They’re a rare breed, and exist few and far between.

Even in today’s competitive market, drive-in theaters continue to have their distinct place in our society.

A documentary on how drive-in theaters survive will be shown Sunday at Becky’s Drive In, Route 248, Berlinsville.

The gates open at 6:30 p.m., and the documentary begins at 7:30 p.m. and lasts 105 minutes.

Admission is free for the documentary made in 2021 by filmmaker April Wright.

She filmed 11 drive-ins in 8 states and shows how drive-ins survive.

Becky’s Drive-In is included for a few minutes in the documentary from when Wright interviewed employee Dean Deppe making funnel cakes, and talking about the movie industry after COVID-19.

“This is a follow-up to another documentary that April had made years ago,” Deppe said. “It’s a follow-up to see the state of the industry.”

Deppe said when Wright interviewed him, he was making a funnel cake and she asked why it’s part of their concessions.

“It helps us because it’s something (a food) that people can’t bring in,” he said. “She asked about some of the operations that we have here, things that we do, that sets us apart from other venues and other drive-ins.”

Deppe said he shared his opinions on the theater business itself, what the impact of COVID was, and how the theater industry itself would go back to more mainstream title releases and it’s effect on the drive-in business.

“It’s nice that somebody’s taking a look at this because it’s kind of a unique business; the people that are in it just love the business because it is such a small niche of the business,” he said. “It’s something the family shares in the business, Becky’s and a lot of other drive-ins.”

Deppe said there’s just something about a drive-in theater that makes it special.

“There’s just a passion for showing movies outdoors like this, dealing with the relationships with the customers,” he said. “It’s a fun business.”