DENVER — In just a few weeks, the historic Esquire Theater will close its doors for good after showing films in Denver for 97 years.
Before the theater closes up shop, one filmmaker and Denver native hopes to give the Esquire a movie premiere to remember.
"I know what we have on our hands. We have a really special film," said H. Nelson Tracey, director of "Breakup Season."
It's not often movies debut in Colorado – but in a few days, "Breakup Season" premieres in Denver.
"It's about a guy who brings his girlfriend home to rural Oregon for Christmas to introduce her to his family for the first time. It does not go well at all, but it is Oregon in the winter, so she's stuck with his family for the rest of Christmas, and comedy, drama and heartbreak ensue," Tracey said.
Tracey lives in Los Angeles now, but grew up in Denver. He said he loved going to the movies with his family at the Esquire.
“I saw countless movies there with my mom because we lived very close by, so we walked there a lot, especially when I was a teenager," Tracey said. “My very first foreign film I ever saw was at the Esquire. It was a movie called 'Himalaya.' I was 8 years old. And then, on some kind of more mainstream fare, I remember seeing 'The Motorcycle Diaries' there, 'The Darjeeling Limited.' I saw '500 Days of Summer' there."
He hoped his movie could premiere at his hometown theater over the holidays. But news that the Esquire would close its doors in July came as a shock.
“And there was a lot of grassroots effort, there was a petition and there’s an Instagram page called 'Save the Esquire,' but it’s kind of all for naught, unfortunately," Tracey said. "And so I reached out to the theater and just kind of said, would we be able to do something here prior, knowing that on July 1, that’s it. And this was my last chance to do anything. I decided they gave me an available date on June 19 and I said, 'We’ll take it.'"
Tracey's been making movies for years. But "Breakup Season" is his directorial debut. His first movie will be one of the Esquire's last.
"I know, it's sort of a bittersweet thing because this is really the beginning of my filmmaking career. I'm just getting started. And that's sort of why I'm like buzzer beater, one last chance to play at the Esquire," Tracey said.
Still, he's ready to give family, friends and film lovers a reason to go to the movies here again, with everyone ready to see the lights go down and the movie begin at the Esquire one final time.
"It's going to be very emotional and truly, kind of a one-and-done. It's a story we'll be telling young people the rest of my life," Tracey said. "I'm very much looking forward to it."
"Breakup Season" premieres Wednesday, June 19 at the Esquire. The premiere is sold out, but there's a waitlist to join. Tracey said they expect to have a few extra tickets available the day of the premiere at the Esquire for people who come out.
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