A film screening of the cult-classic Attack the Block will introduce a discussion about social movements at the Black Lives Matter-inspired event at The Athena Cinema.
Brian Cristi, the organizer of the movie screening, developed the idea following his attendance at a three-day socialism conference in Chicago, which covered "things they never taught you in textbooks."
Attack the Block will be shown at the Athena, 20 S. Court St., Thursday at 7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
The film is a science-fiction action-comedy. It takes place in South London where aliens are trying to take over a neighborhood occupied by a gang of teenagers. The movie received a "fresh score" of 90 percent for its “laughs and social commentary,” according to the Rotten Tomatoes website.
Rather than picking a film with a serious tone that solely deals with racial problems, Cristi said he chose a film that has more of an entertainment factor so the audience will “drop their guard down a little bit.”
It is $250 to rent a theater at the Athena, according to its website. Cristi said there are additional costs to receive the movie rights. To raise money for the event, Cristi started a Go Fund Me page. As of press time, he raised $365 out of $575 and said he will supply the remainder of the cost not covered by donations.
When he went to the conference, he felt the lecture-based event lacked art, which is why he chose to show a film to help the audience gain awareness about a social problem.
“Art is a completely different thing,” Cristi said. “It’s not about rationalism — it’s about how it makes you feel and emotions.”
Cristi said he hopes the movie acts as a “gateway event” that leads people to talk about larger problems.
“I wanted to do something positive to start a dialogue,” he said.
Following the screening, there will be a discussion led by Cedric Simmons, a senior studying screenwriting, about his experiences as an African American.
“Just being heard and being honest is what my goal is going to be (with the discussion),” Simmons said.
Simmons said the film adds a “liberal perspective” and is easy to expand on.
“I’m just looking forward to (seeing) how people connect to it,” Simmons said.
It has been a while since Simmons has seen the film and said he is “ready to see it with a jaded set of eyes,” after gaining life experience and being able to relate to aspects of the film.
Winsome Chunnu-Brayda, the strategic director for diversity and inclusion and multicultural programs and initiatives at the Multicultural Center, said she has only seen the trailer for the film but thinks the event is beneficial.
“I think it’s always important for students to go to events to gain alternative perspectives and engage in discussions that they otherwise would not have,” she said.
Chunnu-Brayda said she also is a “huge advocate” of using the arts and events led by students to discuss larger problems.
“I like when students generate events like these because sometimes the way students relate to their peers is different from the way they would with faculty or people in power,” Chunnu-Brayda said. “(The discussion) also brings a student lens, which in some respects, makes it more relatable for students.”
