LOST & FOUND IN CLEVELAND: The American Dream Gets Appraised in Nordonia This Week
This week, Nordonia and Northeast Ohio audiences have a special chance to see a homegrown, record‑breaking film on the big screen. LOST & FOUND IN CLEVELAND is playing Monday–Wednesday, November 17, 18 & 19 at B&B Theatres – Macedonia.
Described as “Best in Show” meets “The Wizard of Oz,” LOST & FOUND IN CLEVELAND is a heartfelt ensemble comedy that takes a funny, tender, and deeply human look at the post‑Industrial American Dream in the Industrial Midwest. Inspired by PBS’s beloved Antiques Roadshow, the film unfolds over a single 24‑hour period in Cleveland, as America’s favorite televised antiques appraisal show rolls into town.
Five very different people—each carrying their own hopes, regrets, and treasured objects—converge on this one event. They pin their dreams on the possibility that a family heirloom, a relic from the past, or a curious collectible might finally change everything. What they discover instead is that the true measure of their worth isn’t something that can be appraised.
The Wizard of Oz, Reimagined in the Rust Belt
During research at the McKinley Presidential Library and Museum, the filmmakers embraced the idea that The Wizard of Oz is an allegory for the American Dream:
- Scarecrow as the farmers,
- Tin Man as the factory workers,
- and Oz as the shimmering promise of something better.
In LOST & FOUND IN CLEVELAND, each of the five main characters becomes a modern counterpart to those archetypes—a cross‑section of contemporary America in the wake of deindustrialization. Instead of asking a wizard for a brain, a heart, or courage, these characters bring their prized possessions to a new kind of Wizard: the appraisers on a televised antiques show. They’re not just hoping for a high dollar amount; they’re searching for proof that their lives and stories matter.
The film gently suggests what many of us already know: no expert, no market, and no price tag can define our real value.
A Record‑Breaking Festival Favorite
Twelve years in the making, LOST & FOUND IN CLEVELAND has already proven to be a crowd‑pleaser far beyond its Northeast Ohio roots. The film sold out film festivals coast to coast, resonating with audiences who recognize themselves in its characters—people holding onto old dreams, old objects, and old promises in a rapidly changing world.
Its Midwest Premiere at the Cleveland International Film Festival became a milestone event. The screening didn’t just sell out; it shattered two 50‑year records, drawing an astounding 2,700 people to a single showing. For a film about Cleveland, made by filmmakers with deep ties to the region, breaking attendance records here at home felt especially meaningful.
That momentum has carried into a national rollout. LOST & FOUND IN CLEVELAND has been released in 500 theaters across the country, bringing its mix of humor and heartland honesty to audiences nationwide.
An All‑Star Ensemble with Heart
The film’s emotional power comes from an exceptional ensemble cast, including:
- Dennis Haysbert
- June Squibb
- Martin Sheen
- Stacy Keach
- Liza Weil
- Santino Fontana
- Esther Povitsky
- Loretta Devine
- Jon Lovitz
- Jeff Hiller
- Rory O’Malley
- Dot‑Marie Jones
- Yvette Yates Redick
- Benjamin Steinhauser
- and Mark L. Walberg, the real‑life host of Antiques Roadshow.
Together, they create a world that feels both distinctly Cleveland and universally relatable to anyone who’s ever chased a dream or wondered whether they still believe in it.
A Comedy with an Underlying Theme of Hope
At its core, LOST & FOUND IN CLEVELAND is a comedy with heart—the kind of film “Hollywood doesn’t make anymore,” and the kind of story audiences are craving. It’s funny and offbeat, but never cynical. While the antiques, appraisals, and oddities provide plenty of laughs, the film’s true subject is the resilience of everyday people.
In a culture obsessed with price tags, ratings, and rankings, this film gently insists that self‑worth can’t be measured in dollars. The objects we carry may be old, worn, or seemingly insignificant—but the stories behind them, and the people who carry them, are priceless.
For three days only, Macedonia audiences can experience this record‑breaking, crowd‑pleasing film on the big screen:
- B&B Theatres – Macedonia (Nordonia)
- November 17, 18 & 19
Whether you come for the comedy, the cast, the Cleveland connection, or simply to support original films in theaters, LOST & FOUND IN CLEVELAND offers a warm, funny, and hopeful night at the movies.
If you’ve ever wondered what your story is worth, this week is your chance to find out—right here in Nordonia.
You can also catch LOST & FOUND IN CLEVELAND in other cities—either way, check the link for showtimes and locations:
tickets.lostandfoundincleveland.com
