Film lovers unite: Friday Movie Night at SoFTA kicks off with engaging discussions

24 Sep 2024

The highly anticipated premiere of SoFTA’s carefully curated “Friday Movie Night” took place on the evening of 20 September. The first academic screening featured Woody Allen’s classic comedy Bullets Over Broadway, set in 1920s New York, which tells the story of a playwright struggling between artistic ambition and commercial pressures.

The screening was held in the cinema on the second floor of the AS Building from 6 to 8 pm, with the venue packed to capacity. Professor Li-Chuan Evelyn Mai, Dean of SoFTA, along with several other faculty members, were in attendance. The audience consisted not only of SoFTA students and staff but also attracted a large number of students from other disciplines.

The film’s signature Woody Allen-style dialogue and tight narrative were a hit with the audience, who erupted into applause after the screening. Cheng Fang, Programme Director of Filmmaking, and Yiran Yu, who selected and introduced the film, engaged the audience in an interactive discussion, guiding them through an exploration of the film’s academic value and artistic significance. The atmosphere was lively, with animated discussions that not only deepened students’ understanding and appreciation of the film but also sparked critical reflection on the art of cinema.

After the event, students took to social media to share their viewing experiences, generating widespread attention and conversation.

This Friday Movie Night academic screening not only provided a visual feast for the audience but also fostered cross-disciplinary engagement. In the coming weeks, SoFTA will continue to screen more carefully selected films, and we look forward to seeing more students and staff from across the university join us.

 

by Wenzhen Li
Photos courtesy of SoFTA Faculty

24 Sep 2024