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Presented in partnership with Keylight. With director Todd Rohal in attendance to intro the film and do Q&A afterwards. And screening on the only 35mm print in existence! 

THE GUATEMALAN HANDSHAKE first played in Pittsburgh at the Three Rivers Film Festival in November of 2006, but returned for a run right here at the Harris Theater in March of 2007. Here's what the great writer Al Hoff wrote for the City Paper back then: 

A disgruntled employee down at the plant — yes, it’s Three Mile Island — shorts out the grid, setting into motion a curious set of events in a small town. Todd Rohal’s ensemble film, which plays out elliptically over a few summer days, recalls the sun-drenched off-kilter Americana of David Lynch, as well as the deadpan quirkiness of Napoleon Dynamite: A demo-derby driver (Will Oldham) and a dog go missing; an electric car changes hands; people speak in non-sequiturs or from oddly located telephones. Yet that errant crackle from the plant appears to be just what this town of lost but lovable losers needs to jumpstart their lives. Beautifully filmed by former Pittsburgh Filmmakers instructor Richie Sherman in and around Harrisburg, Handshake is that weird, wonderful Pennsylvania summer iconoclasts deserve. 

Directed by Todd Rohal 

2006 | USA | English language | 35mm

Concessions

Concessions are available for all screenings and the Harris Theater is now BYOB. Guests who bring alcoholic beverages must be 21 years or older and provide valid photo ID upon request, a $5 charge will be issued per guest.