By Talia DeArmitt
The Scene staff
Students who enjoy filmmaking or just watching movies are invited to join a new club on campus.
The Forest Park Film Club formed this summer.
The idea is to give students a chance to discover movies from different genres and cultures, learn about filmmaking techniques and see some “really artsy-fartsy movies,” according to founding president Lea Bollinger.
“Movies have always been something that brings people together, and I felt that they could help build friendships and campus involvement,” she said.
“Starting the club kind of gave me the opportunity to create an inclusive community where everyone, whether they’re casual movie fans or interested in filmmaking, feels welcome.”
Lea Bollinger asked philosophy professor Jason Bollinger if he would serve as the club’s faculty adviser. She had noticed that he made a lot of movie references during his lectures.
“I thought I’d won the lottery,” Jason Bollinger said. “Yeah, it was fantastic. And we’ve been meeting once a week since then.”
Jason Bollinger is no relation to Lea Bollinger.
This summer, the club met on Tuesday afternoons in Room T-150 of the theater building. That schedule will change in the fall.
Each week, members pick a movie title out of a hat to be watched and discussed. Someone usually brings a snack.
“(Before the screening) we talk about the movie a bit, who directed it, when it came out, who was in it, sort of what it’s about,” member Odin East said. “And then the lights go off, and the movie starts.”
The group discussion that follows the screening often is guided by questions that Lea Bollinger has prepared.
“We’ll talk about different techniques, anything that stood out to us, and if there’s any foreshadowing, that sort of stuff,” she said.
Jason Bollinger said the club welcomes new members.
“The more the merrier,” he said. “If you come to two meetings, you are an official member, and you can write down the name of a movie and put it in our hat.”
For more information, send Jason Bollinger an email at jbollinger42@my.stlcc.edu.
Student Activities Specialist Tanya Carr, who helps oversee club activities at Forest Park, said the campus hasn’t had a film club since she began working in the Campus Life department in 2019.
“It’s always a good time,” East said. “We always have excellent conversations, and I would consider a lot of (club members) somewhat decent friends.”