The Beverly Theater brings Sherman Alexie's critically acclaimed independent film "The Business of Fancydancing" to its intimate downtown screening room. This 2002 drama follows Seymour Polatkin, a successful Native American poet who returns to his Spokane reservation for a funeral, confronting the friends and community he left behind as he grappled with his identity, sexuality, and artistic ambitions. Alexie's directorial debut is a deeply personal exploration of cultural identity, featuring a cast of Native American actors and a raw, honest approach to storytelling that earned it recognition on the festival circuit.
The film's themes of belonging, authenticity, and the complicated relationships between art and community make it a fitting choice for the Beverly's curated programming. Shot with an indie aesthetic that matches the theater's own artistic sensibility, the screening offers a chance to experience Alexie's work in an environment designed for thoughtful cinema. The venue's excellent acoustics and carefully calibrated projection create an ideal setting for this character-driven piece, while the intimate 150-seat space allows the film's emotional moments to resonate in a way that larger multiplexes can't quite capture.