The society is open to all, showing films in original languages.
Looking for an interesting film? The modern languages and literatures (MLL) department recently launched a film society, screening German, Spanish, French, and Japanese cinema in the original language with English subtitles.
Émile Levesque-Jalbert, an assistant professor of French at Mt.A, started the initiative to “create opportunities for students to engage with the different cultures that we teach.” Screenings are open to anyone curious, including students and staff. The society meets every second Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Ralph Pickard Bell Library theatre.
Levesque-Jalbert hopes to use this society as a bridge into the languages’ cultures. Because the films are subtitled, learners at all levels can engage with the language. “It’s an opportunity for beginners to immerse themselves and expose themselves to the language,” Levesque-Jalbert said. “And it’s an opportunity for more advanced students to learn more about the culture and study film and cultural production.”
The screenings are not tied to coursework, allowing the film society to be an optional addition to what students are learning. Levesque-Jalbert has chosen the lineup so far, picking recent releases that “speak to contemporary interests and concerns.” However, he hopes that as the society grows, students and other faculty will start suggesting titles. “I’m always open to suggestions, so that it becomes a real film society, a collaborative effort,” he said.
“I wasn’t expecting students to be as interested in the film society,” Levesque-Jalbert said when asked about the turnout. Staff members have also been showing up to the screenings. “It gives me good energy and hope that it will continue longer.”
Students who spoke to The Argosy said word of mouth and social media were the primary ways the society had spread across campus. One saw a post on Instagram, and others were invited by friends and professors.
One of the society’s attendees, Natacha Patrick-Vienneau, is an executive member of the Modern Languages Society. “The idea of having more opportunities to see film in various different languages” is exciting, they said. Especially for films that aren’t “always super local.”
Patrick Vienneau’s favourite screening so far was Lumière, le cinéma!, a French film exploring the evolution of cinema. “It delved into these little intricacies of filmmaking,” they said. “Which was fun for me because I’ve always been interested in film.” Their comment mirrors Levesque-Jalbert’s hope for the society to be a bridge, with language understood through a medium that students already love.
Levesque-Jalbert said his larger goal is for the society to outgrow him. He hopes more students get involved by promoting screenings, designing posters, and picking films. “I think it will become less of a ‘me’ initiative and more of an ‘us’ initiative,” he said. “So that it becomes more resilient and less dependent on one person.”
The film society is not the only new program from the MLL department. Levesque-Jalbert also started a second initiative this semester called Goûter Francophone. It is a space for people who want to practise their French or speak to other Francophones. While aimed at French and French-speaking students, it is also open to the Mt.A community and beyond. It meets every Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in room 318 of the Crabtree building.
Meeting and screening details for both initiatives are posted on the MLL department’s Instagram and Facebook pages.