Movies in the Courtyard: Secret Mall Apartment @ Riff Raff Bookstore

Hey everyone! Movies in the Courtyard at Riff Raff Bookstore is back again. We figured why not ease into the weekend over a movie and couple drinks again this year. TLDR: Free outdoor movie screening of the documentary Secret Mall Apartment in the courtyard outside Riff Raff Bookstore. Bar opens at 7:30 - Film begins approx 8:30. Event likely to be busy. Recommended to bring a chair, cushion or blanket. Outside alcohol prohibited. Please reach out to bookstore if you want to bring food as they will be selling snacks. We recommend eating before or after the film. Event is weather dependent. Please check comments on the day to be safe. If you've been in Rhode Island for awhile, you've likely heard the story. Over twenty years ago back in 2003 (I still can't believe it's been that long...my beard is graying as I type this), eight Rhode Island artists established a hidden apartment within the newly built Providence Place Mall. Initially they intended for the project to highlight the increasing gentrification of the area following the mall's opening. However, when the friends were never caught they continued the project for a staggering four years! The apartment went from a simple unused gap in the mall's layout where they gathered, to a fully furnished apartment with electricity. Not to give spoilers, but they were so close to having a working shower before the game was up. The documentary Secret Mall Apartment was released in 2024 and did the rounds in the film festival scene, before its formal release event at the Providence Place Mall. The documentary currently has a 98% on rotten tomatoes. Eddie actually attended to premiere at the mall and enjoyed the film. Secret Mall Apartment does a great job of weaving in humor of how silly the situation became, but is also tasteful in the more serious topics such as gentrification and the downstream effects. The documentary not only showcases unseen footage taken by the friends at the time but interviews from the…