Movie nights create community through culture and cinema

Twelve years in the making, students still enjoying monthly movie night.

By Mariam Mkrtchian, Staff Writer

On the third Friday of every month, a corner of Valley transforms into a movie theater. The lights

dim, the scent of homemade dishes fills the air, and students settle in not only to watch a movie, but to travel across cultures. Here, film becomes its own language, formed through shared laughter, food and friendships.

Hosted by the Department of World Languages and Cultures, these free movie nights invite students, staff, friends, and families to celebrate the beauty of different cultures one film and delicious bite at a time.

Valley’s Spanish Professor, Eliecer Almaguer, describes the event as “a multisensory celebration of language, culture and human connection.”

This long loved tradition began twelve years ago, initially created by German professor Vic Fusilero and French professor June Miyasaki. The films were originally shown in French, German, Italian and Spanish, but after the retirement of the Italian professor, Italian films are now screened through Zoom.

Don’t speak the language? Each movie is always shown with English subtitles, ensuring that all students can fully enjoy the experience.

Each semester, the movies revolve around a specific theme. This semester, the theme is “unusual or singular friendships,” allowing students to reflect on the complexities of human connection through cinema.

“It is a moment in which professors gather with their students, eat together, converse, and share stories and laughter,” says Professor Almaguer.

The night kicks off at 6 p.m, giving guests the opportunity to try new food and mingle before the film starts. The professors cook for the students, preparing dishes that represent the flavors of the culture taught. Department chair Professor María Zamudio brings food from the variety of Mexican cuisine, while Professor Almaguer prepares Cuban dishes that reflect his childhood. 

“Sometimes I give them improvised names,” he says, “like Cuban fritters filled with grandmother’s love, because that is, in essence, what the students taste: a small piece of home in another language.”

After the pandemic’s long stretch of isolation, Almaguer emphasizes the importance of this event. “This initiative has become more important than ever, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic forced most of our classes online.”

October’s lineup did not disappoint. The most recent movie night took place on October 24th, when Spanish students watched a film released in 1999 titled, “The Butterfly’s Tongue” (La lengua de las mariposas). The movie revolves around an unlikely friendship between a student and his teacher during the months that lead up to the Spanish Civil War. The film focuses on the power of education, freedom of expression, and the societal threats that come with war.

Meanwhile, French students watched “My Afternoons with Margueritte” (La tête en friche), which

explores the friendship between Germain - a man with a lack of education - and Margueritte, an elderly woman who loves reading. Through books and conversations in the park, the film shows the power of words, serving as a reminder that life-changing friendships can appear when least expected.

Finally, German students enjoyed “Toni Erdmann,” which explores the complex relationship between a father and daughter trapped in a severely routined lifestyle. With a mixture of sadness and humor, the contrast between the two family members reminds the audience of the value of authenticity.

Whether you’re a student taking a foreign language, or a film lover, Valley’s movie nights are open to everyone. Grab your friends and head over on Friday, Nov. 21 in FL 105 for the next cinematic adventure.