Atlantic Cinematheque starts Jan. 31

The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia and FIN Atlantic International Film Festival have partnered to launch the Atlantic Cinematheque, presenting films that focus on works by Atlantic Canadian filmmakers.

The FIN Fridays series will feature films by Atlantic Canadian filmmakers and about Atlantic Canada that will screen in the gallery’s Windsor Foundation Theatre on the last Friday of every month, beginning Jan. 31 at 7 p.m.

“A partnership with FIN is a natural fit for the gallery,” said Colin Stinson, director of marketing and visitor experience at the downtown site, in a news release.

“This monthly film series will bring something new to Halifax, giving movie fans a new way to experience great locally produced films. Working together gives us a new way to bring people together and connect them through art.”

Previously, the gallery partnered with FIN to present a series of art-related films at FIN Atlantic International Film Festival. This series included a screening of It Was All So Wonderful: The Everyday Magic of Mary Pratt by Newfoundland and Labrador filmmaker Kenneth J. Harvey, and a pair of films by artist and filmmaker Althea Thauberger, including Mad Mad Mad Mad Filmy World, which is part of an exhibition celebrating her work now on view at the gallery.

“Together, we are creating a platform to showcase films made locally that may not have been screened to Halifax audiences before,” said Wayne Carter, executive director of FIN, in the release.

“By pairing these films with a dedicated venue that already celebrates the people and culture of Atlantic Canada through art, it gives audiences the opportunity to experience the works of great local talent on the big screen in a space where they can also interact with more great art after the credits roll.”

The first film to be screened as part of the partnership is Perfume War (Michael Melski, 2016, 95 minutes, PG).

Perfume War is a documentary about two friends and their fight for world peace. Capt. Trevor Greene’s mission in Afghanistan ends violently with a Taliban axe in his head. Miraculously, he survives to see his best friend, Barb Stegemann, a single mom, carry on his peace mission with a new strategy – perfume.

Entry to the films will be included in the cost of admission to the gallery.