Via Zoom: Filmmaker April Wright Takes Us ‘Back to the Drive-In’

Printer-friendly versionE-mail page to friendPDF version

CHICAGO – One of the realizations that came out of the pandemic was that Drive-In movie theaters are still viable. When regular theaters closed, the Drive-In filled the void where they were available. Filmmaker April Wright has had a lifelong love for the Drive-In, and has explored their revival and challenges afterward in “Back to the Drive-In.” The documentary will have a limited two-day (April 13/14, 2022) run at the historic Music Box Theatre in Chicago, click DRIVE-IN DREAMS for showtimes.

Rating: 4.0/5.0

Wright drove cross country to 11 Drive-Ins, both old-timey established and brand spanking new. What she found was a commonality between the owners and a love for what they do, or in some cases a reflection of a life in the business. What she also found was the magic of the Drive-In – beyond the infamous teenager reputation – that spoke to the future of this legendary way to see movies … which began over 100 years ago. The experience of Drive-Ins is its allure, and the memories made there are the bonus.

’Back to the Drive-In,’ Directed by April Wright
Photo credit: Drive-In Doc Inc

April Wright has been a film writer, director and producer since 2006. After starting with short films and a feature (“Layover,” 2009), she made her first documentary about Drive-Ins in 2013 (“Going Attractions: The Definitive Story of the American Drive-In Movie”). Her other documentary in the series, “Going Attractions: The Definitive Story of the Movie Palace” was featured on HollywoodChicago.com in 2019 (Link Here) and in 2020 she completed “Stuntwomen: The Untold Hollywood Story.”

In an interview via Zoom with Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, April Wright of “Back to the Drive-In” talks about the people and emotions of the Drive-In Theater …

Trailer for “Back to the Drive-In” …

By PATRICK McDONALD Editor, Film Writer HollywoodChicago.com pat@hollywoodchicago.com