Free movie night, anyone? Students, the campus community, and the public are all invited to sit back, relax, and then exchange views during a new historical film series starting this fall.
“Reel” History, a biannual film screening, will be held in the fall and spring semesters.
The history program and TV/Film department have joined forces to present the movies, followed by paneled discussions.
The first film, Norma Rae, is the 1979 account of a female textile factory worker who looks to improve working conditions through unionization.
The screening will take place on Wednesday, September 20at 7:00 p.m. in the Air Products Room in Trexler Library.
The spring film, Hidden Figures, is the true story of three African-American female mathematicians who worked for NASA and helped launch John Glenn into orbit during the heyday of the “space race” in the 1960s.
Each year, the films will center on a specific theme. This year’s theme is “Women Making History.”
“The idea with the theme is in many ways these are ordinary women,” says Sarah Nytroe, associate professor of history. “They’re not political figures. These are women in everyday circumstances and situations who are making choices and taking action to make history.”
After each film, a panel will delve into different areas of discussion, providing historical perspective, as well as insight into the nature of filmmaking and storytelling.
Audience members are encouraged to participate. “We want those who attend to be as much of the discussion, if not more than the panelists,” Nytroe says.
Nytroe had been toying with the idea of a film series for the past few years. She wanted to create something to encourage collaboration between different academic disciplines on campus, while also getting the local community involved.
“We’re all excited to see how this unfolds,” she says. “We know in the past — whether it’s programs from the Salesian Center or programs out of performing arts — across the campus community, there’s just this openness to cultural and intellectual events for the student population and the local community.”