They may not be blockbuster hits, but fans of independent films adamantly express their belief that the medium sheds light on an artistic aspect of cinematography often ignored by mainstream filmmakers.
To meet that specialized interest, The Athena, 20 S. Court St., in conjunction with the Ohio University School of Film, reinitiated the Art Film Series. It began Oct. 4 and continues through Nov. 15, and will feature a different independent film for the next seven weeks.
Though previous Athena owners held similar events, Matt Fields, the current manager, began hosting the series in Winter Quarter 2003. Because of conflicts with the Athens International Film and Video Festival, the Arts Series was discontinued in the spring.
Keith Bargen, an OU junior film major, said the loss of the series was sorely missed. We were all kind of upset that it left. We go like junkies trying to get our fix. Now that its back we're all excited and rarin' to go
he said.
Each film undergoes a screening process conducted by Ruth Bradley, director of Athens Center for Film and Video, and other faculty members with general expertise in film. As a result, each film is ensured to be of the highest quality, having been critically acclaimed.
Fields said this type of series satisfies an audience that is often completely ignored in other theaters. Athena employees wish to run independent films, but have found that such movies do not draw big enough crowds to play them every day.
This is the compromise Fields said. We play them twice a week and those that wish to see such movies can plan accordingly.
Movies will play Wednesdays at 7 p.m. and Saturdays at 1 p.m. This week's feature, The Magdalene Sisters, portrays the lives of Catholic women in 1960s Ireland who are compelled by their families and the church to purge themselves of sins. Based on a true story, the film shows the horrendous conditions of the Magdalene Sisterhood Convent, where the women were subjected to suffering and abuse conducted by the nuns.
The Arts Series will continue during Winter Quarter and possibly into the spring if there are no significant conflicts with the Athens International Film and Video Festival.
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Jason Kane
