By Maíra Amorim, Contributing Reporter
“We both love cinema and it has always been a topic of conversation for us. So we decided to develop a project that would allow us to get away from the stressful daily work routine doing something we really enjoy and sharing our passion for cinema with others,” explains Thaís.
Every Tuesday, the two friends will exhibit four films around a monthly theme, for free. The first theme is parties and will show the following films: on August 4, “The Night” (Michelangelo Antonioni, 1961), on August 11, “The Party” (Blake Edwards, 1968), on August 18, “Rope” (Alfred Hitchcock, 1948) and, on August 25, “The Exterminating Angel” (Luis Buñuel, 1962). Four classics were chosen for the first month, yet Compulcine will not limit itself to old films exclusively.
“The concept is that we don’t have a concept. We are not sticking to genres, formats or directors. If we think the film is good, than we can show it, and it doesn’t matter if it’s a blockbuster or a cult indie production,” states Thaís.
A party will be held to celebrate the end of every theme. But, in the first month, the party will take place after the first exhibition, to mark the launch of Compulcine with style. On August 4, DJs from the parties Yellow Submarine and Benflogin will get everyone dancing. For those who want to stay, the party will cost R$10.
“We want to have guests DJs every month and also welcome beginners. We have already thought of more than twenty themes, which will provide us with two years of films,” laughs Thaís.
Paula and Thaís opened a Twitter account for Compulcine, which has already more than 300 followers. People can also get to know more about the project on the blog http://compulcine.blogspot.com. Social networking tools have been very important in promoting the new film club.
“Twitter made it possible for 300 people to learn about the new film club and to spread the news to their friends before we even started. I think that a lot of people will come to the opening because of this internet promotion,” says the journalist.
They also think that choosing Lapa as the film club’s venue will draw spectators, as it is central yet bohemian and in close to the majority of Rio’s office buildings.
“We are hoping to attract both audiences – people who want to do something light after work and those who will come before a night out,” says Thaís.
The journalist also states that foreigners are more than welcome to join the film club. Those who don’t speak Portuguese may experience some difficulties with foreign language films that have Portuguese subtitling, such as Antonioni’s “The Night”. But it’s just a matter of choosing an English language film, i.e. “The Party” or “Rope”, and enjoying the party afterward.
“I think that foreigners will also be surprised, because they are used to going to Lapa for samba. But you can’t always find quality films and rock music there.”
Compulcine
Espaço Multifoco
Tuesday, August 4
Av. Mem de Sá, 126, Lapa – Tel.: 2222-3034
Film exhibition starts at 8:30PM and is free.
The after party starts at 11PM and is R$10.