International Movie Nights in East Somerville

By EastSomervilleMainStreets on Wed, Aug 27, 2008 3:28 pm

INTERNATIONAL MOVIE NIGHTS BACK, BUT WITH A TWIST

 

SOMERVILLE: After its successful premiere last year, East Somerville Main Streets' "Under the Stars: International Movie Nights" is back to turn Friday nights in September into film and cultural extravaganzas.

 

This year, residents and visitors will get an even greater taste of the movie nights' "host" countries—Brazil, India, and Italy—as each night will be transformed into a cinematic street party. Starting at 7:00pm, live music and entertainment, as well as vendors selling cultural foods, will set the moods for each of the nights, and at 8:00pm the movies will take to the screens.

 

"We wanted to give it a little kick this year. Add some festivity. Give people an opportunity to celebrate!" said Carrie Dancy, director of East Somerville Main Streets.

 

Brazilian Night will start off the series on September 5, beginning with a medley of Bossa Nova, Samba, Forró and other Brazilian music performed by singer/guitarist "Nando." The music will be followed by the evening's entree, a screening of the popular film, Deus é Brasileiro, starring the Brazilian favorite, Antônio Fagundes.

 

On Friday, September 12th, Indian Night will make its debut at movie nights. The evening will start off with DJ Vector spinning Indian Fusion music and will kick into full gear with the Bollywood classic, Paheli, India's Official 2005 Oscar Entry.

 

"In planning, we weren't sure if a Bollywood film could be pulled off because they have such a long format, but the movie nights committee decided that the fun of Bollywood signature music and dance was a perfect fit for the event," said Dancy.

 

The series will finish on September 19 with live accordion music and a screening of the 1996 Oscar Winning Italian classic, Il Postino. "We're coming back for another year of being with friends, family, visitors, and making it a tradition!" said Pina Mingace, last year's Italian Night MC and the owner of TLC Launders and Cleaners. "Everyone is welcome, no matter what nationality you are, but on Italian night, in your hearts, you belong to Italy. Benvenuti!"

 

Mingace, a native of Italy, and other East Somerville residents from diverse backgrounds have gotten involved in recommending their favorite films and planning the events, giving the movie nights an authentic flavor. "The idea of International Movies Nights isn't just an opportunity to watch a foreign film," said International Movies Nights Producer and East Somerville resident Matthew Martino. "It gives everyone the opportunity to explore a culture that is very influential right in their own backyard."

 

Looking at all of the enthusiasm these cultural evenings built up last year, Dancy added "With all of the neighborhood's energy for the movies in 2007, there wasn't a question about whether we would do it again. It's exciting to be kicking off the 2nd Annual International Movie Nights and seeing what new energy comes out of it," said Dancy.

 

In its second year, the three Friday movie nights will once again take place in the "Old Fire Station Cinema," a parking lot turned cozy theater behind the old fire station at the corner of Cross Street and Broadway.

 

The movie nights' team has been thrown one curve ball; the adjacent garages on Cross Street East, which formed one side of last year's theater, have come down. The team, however, is looking at these new developments as an exciting challenge for reinventing the space: "Last year the space was so transformed that local residents had a hard time recognizing it. The event wouldn't be fun if it were exactly the same each year. We're excited to unveil a brand new space!" commented Dancy.

 

For more details on the movie nights or for descriptions of the films, visit www.eastsomervillemainstreets.org, and see the blog. Or call 617.623.3869.

 

 

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