NSU’s annual film series, The Reel, is wrapping up its seventh season by showing “Asteroid City” at 6 p.m. on March 21 in the Mailman-Hollywood Auditorium.
The movie is about a convention for junior astronomers in a desert town placed under quarantine.
COURTESY OF YAIR SOLAN Attendees of The Reel’s screening of “M3GAN” in September 2023 participated in a discussion led by Jeremy Weissman, assistant professor of philosophy.
The Reel has previously shown Hidden Figures, Jaws and M3GAN. Yair Solan, assistant professor of literature and film in the Department of Humanities and Politics, said student interest is a major factor in how The Reel chooses which films to show.
“In curating The Reel’s film programs, I try to select movies that would spark student interest and prompt engaging audience discussions. I aim for a mix of different genres and themes for a diverse set of films across the year, from Hollywood blockbusters to Oscar winners and international films,” Solan said.
Aileen Farrar, associate professor in the Department of Humanities and Politics, also shared that films are selected based on the diverse audience and discussion they can bring.
“We have selected films with the intent of making visible diverse values, rights and issues, and so oftentimes, the discussion helps to bring students of multiple disciplines and backgrounds together,” Farrar explained.
Farrar and Kate Waites, NSU emeritus professor of literature, founded The Reel in 2017.
“When we founded The Reel, we wanted to create a friendly environment where audiences could simultaneously enjoy film and have open discussions on important and current political and cultural issues,” Farrar said.
After Waites retired in 2021, Solan became a co-coordinator of The Reel alongside Farrar. By winter 2023, Solan was the sole coordinator.
After the screening of a film, NSU faculty members lead discussions on how it relates to film, philosophy, history, politics, legal studies and literature.
“The audience discussion opens up a space for attendees to offer their thoughts about the movie while bonding as a community over the shared experience of watching and thinking through a film together,” Solan said.
Those who attend the screenings are encouraged to bring any questions they have about the film.
“Altogether, these forums provide impactful settings where everyone can exercise, share and learn more about their personal and professional voices,” Farrar added.
The screening is co-sponsored by Fin Films and SAGE, NSU’s Society of Anime, Gaming, and Entertainment.
“The Reel usually partners with at least one or two student organizations for each program based on the film and the club’s focus,” Solan said.
Overall, The Reel series provides attendees free screenings of films throughout the academic year, with its discussions afterward giving the audience a voice for their viewpoints, guided by the expertise of the faculty hosts.
“Feel free to bring some friends to The Reel’s screenings and you might also meet some new friends at our shows,” Solan said.
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