Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Petaluma Film Alliance - 2013 Spring Cinema Series

And the successful hunt for classic film screenings in Sonoma County and beyond continues! I've uncovered a few more to save to my Outlook calendar this year.

Some Googling and clicking brought me to an organization I didn't even realize existed and I am so happy to discover ... The Petaluma Film Alliance is a partnership between Santa Rosa Junior College, community businesses and private individuals dedicated to building community through the art of film.

It appears the Alliance is responsible for two major contributions to the local cinema landscape: a Wednesday Night Cinema Series (yay!) and the annual Film Fest Petaluma, which features the best new short films from around the world. I'll have to read more about it, but the organization also mentions on its web site that they seek to engage young people with a Youth in Film program, providing students with a historical framework for understanding film and teaching them production skills. Sounds pretty cool.

But I'm all about just getting the word out there about the films you can see, and where you can see them. After reviewing the Alliance's screening lineup, it's apparent they fill out their schedule with "real" classic films from decades ago along with current films that seem pretty certain of securing a "classic" status in the future.

Since the Wednesday/Spring Cinema Series began in January, they've screened Moonrise Kingdom (2012), Breathless (1960), and Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012, screening tonight).

Pre-film lectures examine each film’s production history, including the players that brought the picture together, and highlights the techniques that will be showcased in the film. To subscribe to the Alliance's mailing list and receive updates about Alliance events, email your name to: info@petalumafilmfest.org.

The films are screened at the Carole L. Ellis Auditorium, SRJC Petaluma Campus, 680 Sonoma Mountain Parkway on Wednesday nights at 7 p.m. Pre-film lectures are at 6 p.m., and a post-screening discussion is held after the film, as well, until 10 p.m. Admission is $5 general, $4 students and seniors, and FREE for Alliance members. You can buy a series pass for $40. The box office is open from 5:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. on Wednesday nights.

Mark your calendars for these films coming up at the Petaluma Film Alliance throughout the remainder of 2013:

February 27: Anna Karenina (2012)
March 6: Children of Men (2006)
March 13: It Happened One Night (1934) - This is one of my top five FAVORITE FILMS of all time. Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert have an adorable chemistry; this is definitely one of the best romantic comedies of all time. Don't miss the chance to see this one on the big screen.
March 27: Sons of Cuba (2009)
April 3: My Own Private Idaho (1991) - A chance to see River Phoenix in his greatest role before his sad and untimely death.
April 10: Run Lola Run (1998) - OK, I usually only comment on classic films, but this German movie is fricking fantastic and blew my mind the first time I saw it about 10 years ago. It will take your breath away and keep you entranced the entire time.
April 17: Blue Velvet (1986) - The quintessential creepy David Lynch movie. You'll never listen to Roy Orbison the same again after seeing this bizarro and brilliant flick.
April 24: Seeking Asian Female (2012)
May 1: Dancer In The Dark (2000) - Lars von Trier and Bjork!
May 8: The Triplets of Belleville (2003)
May 15: The Graduate (1967)

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