The Bowen Island Film Society debuts Friday, May 2 at the new Community Centre Theatre.
The not-for-profit society has been created by a group of Islanders who want to share their love of vintage films in a venue that recreates a night at the movies as it was experienced years ago. Henry Campbell, James Nesbitt, Brad Bernstein, Erin Olson, Mary Lynn Machado, Elizabeth Nankin and Michael Nankin have joined forces to present a bi-monthly series of screenings that will include shorts, cartoons and newsreels before the feature film.
There will be discussions and hand-outs to dig deeper into the films and their times. The movies may have adult themes but, due to the times and the tastes in which they were created, will be kid-appropriate, if not always kid-interesting. All movies will be pre-1970.
The society is dedicated to the idea that as we have moved from movies as a communal theatre-based experience to an at-home streaming experience, something has been lost. A theatre full of strangers who all laugh at the same time or are scared at the same time create bonds that strengthen the community. The society also feels that there are some great comedies, adventure films, crime dramas and a different kind of storytelling that modern films don’t deliver and should not be forgotten.
Another name for this series might be “Time Travel Cinema” and every effort will be made to evoke the year the film was released. Maybe even costumes!
The first screening will be a journey to 1937 with the film Captains Courageous, plus a few surprises. The society gratefully acknowledges the previous Bowen Film Society created by Cordell Wynne and friends.
Premiere screening: Friday, May 2. Doors open 6 pm. Doors close and show starts promptly at 6:30. Show will be over at 9 pm. Tickets available on the Bowen Recreation website or at the door by donation (suggested $10).
