Casting call for film buffs by likeminded to launch club
P forrobing the Imperial Valley consciousness to discover if a desire small, independent films exists, local film maker Bret Kofford hosted an open call for movie fans to gage support for a film club Saturday.
Kofford, also an instructor at San Diego State University – Imperial Valley campus met with a group of 10 film enthusiasts at the State Street Coffee House to try to build an audience for the type of movies that win film festivals, Academy Awards and critical acclaim.
Kofford remarked last year, “Moonlight” winner of three Academy Awards including Best Picture, played just a week in the Valley. And another Academy nominee “La La Land” Kofford saw in Palm Desert.
“I’d like to see the Valley become a better place culturally,” said Kofford. “Maybe a group could spur a taste for movies like ‘Manchester by the Sea’ or ‘Lion.’”
He then inquired of his audience whether it is possible to convince a local theater owner to reserve one of their halls to show a local or independently produced movie. Roy Dorantes, KYMA TV reporter and film maker himself, suggested they find an intimate space where a dozen people could enjoy a movie and then discuss it.
“When I showed my film, “Killing Chavez” in Calexico I had to guarantee an ‘X’ amount of pre-sold seats and there is also a problem of some theaters that have contracts to screen Hollywood productions,” he recalled.
Local resident Rosalinda Singh noted if the idea is to get a small group together to watch a movie, an intimate space is easier and cheaper to obtain then space in a theater or community center, yet neither idea need be mutually exclusive and one format could evolve to another.
Simona Deaciuc, another fan, urged to make screenings free but then questioned about whether young people would attend foreign films with subtitles.
“With subtitles you still get the flavor of the language and original meaning through intonation,” added Dorantes.
“I hope to also include people 18 to 25,” said Kofford. “I showed ‘Moonlight’ to my students and they were talking about it a week later. I’ve nothing against blockbusters but I want to bring in independent films. The whole idea of a movie night is to promote good films as an art form. Mexicali had a strong film group for a while but it folded.”
Singh worried aloud if the group aimed too small and a crowd of 30 appeared at an intimate space it may become overcrowded and poorly planned logistics could discourage potential supporters. “It would be better to screen it during the week and take a recess for the summer when so many leave town,” she said.
Kofford suggested the club name could be determined by affirmation of attendees. He still needs to line up a space but he hopes the first screening could happen by the end of the month.
“We’ll let people know through social media and the IVPress,” he said. “We’ll start off with maybe 10 people, but I do not want to run the club but foster it.”