Searching for Mr. Rugoff (2019) Plot Summary Explained

Release, runtime and language

2019 · 94 mins · English

Echo score 89

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Starring

Robert Downey Sr., Bill Thompson, Sarah Kernochan, Robert Shaye, Tom Ropelewski, Bea Brydson

This documentary explores the life and legacy of Donald Rugoff, the unconventional and often challenging figure behind Cinema 5, a mid-century theater chain and film distributor. Known for his bold and sometimes outrageous marketing tactics, Rugoff played a crucial role in bringing art films to a wider audience. Despite his significant impact on American cinema, from studio classics to the independent film movement, he has largely faded from public memory. Through the perspective of former employee Ira Deutchman, the film investigates Rugoff's disappearance and attempts to understand how such an influential figure could be forgotten.