By Davide Dicarolo
REXBURG — Brigham Young University-Idaho’s “International Cinema” continues Friday, May 31th at 7 p.m., at the Spori Building (035 Lecture Hall), with an original and inspiring Brazilian animated film: “Tito and the Birds.”
The bi-weekly event, supervised by Humanities and Art professor Michael Cornick, screens films from around the world. This semester’s catalog covers works from three continents, including a French-Belgian production, a must-watch Frank Capra classic, and a Chinese drama.
“We draw from every corner of the earth,” Cornick says, “We believe every nation has something to teach us.”
The program functions as an opportunity to foster cultural exchange between students, faculty, and the BYU-Idaho community. The cinema’s primary purpose is to provide an opportunity for viewers to gain further understanding and appreciation of other cultures and people.
Before each session, Cornick prepares the audience with a brief introduction, which usually covers the historical context and production details of the featured film. After the screening, he facilitates a Q&A session with the audience, encouraging an exchange of opinions.
“I would argue that the post-screening conversation is the most important moment of the experience,” says Cornick. “It’s the moment when we open up our eyes and understand each other.”
The films are projected in their original language while accompanied by English subtitles to preserve authenticity. During each viewing, the organizers rely upon the viewers to uphold a high behavioral standard.
