SJC Faculty Member to Lead Film Discussion

June 30, 2013

PATCHOGUE, N.Y. July 1, 2013 St. Josephs College (SJC) faculty member Dr. Peter Mascuch will host a discussion on the 2012 dramatic comedy, Frances Ha on Thursday, July 11 beginning at 7:30 p.m. The discussion and screening will take place at the Plaza Cinema & Media Arts Center (MAC) located in downtown Patchogue, as part of its ongoing Film Discussion Series.

Frances Ha follows the story of an awkward young woman who lives in New York, but doesnt have an apartment, and is a dancing apprentice, but doesnt really dance. The film shows the friendships and hardships of Frances, and her ability to throw herself into her dreams until they fade and reality breaks through.

"From his first film, Kicking and Screaming, in 1995, to the previous decade's trilogy of familial dysfunction comedies: The Squid and the Whale, Margot at the Wedding and Greenberg, writer-director Noah Baumbach has proven to be one of contemporary American cinema's most distinctively witty and observant social satirists, along with establishing himself as one of its few authentically "independent" auteurs, said Peter Mascuch, Ph.D., associate professor of English and American studies and coordinator of the film media studies program at SJC. "I can't wait to see his latest movie at Plaza MAC and get the chance to discuss it with that venue's smart and discerning audience.

The Film Discussion Series at Plaza MAC has included discussions by SJC English and Writing Professor Thomas Grochowski for the Academy Award winner, Searching for Sugar Man and SJC Professor and Chair of the Department of Religious Studies Thomas Petriano for Terrence Malicks To the Wonder and the Academy Award nominee, 5 Broken Cameras. Peter Mascuch has also led film discussions on The Shining, Room 237 and the 2013 Academy Award winner, Amour.

Tickets for Frances Ha and the film discussion are $10 for the general public and $7 for students with a valid ID. For more information, visit www.plazamac.org. 

ABOUT PLAZA CINEMA & MEDIA ARTS CENTER
The Plaza Cinema and Media Arts Center is a non-profit public charity organization dedicated to bringing the magic and power of movies and filmmaking to the hearts and minds of the community. On a weekly basis, the Plaza provides the Patchogue community with current, quality independent films from around the world while offering special films for children and cultural programming such as broadcasts of operas and ballet from the world stage. Starting in 2013, the Plaza will be offering classes in screenwriting, editing and film production.