The Charles Theater is starting in March a Sunday Cinema Club that will offer members a sneak preview of a new art film and a lively post-screening discussion led by a critic or filmmaker. Gourmet coffee, bagels and pastries are part of the bargain.
Modeled after successful cinema clubs in New York, Washington and Toronto, the Charles' version will be administered by George Udel, a long-time cinema buff and former publicity associate at the Charles.
"The cinema club idea puts together something I've been hoping to do for years -- re-creating the film-going excitement of the '50s, '60s and '70s," Udel says. "To sit down with a group of like-minded people, see a good film, air our views about it, especially with someone who's quite knowledgeable, and to do so over coffee and pastry, is my idea of film heaven. I can hardly wait."
The point of the exercise is the surprise. The audience will not know in advance which film will be screened. The film will, however, be a first-run American independent or foreign feature being shown before its premiere in the Baltimore area.
The second point is to see the film before publicists have begun the hype and before critics have published reviews, thus framing the terms of the debate.
The Charles' series will begin with a three-film series on March 5, 12 and 19. The doors will be open at 10 a.m. and the screenings will begin at 10:30. The mini-series subscription is $30. Individual tickets will be $13, if available.
For more information call Udel at 366-3029.