Nice
Press!
We
thank George Bragdon for this article that appeared in the February
7th, 2003 issue of the BANGOR DAILY NEWS.
Group
Looks to Bring Diverse Films to Bangor
River City
Cinema Society ready to roll
By George
Bragdon of THE BANGOR DAILY NEWS staff
Have you or someone you know ever
suffered from multiplex malaise? A feeling of being simultaneously
shocked at cinema prices while being bored with the relentless barrage
of Hollywood dreck? If so, you're not alone. River City Cinema
Society, a newly formed group, has been working to ease this
ailment for filmgoers in Greater Bangor.
“We fully want to bring diverse, high-quality films to the
Bangor area,” explained River City Cinema Society principal member Barbara
Clark.
Frustrated by the limited selection of films shown in the Bangor area, a small
group—including Clark and her husband, David, Jorge and Kathy Gonzalez,
and later Michael Grillo and Sandra Johnson— formed the society, which
strives to bring independent, art, foreign and documentary films to the area,
film genres which often have difficulty finding their way to screens in Bangor.
In addition to programming these films, the group plans to hold
discussions and film-related educational events.
At 7 p.m. today, the group will hold their first screening of the controversial
documentary The Trials of Henry Kissinger at Movie City 8 in Bangor.
The provocative film examines the actions and accountability of one the most
powerful men in the history of U.S. foreign policy. After the film, Vinh-Long
Ngo, University of Maine professor of Asian history, will give an analysis
of the film's condemnation of Kissinger. River City Cinema Society principal
member and UM art historian Michael Grillo will introduce the film and moderate
the discussion.
The society, through its partnership with Movie City 8, which shows
the selected films, has in past months brought acclaimed films such as Bowling
for Columbine, Frida and Gangs of New York to Bangor.
Although the society doesn't have its own exhibition space,
the organization's long-term plan includes opening their own two-screen theater
and cultural center. A nonprofit organization awaiting approval for tax-exempt
status, the society is supported by charter memberships and donations.
For membership information, write to River City Cinema Society, P.O. Box 8347,
Bangor 04402-8347. For film information, or to take the Society's online survey,
visit www.rivercitycinema.com.
Tickets for the tonight's showing
are $10, which includes the discussion and refreshments. Tickets for
all other River City Cinema Society screenings through the week are
$6 at Movie City 8, 268 Odlin Road, 941-0000.
©2003 Bangor Daily News, used
with permission. |
