Beyond Hollywood Film Series

From Arts in Guelph- November/December, 2003

by Anna Contini

The spotlight will be on international cinema as independent films from around the world are screened on four Saturdays throughout the 2003-2004 University of Guelph academic year. The free series, called Beyond Hollywood, is being sponsored by the School of English and Theatre Studies and Macdonald Stewart Art Centre. All screenings take place at the Art Centre and are open to the public.

The series is being curated by Paul Salmon, who regularly teaches film courses housed in the School of English and Theatre Studies, and Debra Henderson, a PhD student in the department, who has directed at the Toronto International Film Festival and the Canadian Film Centre.

Salmon and Henderson were invited to co-chair the series to expose people to films that they don't normally have access to. "We really wanted to give people an opportunity to see something different," says Salmon. He views the project as a type of "cultural outreach" and maintains that some of the best learning can take place outside the classroom in a casual relaxed atmosphere.

Beyond Hollywood kicked off on September 27 with a spotlight on Iranian Cinema. The next in the series will feature Scottish films and will take place Saturday, November 1. It will include screenings of Local Hero at 1 p.m., Shallow Grave at 3:30 p.m. and Stella Does Tricks at 7 p.m. "Scottish Cinema seemed a natural choice since Guelph has such a strong Scottish history," says Salmon.

In the new year, the series will feature Chinese cinema on January 24 and finally Canadian cinema on March 6. "We are inundated with American films and media," says Salmon, pointing out that many independent Canadian films are just not readily available to the public.

Beyond Hollywood offers audiences a refreshing change from mainstream film. It is an opportunity to be entertained and educated simultaneously - and as an added bonus, it's free!