Variety Act Miami #17: Meet Lauren Cohen, Co-Director of Programming for the Miami Film Festival and Tower Theater Miami.
Silver screen queen.
Good morning, good morning to you! You’re reading issue number 17 of Variety Act Miami. I’m your compère, Natalie Guevara.
If I seem especially chirpy on this fine morning, what with linking to a scene from Singin’ in the Rain and all, it’s because today we’re celebrating cinema. And how better to celebrate our collective dreams and fears and hopes, all projected on the silver screen for millions to discover and dissect, than to shine a spotlight on the Magic City’s own Lauren Cohen, Co-Director of Programming for the Miami Film Festival and the iconic Tower Theater Miami in Little Havana?
A Miami Beach native with a deep love of culture—including books and true crime podcasts—Lauren’s keen eye and sharp instincts have been enriching the Festival’s repertoire and legacy since her coming aboard the organization in 2014, helping to cultivate stronger connections between global filmmakers and passionate Miami cinephiles—not to mention the everyday movie lover who just happens to be lucky enough to live in the 305. (That would be me.)
Alongside the Festival’s affable Director of Programming Jaie Laplante, Lauren shapes the ever-expanding annual showcase’s overall ethos, content strategy, and creative direction, as well as guides the lineup of the Festival’s mid-season presentation, GEMS, which recently screened fall “jewels” like Spencer, Belfast, and Parallel Mothers.
Without further ado, hear from Lauren on her approach to programming strategy, her must-see “Miami movies,” and, of course, her 305 favorites.
MEET LAUREN COHEN, CO-DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMMING FOR THE MIAMI FILM FESTIVAL AND TOWER THEATER MIAMI.
On her earliest memory of sitting inside a movie theater:
Watching Pocahontas at the movie theater with all of my friends for my sixth birthday party.
On the movies that shaped her sense of imagination growing up:
Anyone who knows me knows that I’m absolutely obsessed with the movie Titanic, and that’s because it’s the movie that made me fall in love with cinema. I have such a vivid memory of sitting in the theater, watching that specific scene when the water suddenly rushes through the hallway as Jack and Rose are trying to save a little kid. It’s ingrained in my brain in such an indescribable and vivid way. I don’t think I’ll ever love a movie more.
On why Miami is such a compelling muse for filmmakers and storytellers:
I think South Florida is just so diverse, both culturally and scenically, and there’s so much history here that adds different dimensions to the city from decade to decade. Wild Things captures the sleazy, swampy backdrop of the Everglades with such a perfect, campy feel; and then you have films like Pain & Gain, Waves, Moonlight, There’s Something About Mary—all of them, in my opinion, capture something very authentic and real about Miami, and all of them feel like stories that either couldn’t be told somewhere else or would have been less effective films with a different setting. And I just love how all of these films share almost none of the same DNA or style as each other; they’re all unique, and all of them capture a different fragment of our crazy, vibrant, constantly-evolving city.
On the process of programming the Miami Film Festival and GEMS every year and what the “drawing board” for each looks like:
I think the programming process is a lot more organic than people usually think. A lot of it starts with attending other film festivals—such as the Toronto International Film Festival—seeing as much as possible, and then that kicks off the process in a really fast and intense way, because you see so many movies in such a short amount of time. Then it’s just a matter of doing a ton of research to see what else of interest is out there, watching screener links, and diving into the huge pile of submissions we receive. It’s a crazy process, but there’s no other job I’d rather do!
On her biggest contribution to the Miami Film Festival’s programming perspective:
When I started programming for the Miami Film Festival, a lot of my selections were somewhat under-the-radar films with a bit of an edge. I love thrillers and genre films, so I’m always really excited when I have the opportunity to bring those types of films to our audience. Some of my personal favorite films that I programmed are My Friend Dahmer, Burning, Wildlife, and Swallow.
On the biggest highlight from this year’s recent GEMS Festival:
I can’t pick just one! Showing Pedro Almodovar’s Parallel Mothers as our Opening Night film, followed by the absolutely amazing Opening Night party that was put together by the incredible ladies behind Fika Creative Group—there was a flamenco dancer, so much delicious food, and just such a real sense of excitement from everyone in attendance.
And then our Centerpiece screening of King Richard—I’ve been talking everyone’s ears off about this film because it’s really so special. Will Smith plays Venus and Serena Williams’s father, and it’s the most inspiring, feel-good movie. It’s such a happy tears sort of film, and it went on to win our Miami Film Festival GEMS Audience Award!
On her cultural diet:
I’m currently watching the Apple TV+ series The Shrink Next Door, starring Will Ferrell and Paul Rudd. It’s such a crazy true story, and Paul Rudd is so fantastic in it! I also recently rewatched The White Lotus, which I think is one of the best new TV shows to come out this year.
For books, I just finished reading Emily Ratajkowski’s memoir My Body, which is a really thought-provoking meditation on feminism, beauty, and the things that come along with the commodification of one’s image; and I’m currently reading The Collective by Alison Gaylin, which is a revenge thriller that I just can’t put down!
On a contemporary filmmaker whose trajectory intrigues her:
Cory Finley. His debut film, Thoroughbreds, is one of my absolute favorite movies, and his second film, Bad Education, is a very different type of film, but it’s a really impressive work that shows off his range. He’s already established himself as one of those filmmakers whose latest work I’ll never miss.
On planning a dinner party where she can only invite three filmmakers, living or dead:
I would invite Sofia Coppola, Greta Gerwig, and David Fincher.
On what she’s up to at 1 pm on a Wednesday:
I’m probably screening a film for Miami Film Festival consideration.
On where we find her at 10 am on a Saturday:
I’m drinking coffee while reading a twisty thriller.
On what we can expect at the 2022 Miami Film Festival next March:
I can’t say too much about the 2022 edition, but we’ll be bringing back our Hybrid version of the Festival, so you’ll have the opportunity to watch some of the films at home, as well as in the theater, which is really exciting!
On the one Miami Beach staple she’s thankful is still around:
On programming the (completely fictional) Lauren Cohen Film Festival, and what five true-to-her selections from any country and era she would screen:
Promising Young Woman, Before Sunset, Lost in Translation, Waitress, and The Voices. There are so many films that I could have included in this list, but I think this is the perfect mix of everything I really crave as a programmer. It’s so important to me to give a platform to female directors and to bring attention to female-focused stories. All of the films mentioned here are directed by super talented female directors, with the exception of Richard Linklater’s stunning Before Sunset.
Beyond that, my personal taste in film is a really strange mix of romantic, atmospheric works that feature a real sense of style and a strong screenplay, and then on the flip side, I frequently find myself gravitating towards bold films that contain much darker points of view, like last year’s Oscar-nominated Promising Young Woman and Marjane Satrapi’s underrated The Voices.
LAUREN’S MIAMI FAVORITES.
Miami anthem (current or classic!): “Miami” by Will Smith—no matter how many years go by, I just don’t think you can top this one!
Quintessential “Miami movie” or Miami-based film: The Birdcage. It’s one of my all-time favorite comedies, and it just perfectly captures the Art Deco District in South Beach during that time period.
Restaurants & bars: Katana; I’ve been coming here for as long as I can remember— you’ll often find me lined up 30-plus minutes before they open to make sure I get in for their first seating.
Pubbelly Sushi; get the Butter Crab Roll!
Andiamo Pizza; everyone needs to try their Portobello Pizza.
Lagniappe for wine and cheese platters.
Cafés, diners, bakeries, & ventanitas: For coffee, I usually alternate between Panther Coffee in Sunset Harbor, OTL in the Design District, and All Day in Downtown Miami.
For bakeries, I love Bettant Bakery in South Beach and Zak the Baker in Wynwood.
Cultural centers, art shops, performance groups & bookstores: For bookstores, there’s no place better than Books & Books in the Gables.
I’m really into theater and performing arts, and Miami has so many great companies! My favorites are Dance NOW!, Zoetic Stage, and GableStage.
Miami movie theater: Tower Theater Miami in Little Havana! I might be a little biased since I’m a programmer there, but it’s such a beautiful, historic space, and it features an incredible array of films and events.
We have special events like our SHOP SIP SCREEN series where we pair a nostalgic film—usually one with super iconic fashion—with a “shopping party” in the lobby that includes an open bar as well as a mini marketplace with local vendors; our Tower Talks series where local Miami filmmakers act as guest programmers for the evening; a track record of bringing films that go on to be Oscar contenders such as Free Solo, Minari, Sound of Metal, and so much more. We show movies every single day, and seeing films at Tower is just such a different experience than seeing things at a theater chain. It’s such a vibrant atmosphere, one that’s focused on cinema as an art form.
Shopping: Alice + Olivia—pretty much everything I wear to the Festival is from here. It’s my absolute favorite brand, and their store in the Design District is stunning! Also, Alo Yoga and Reformation.
Grooming: Gee Beauty; their “brow lift” eyebrow treatment is one of the best beauty treatments in the city! I also see Sean Donaldson Salon in Miami Beach for cut and color.
The recommendation you’ll always give to a first-time Miami visitor: Joe’s Stone Crab. It’s really as good as the hype, and it’s one of those places that’s so popular and iconic that I think it’s just as popular with locals and tourists alike.
THANKS, LAUREN!
Scoop top-tier film recommendations from Lauren at @laurencohenfilm, glimpse what’s on at Tower Theater Miami at @towertheatermiami, and stay tuned for upcoming programming and special events throughout the 2022 Miami Film Festival and GEMS by following @miamifilm. Cheers, cinephiles.
Until next time, un beso!