Free drive-in movie series has diversity on its mind

Actor Michael B. Jordan offers showings of ‘Black Panther,’ ‘Crazy Rich Asians’

Michael B. Jordan’s Outlier Society has partnered with Amazon Studios to launch “A Night at the Drive-In,” a nationwide series of free film screenings that celebrate “multicultural voices in cinema.”

The series begins Wednesday at multiple drive-ins, including two Northern California locations — Solano Drive-In in Concord and the Sacramento Drive-In. The series will feature double features curated by Jordan, screening every other week through the end of August.

“With this drive-in summer series, I hope that friends and families are able to not only enjoy, but to learn and grow with,” says Jordan, who starred in “Fruitvale Station,” “Black Panther,” “Creed” and other films. Outlier Society, Jordan’s production company, has vowed to bring new and varied voices to film and has signed a development deal with Warner Bros.

“Now more than ever, amplifying Black and Brown stories means engaging culture to speak to hearts and minds about the world we live in,” Jordan said. “As we use this opportunity to reimagine community and proximity, I am excited that these films will be shared and celebrated all across the country.”

The double features are paired thematically, and include:

Movies to make you fall in love: “Love & Basketball” and “Crazy Rich Asians” (Wednesday)

Movies that make you proud: “Black Panther” and “Creed” (July 15)

Movies to inspire your inner child: “Hook” and “Spider-Man: Into the Spider Verse” (July 29)

Movies to make you open your eyes: “Do The Right Thing” and “Get Out” (Aug. 12)

Movies to make you laugh: “Coming to America” and “Girls Trip” (Aug. 26)

Admission is free, but movie-goers need to register in advance for passes. You can register and get more information at ANightAtTheDrive-In.com or amazonscreenings.com/anightatthedrivein. For details about the drive-in theaters in Concord and San Jose, visit www.westwinddi.com.

Also, organizers say concessions will be provided by minority-owned businesses, including Path Water, Pipcorn Popcorn and Partake Cookies.