‘You supply the popcorn, we’ll provide the film.’
Posted May 7, 2020
by LENNY KOUPAL, CSU Communications Coordinator
Using entertainment to get students comfortable with a library resource is one reason behind a new summer film series announced by the Memorial Library at Minnesota State University, Mankato.
The other reason is just plain fun with a line-up of eclectic films ranging from a tragic documentary to a kungfu classic.
Friday Movie Night starting May 22 offers 12 weekly online film viewing sessions using online access to Kanopy Streaming Video Access offered through the library.
“You supply the popcorn. We’ll provide the film,” is the library’s promotional tagline for the new streaming series as the country continues through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Care was given to a selection of summer movies that widens student exposure to different cultures and ideas.
“Watching films on a range of topics deepens an understanding of different points of view and raises awareness on a variety of topics,” said Monika Antonelli, outreach librarian.
Films include documentaries, classic and dark comedies, action, and horror.
Not all films may be readily recognized. Watching the trailers will help students mark their must-see list. Here is the library’s recommended list:
May 22: Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken!: Investigating the Fast-Food Industry (social issue documentary)
May 29: Kind Hearts and Coronets (classic British comedy)
June 5: Off Label: Runaway Pharma Culture (social issue documentary)
June 12: Paradise Hills (contemporary science fiction)
June 19: Amy: The Tragic Story of Amy Winehouse (biographical documentary)
June 26: The Iron Monkey (1977 “monkey fist” kungfu classic)
July 3: Midsommar (contemporary horror)
July 10: Embrace of The Serpent (Spanish foreign language)
July 17: I Am Not a Witch (contemporary African film)
July 24: The Bill Murray Stories: Life Lessons Learned from a Mythical Man (inspiring documentary)
July 31: What’s My Name: Muhammad Ali (biographical documentary)
August 7: Swiss Army Man (contemporary dark comedy starring Daniel Radcliffe)
Weekly Facebook posts on Memorial Library’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/memorial.library.mnsu/ are planned to appear every Friday at 2 p.m. starting on May 22.
“The film showings will be on the students’ own time frame. We will be promoting a different film each Friday” Antonelli said. “They will be able to access any of the films at any time. Plus they can get into Kanopy and look for other films to watch.”
Antonelli said the series helps students feel comfortable using Kanopy.
“Students will learn how to login to a Library resource, which will help prepare them for doing research in the fall,” she said.
The series is available through Kanopy Streaming to anyone with a University Star ID and password. New students going through Summer Orientation would also be able to join.
Access to Kanopy Films is available at https://libguides.mnsu.edu/az.php?a=k
The Friday series running through Aug. 7 seeks to keep students connected, and excited about Minnesota State Mankato. It also offers a preview to a course option.
“It promotes the Film Studies program,” she said. “Students will know that they can enroll in Film Studies as an elective.”
