International Film Series

International Film Series

February 11, 2014
Free great movies on the big screen at University of Richmond

Written by Bob Draban

I have been going to the movies since I was in the first grade and was given permission by my mother to attend the Lincoln Theater for the Saturday matinee. A dime bought me a ticket for a nickel and my choice of popcorn, candy, or an ice cream for another nickel. Once, a year later, at the beginning of the Second World War I arrived at the box office only to find that on that day my money could not buy a ticket. The price was two pounds of scrap metal. I went around the corner to my Uncle Buddy’s and told him my woeful tale of not being able to see a movie. His advice to me: Walk down the alley and look for garbage can lids. They were made of iron in those days. Two or three lids gained me admission to that Saturday’s matinee.

Today I still go to the movies. But these days the cost of a ticket is more than a nickel and garbage can lids can no longer be used to gain admission. The cost of movies, as anyone who likes to see films on the big screen with an audience knows, is expensive, even with the senior discount. But in the mid-to-late 1990s I discovered a great source of movies for anyone that is not satisfied with seeing them on a small screen.  It’s the International Film Series, which has been sponsored by the University of Richmond for many years. Films are shown in the Ukrop Auditorium in the Robins School of Business on Fridays at 3 p.m. and 7:30 pm; and Sundays at 7:30 P.M. Check out the website at richmond.edu/international-film

A few of Academy Award-winning films that I have seen in the past: II Postino; Life is Beautiful; Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon; The Motorcycle Diaries; La Vie en Rose; Spirited Away, Mon Oncle; Cinema Paradiso; and Indochine. I rate all the movies that I watch and award up to four stars. Most of the pictures shown at the UR International Film Series are close to a three-star average.

If you enjoy watching quality movies at the best price in town, come join us on either a Friday or Sunday.