pride Month with a special advance screening of Summer Solstice at its Pelham theater on Thursday, June 13th. The evening will be highlighted by a post film discussion with co-star MARIANNE RENDÓN originally from New Rochelle, NY.
“We are thrilled to welcome Marianne to The Picture House and showcase her work in Summer Solstice,” said Clayton Bushong, Director, The Picture House Regional Film Center. “This film not only captivates with its narrative of friendship and self-discovery but also challenges stereotypes often associated with contemporary trans stories. As we embrace diversity and inclusivity, we are honored to share these important stories with our wider community in Westchester, especially during Pride Month.”
According to Director and Writer Noah Schamus,” SUMMER SOLSTICE is a dramedy of errors about two people, both at a crossroads in their lives, as they confront what friendship means and what intimacy looks like in their changed relationship. It’s a gentle and observational story, with laughs that are intimate and, at times, uncomfortable–much like the friendship it explores and celebrates. It’s a story about a seemingly small moment in its characters’ lives, that shows how all us humans are always in the process of coming of age, no matter how many years we’ve lived.”
MARIANNE RENDÓN
Marianne Rendón was born in New Rochelle, NY. Upon graduating from The Juilliard School, Rendón immediately landed a series regular role on the Netflix/Bravo series IMPOSTERS, and also made her feature film debut in Aaron Katz’s thriller GEMINI opposite Zoë Kravitz. Rendón can currently be seen in the Lionsgate feature ONE DAY AS A LION opposite J.K. Simmons, Frank Grillo, and Virginia Madsen, and in the Apple TV+ series EXTRAPOLATIONS from director Scott Z. Burns. She will next be seen in the independent features THE KILL ROOM opposite Maya Hawke, Samuel L. Jackson, and Uma Thurman, and leading A PARACOSM opposite Will Hochman. She was most recently seen as a series regular on The CW’s IN THE DARK, as well as leading and producing Adam Brook’s feature THESE DAYS, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. She was seen starring opposite Matt Smith and Merritt Wever in Mary Harron’s haunting feature CHARLIE SAYS, which had its premiere at the Venice Film Festival. She plays the devastatingly complex role of ‘Susan Atkins’, one of Charles Manson’s most devout followers. She also plays ‘Patti Smith’ in Ondi Timoner’s MAPPLETHORPE, which premiered at Tribeca. The biopic chronicles the life of controversial photographer Robert Mapplethorpe (Matt Smith) and hismuse and collaborator, Patti Smith. Rendón made her Lincoln Center debut in the world premiere of Miranda Rose Hall’s two-hander, PLOT POINTS IN OUR SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT. Before graduating, she understudied the lead role of ‘Elly’ in David Bowie’s musical LAZARUS, directed by Ivo Van Hove, at the acclaimed New York Theatre Workshop.
Summer Solstice Short Synopsis
Trans man Leo’s (Bobbi Salvör Menuez) life is a jumble of auditions, acting classes, barista jobs, and situationships, all of which he hopes will amount to more. Unexpectedly, Leo’s college best friend, cisgender and straight Eleanor (Marianne Rendón), calls Leo announcing that she’ll be driving through NYC, and offers to pick him up for an impromptu trip upstate. They embark on the weekend getaway, marking their first time spent together since Leo began transitioning. Reunited with new gender dynamics between them, and uncovering problems lurking behind Eleanor’s “well-meaning” façade, Leo and Eleanor navigate how their old feelings towards one another exist within this new context, forcing them both to confront buried secrets and emotions. A modern twist on the buddy comedy from a queer and trans perspective, Noah Schamus’ debut feature Summer SOLSTICE is a celebration of friendship, resilience, and coming of age again.
- Pelham’s got talent! And Pelham’s got events! Support the nonprofit community newspaper that showcases them all!