Estranged from his manipulative cancer-stricken mother, Stan, a quixotic 19-year-old, dons a disguise and joins a therapy workshop for disfigured patients in a misguided attempt to reconnect with her. But when his deception is revealed, Stan, who is desperate to gain coping skills to care for his disease-ravaged mother, offers the afflicted patients a bargain: he stays with the group, and in exchange he teaches them how feel good about themselves: By using their "ugliness" as a weapon against our beauty-obsessed culture. With Robin L'Houmeau, Debbie Lynch-White, Dean Perseo.

Writer-director Alexandre Franchi's (THE WILD HUNT) joins us for intro via Skype!

"There's real heart at its core, and its nakedly empathetic yet unbeatific treatment of its unconventional cast is something rarely seen in cinema." (Birth.Movies.Death)

Thursday, November 21
Doors 8:45 pm | Movie 9:15 pm *Start time subject to change.

Tickets $13 advance | $13 at the door

*Must be 19+ w/ID for entry and bar service. Rio Theatre Groupons and passes OK! Please redeem at the door.

HAPPY FACE (Alenxandre Franchi, 2019 /100 mins / French with English subtitles) Montreal 1992 —Estranged from his cancer-stricken mother, Stan, a quixotic 19-year-old, dons a disguise and joins a therapy workshop for disfigured patients in a misguided attempt to reconnect with her.