A Roaring Good Time:

Godzilla rampaged Concord’s own Marsh Hall in room A237 on August 20 to the 22. This savage attack marked the first viewing of the Fall semester, hosted by Concord’s Film Society. Occurring on Thursdays at 8 PM, Fridays at 3:30 PM, and Saturday at 6 PM, the Film Society strives to provide a pleasant end to most busy weeks here on the Campus Beautiful. 

Specializing in the obscure and unique, a film as well-known as Godzilla was something of an exception for the society, “We’ve actually just acquired a new blu-ray player and high-definition projector, so we wanted to pick a film that could really show off the full capabilities of our equipment.” says Dr. Charles Brichford, the Division Chair of English at Concord and sponsor of the Film society.  

The assortment selected by the group usually leans further toward the foreign, the dated, and the outright odd, “The Film Society began and continues out of student interest in movies that are difficult to see. Even with the prevalence of the internet, we still try to show movies you’d have to do a lot of digging to watch otherwise.” Brichford says. Throughout the semester, the Film Society strives to show a wide arrangement: usually including at least one documentary, silent film, and foreign film in one of the languages offered here on campus. 

“The society is made up of both passive and active members,” explains Brichford, “the passive members are just on the mailing list and kept up-to-date on the films to come, but the active members help run the projector and handle the equipment. If you want to be put on the mailing list, all you need to do is reply to the mass email about the Film Society expressing your interest." 

"Our group is designed for entertainment," says James Hoyle, President of the Film Society and their SGA representative, "We realize it's a small town, and there isn't much to do around here. So, we have interesting films to show that you can't find anywhere else." 

Hoyle is an advocate of the experience that comes with seeing a movie on a larger medium, as opposed to on a regular television. In light of the new equipment, he's sure the Film Society will only become more impressive, saying, "Epic movies are done a disservice on smaller screens. It's the difference between watching, say, "Return Of The King" on a laptop versus in theatres: all of the little nuances and effects get lost in translation." Hoyle has been a member of the society since his sophomore year, and runs the projector on Saturday showings. A fan of movies, he's found the experience to be a delight and would recommend it to any curious students. 

The Film Society acquires the films through SGA funding, usually purchasing close to 100 movies. "We only watch about twenty of them each year," says Brichford, "What's left over, we either donate to the library or watch at the beginning of the incoming semester." Two movies on the list are the classic, "Faust," and "The White Ribbon." Information on the incoming showings will be sent through the mailing list. While the rest of the films are to be determined, the Concord Film Society is excited to see new faces to match the new semester.