What’s your name?
Mark Plichta

Something fun about yourself?
In addition to loving movies, I love bicycling. I ride with my friends on everything from short local rides up to “century” (100-mile) rides, including rides throughout Wisconsin, plus rides in destinations like Napa, Hawaii and Mallorca, Spain.

Tie-in to my movie pick: I am also a history buff. In 2025, my wife, Anne, and I visited Vienna and Prague. During a tour of Vienna, we visited some of the buildings that were settings for The Third Man in 1949. I have a picture of me in the doorway from a key scene of the movie, wearing a Door County Century (bicycle ride) T-shirt, combining my interests.

What’s your relationship with Milwaukee Film?
I joined the Board of Directors of Milwaukee Film in 2025. I have been escaping to the Oriental Theatre and Downer Theatre since I was 22 years old and lived on Prospect and Bradford—a short walk from either theater.

What’s your favorite thing about being on the board?
I didn’t fully appreciate the film festival until I joined the Board and immersed myself in the festival experience. The movies are great, but it is fun to meet so many cinephiles who are friendly and happy to talk about movies, even if I we have just met.

What movie did you pick?
The Third Man

When did you first see said movie?
I am embarrassed to say it was only about five years ago. It was long on my bucket list, but I finally saw it and fell in love with it. I guess it’s never too late to try a movie.

Who is your favorite actor/actress in your movie and why?
Joseph Cotton. I enjoy his understated and realistic acting style, even when he is acting in a “big” movie like Citizen Kane or when he is playing a villain. His style also allows his co-stars and supporting actors plenty of opportunities to shine in their interactions with him, even while he anchors a movie, like in The Third Man or Shadow of a Doubt.

In ten words or less, tell us why we HAVE to see this movie!
Shadows, angles, cinematography! Post-war Vienna! Joseph Cotton! Zither music!

Okay, expand on that: Why did you make this your board pick?
I think my nine words cover it pretty well, and I am afraid of spoiling anything for anyone who will be lucky enough to watch this movie for the first time.

Any words of wisdom you’d like to impart?
Sometimes less is more. In movies and in life, patience and silence can be virtues.

Join Mark and the rest of Milwaukee at our one-night-only screening of THE THIRD MAN, Saturday, June 6 at 7 PM at the Oriental Theatre. Tickets on sale now!