Petaluma Cinema Series

Petaluma Cinema Series offers an array of classic, foreign and independent films

The Petaluma Cinema Series presents a screening of "Easy Rider" on Wednesday, Sept. 8.

Published: Thursday, September 2, 2010 at 11:25 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, September 2, 2010 at 11:25 a.m.

Want to catch a good movie — a really good movie? In case you're looking for something different from the films mainstream Hollywood is cranking out these days, the Petaluma Cinema Series may have what you're looking for.

Facts

PETALUMA CINEMA SERIES

What: The Petaluma Film Alliance presents a series of weekly film screenings through Dec. 8.
Where: Carole L. Ellis auditorium on the Santa Rosa Junior College's Petaluma campus, 680 Sonoma Mountain Parkway.
When: The pre-film lecture begins at 6 p.m., followed by the screening at 7 p.m. A post-screening discussion continues until 10 p.m.
Admission: $5 general, $4 seniors and PFA members; $40 for the series. Parking is $20 for the series.
Information: www.petalumafilmfest.org.
CINEMA SERIES FILMS
Sept. 8: “Easy Rider”
Sept. 15: “Tetro”
Sept. 22: “Rashomon”
Sept. 29: “The Hudsucker Proxy”
Oct. 6: “Citizen Kane”
Oct. 13: “Velvet Goldmine”
Oct. 20: “Midnight Cowboy”
Oct. 27: “The Shining”
Nov. 3: “Off Beat”
Nov. 10: “Gun Crazy”
Nov. 17: “Mulholland Drive”
Dec. 1: “Roger & Me”
Dec. 8: “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory”

Now in its second year, the Petaluma Film Alliance's Cinema Series showcases classic, foreign and independent films each week Sept. 8 through Dec. 8 in the Carole L. Ellis Auditorium on the Santa Rosa Junior College Petaluma campus.

The Petaluma Film Alliance is a grassroots partnership between Santa Rosa Junior College, community businesses and individual members to organize and promote a community cinema series on campus, as well as a Petaluma Film Festival during the spring.

The PFA is centered on the SRJC Petaluma campus and operates as a nonprofit program of the SRJC Foundation.

“This is our third season of films, but we're in our second year,” said Traina, director of the PFA and a film instructor at the Santa Rosa Junior College Petaluma campus. “We started the series last fall and had a spring series this year. We've had a really good reception to the series. Last year, we had about 25 hard-core regulars that came to almost all 30 shows. Half the audience are students enrolled in a film class and the other half is the public that comes. I'm pleased to say that many eastside residents walk over to see the films, so it's offering some neighborhood culture for the east side.”

The series features a variety of films from different genres, including the 1950 Japanese film, “Rashomon,” by director Akira Kurosawa. The classic art-house film tells the story of an encounter in the woods between a bandit, a samurai and woman that ends in murder. Kurosawa's film has observers recalling the event from differing points of view.

Another foreign film in the lineup is “Off Beat” by German director Hendrik Hölzemann. The film is about a young paramedic striving to overcome a childhood trauma. Hölzemann will be attending the screening and be present for discussion of the film.

Other films being screened include classics such as John Schlesinger's “Midnight Cowboy” (1969), Orson Welles' “Citizen Kane” (1941) and Dennis Hopper's “Easy Rider” (1969).

Newer films in the mix include David Lynch's “Mulholland Drive” (2001), Michael Moore's documentary, “Roger & Me” (1989), and Francis Ford Coppola's 2009 film, “Tetro.”

“This is Coppola at his best,” said Traina. “Producer Anahid Nazarian and cinematographer Mihai Malaimare will be attending the screening and discussion of the film.”

In time for Halloween, the series presents a screening of Stanley Kubrick's classic horror film, “The Shining,” which is based on the novel by Stephen King.

In December, there will be a screening of the family-friendly film by Mel Stuart, “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.”

“This is the original film, with Gene Wilder,” said Traina. “For the series, we really try to offer a variety of films so there is something for everyone.”

All screenings begin with a pre-film lecture at 6 p.m., followed by the film at 7 p.m. A post-screening discussion continues until 10 p.m.

“People can come to the lecture or just come to see the film,” added Traina.

Tickets are $5 general, $4 seniors and PFA members and $40 for the series. Parking passes are $20 for the series or can be purchased individually for each screening.

For more information on the Petaluma Cinema Series, visit www.petalumafilmfest.org.

(Contact Yovanna Bieberich at yovanna.bieberich@arguscourier.com)

Want to catch a good movie — a really good movie? In case you're looking for something different from the films mainstream Hollywood is cranking out these days, the Petaluma Cinema Series may have what you're looking for.Now in its second year, the Petaluma Film Alliance's Cinema Series showcases classic, foreign and independent films each week Sept. 8 through Dec. 8 in the Carole L. Ellis Auditorium on the Santa Rosa Junior College Petaluma campus.The Petaluma Film Alliance is a grassroots partnership between Santa Rosa Junior College, community businesses and individual members to organize and promote a community cinema series on campus, as well as a Petaluma Film Festival during the spring. The PFA is centered on the SRJC Petaluma campus and operates as a nonprofit program of the SRJC Foundation.“This is our third season of films, but we're in our second year,” said Traina, director of the PFA and a film instructor at the Santa Rosa Junior College Petaluma campus. “We started the series last fall and had a spring series this year. We've had a really good reception to the series. Last year, we had about 25 hard-core regulars that came to almost all 30 shows. Half the audience are students enrolled in a film class and the other half is the public that comes. I'm pleased to say that many eastside residents walk over to see the films, so it's offering some neighborhood culture for the east side.”The series features a variety of films from different genres, including the 1950 Japanese film, “Rashomon,” by director Akira Kurosawa. The classic art-house film tells the story of an encounter in the woods between a bandit, a samurai and woman that ends in murder. Kurosawa's film has observers recalling the event from differing points of view.Another foreign film in the lineup is “Off Beat” by German director Hendrik Hölzemann. The film is about a young paramedic striving to overcome a childhood trauma. Hölzemann will be attending the screening and be present for discussion of the film.Other films being screened include classics such as John Schlesinger's “Midnight Cowboy” (1969), Orson Welles' “Citizen Kane” (1941) and Dennis Hopper's “Easy Rider” (1969).Newer films in the mix include David Lynch's “Mulholland Drive” (2001), Michael Moore's documentary, “Roger & Me” (1989), and Francis Ford Coppola's 2009 film, “Tetro.”“This is Coppola at his best,” said Traina. “Producer Anahid Nazarian and cinematographer Mihai Malaimare will be attending the screening and discussion of the film.”In time for Halloween, the series presents a screening of Stanley Kubrick's classic horror film, “The Shining,” which is based on the novel by Stephen King.In December, there will be a screening of the family-friendly film by Mel Stuart, “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.”“This is the original film, with Gene Wilder,” said Traina. “For the series, we really try to offer a variety of films so there is something for everyone.”All screenings begin with a pre-film lecture at 6 p.m., followed by the film at 7 p.m. A post-screening discussion continues until 10 p.m.“People can come to the lecture or just come to see the film,” added Traina.Tickets are $5 general, $4 seniors and PFA members and $40 for the series. Parking passes are $20 for the series or can be purchased individually for each screening.For more information on the Petaluma Cinema Series, visit www.petalumafilmfest.org.(Contact Yovanna Bieberich at yovanna.bieberich@arguscourier.com)

Petaluma Cinema Series