Foreign, classic and new independent films featuring several guest filmmakers and Oscar nominees take over Carole L. Ellis Auditorium Wednesday nights at the SRJC Petaluma campus in the Petaluma Film Alliance’s (PFA) fourth Cinema Series season.
The first month of the 15-week season is aimed at developing an advanced appreciation for film, followed by a systematic look into such essential aspects of film-making as sound, acting, editing, cinematography and production design. The final five weeks will examine special topics such as film festivals, film noir and animation, said Michael Traina, director of PFA.
Lectures by guest filmmakers, Oscar nominees and Traina will precede each film. Post-film discussions invite attendee participation and contribution. “We have created an open forum, similar to a book club, where people can share ideas about important contemporary and classic cinema,” Traina said.
Attendance consistently tallies 150 people, even more when special guests like Oscar-nominated Bay Area director/writer Frederick Marx are in attendance. On Feb. 9 he will present his new documentary “Journey from Zanskar,” which relays the journey of 17 children led by two Tibetan monks whose quest is to secure the education of these children and preserve the ancient Tibetan language from extinction.
“Getting back to Sonoma always feels good, like a piece of home,” Marx said. One of his favorite things about sharing his work with audiences is hearing them describe their reactions and interpretations to him. “I’m always delighted when I hear new things, learn new interpretations of my own films.”
Jacqueline Zünd will present and discuss her new documentary, “Goodnight Nobody,” March 16. The film peers into the constant waking state of four insomniacs from around the world whose line between reality and dreams remains blurred.
Oscar-winning film and sound editor Walter Murch, who worked on acclaimed films such as “Apocalypse Now,” “Ghost,” “The Godfather” and Orson Welles’ “Touch of Evil,” will present “The Conversation,” a Francis Ford Coppola film. Murch’s extensive sound and film editing knowledge will make for a great presentation and post-film discussion on April 13.
Lectures introducing each film begin at 6 p.m. and the films begin at 7 p.m., with a post-film discussion in an open format closing out the night around 10 p.m. The lecture and discussion are not mandatory; anyone unable to make the introduction or wishing only to see the film may do so. However, attending both is recommended for an enhanced viewing experience.
“Pre-film lectures are designed to enhance the audiences’ appreciation and understanding of the film by examining the film’s production history, learning about the players that brought the picture together, and examining the film techniques that will be showcased in the feature,” the PFA website says.
Admission is free to Associated Students members, $4 for seniors and PFA members, $5 general admission. An individual Cinema Series season pass costs $40, and a season parking pass $20.
Additionally, PFA will again put on the highly successful Petaluma Film Fest that hosted more than 1,000 people and sold out prime-time shows at the historic Mystic Theater. All are welcome and encouraged to submit entries. The Film Fest exclusively exhibits films that remain undistributed, “films you can’t see anywhere else,” Traina said. This year PFA will attempt to add a special morning program for kids and families.
For more information or questions regarding the Cinema Series or the Petaluma Film Fest, visit PetalumaFilmFest.org.
The Santa Rosa Junior College Student Film Festival’s call for entries ends March 1. It is open to all Sonoma County students and the top high school and college films will be considered for entry into the Petaluma Film Fest.