PRAx inspires cinematic appreciation at “Free Film Fridays” – The Daily Barometer

Free Film Fridays, a new event at PRAx, will occur approximately once a month during the 2024-2025 school year. As the name suggests, attending these film screenings is completely free. They take place at the Detrick Concert Hall and start at 7:00 p.m

As a performing arts center at a land-grant university, PRAx seeks the balance between technology and humanity, and the film is a classic way to explore this connection.

“Cinema is, of course, an essential art form,” said Nadia Hagan, executive director of PRAx at Oregon State University. “When we think of the creative arts, we mean all of them, including new, experimental and emerging art forms and including cinema.”

In addition to the screening, distinguished film professor Jon Lewis, who selects the films, will introduce them and then lead an open discussion with viewers. Occasionally, a guest speaker with knowledge of the film’s topic will also join the discussions.

Many of the films are selected with current events in mind. The next Free Film Friday will be “The Manchurian Candidate.” on November 22, two and a half weeks after the 2024 election. David Bernell, associate professor of political science, and Rorie Solberg, professor of political science, will both moderate the discussions.

Darkside Cinema, Corvallis’ independent cinema, is partnering and co-hosting PRAx for these events. Darkside also offers students a discount on tickets to their theater. Current offers can be found here Here.

“We love Darkside Theater and want to encourage OSU and the community to support independent films and independent theater,” Hagan said.

More information about PRAx events, including the opportunity to receive free student rush tickets to performances, can be found here website.