Potsdam’s Got The Cinema
New Screenings at Cinema 10
Are you tired of weekly screenings of “Despicable Me 4” and “Beetlejuice”? Look no further than Cinema 10, JS Cinemas seasonal series of movie screenings! On (almost) every Monday night this season, Cinema 10 is hosting one-off screenings of several independent and foreign films. Each film is handpicked by 11 dedicated volunteers influenced by the encouraging suggestions of North Country movie-goers.
Typically, Cinema 10 screens films released in the past year. However, the team managed to sweep in two film-buff classics: “American Graffiti” and “Nosferatu.” The former is the most accessible pick of the litter, especially for college students. The story follows a group of freewheeling highschoolers driving aimlessly on their last night of school. It’s remembered most as George Lucas’ big break before he made “Star Wars.” The chemistry between the actors is endearing, as is seeing how many big names (of the time) got their start in “American Graffiti” – Ron Howard, Harrison Ford, Richard Dreyfuss, Charles Martin Smith, Cindy Williams, Suzanne Somers and a very special Wolfman Jack cameo.
In contrast, “Nosferatu” is a straight-forward silent horror film. It has become a relic of filmmaking techniques and an elaborate makeup design that inspired hundreds of movie monsters to come.
As for the recent films, a few stand out. “Kneecap” is an uplifting comedy featuring Irish-language hip-hop beats from the titular Kneecap rap collective. This brazen piece of Irish pride derives from numerous native-speaking enthusiasts of contemporary alternative art. It is Ireland’s 2024 pick for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film, a pick which I am eager to see win. (The only current rival is Czechia’s “Waves.”)
Similarly, “La Chimera” has gained steam as Italy’s 2024 opus output. Josh O’Connor stars as Arthur, a ruggedly handsome man searching for his lost flame, Beniamina. Veronica Silvosa ’26, a Northwestern undergraduate studying film production, said of the movie, “It’s a quietly beautiful appreciation of the past.” I believe we should believe her words of wisdom since I have yet to see it.
As for the others, “Babes” and “Thelma” are the light-hearted comedies to see with friends if you want a happy cry. “32 Sounds” will earn you credibility with the music department while “20,000 Species of Bees,” “Evil Does Not Exist,” and “Ghostlight” will be perfect for a final Digital Media & Film essay.
The full list of film for the Fall 2024 season is as follows: September 16, “Kneecap” (Ireland, 2024); September 23, “La Chimera” (Italy etc., 2023); September 30, “32 Sounds” (US, 2022); October 7, “20,000 Species of Bees” (Spain, 2023); October 21, “American Graffiti” (US, 1973); October 28, “Nosferatu” (Germany, 1922); November 4, “Babes” (US, 2024); November 11, “Evil Does Not Exist” (Japan, 2023); November 18, “Ghostlight” (US, 2024); and December 2, “Thelma” (US, 2024).
Student tickets are $5.50 for an individual screening or $45 for the whole season. For more information or suggestions on movies for next season, contact coordinator Holly Chambers at hollyechambers@gmail.com.