Ryder films' foreign face

There are many unique experiences for Bloomington residents in the summer. Traffic on 10th is thinned, the quarries are still relatively accessible for those braving the "No Trespassing" signs and the Ryder Film Series is once again filling a variety of different venues with interesting, important and classic films.\nThe Ryder Film Series was started 25 years ago by Peter LoPilato. The then student, LoPilato had been hearing from friends in New York City about the many exciting films they were seeing, however none of these films ever seemed to make their way to Bloomington. LoPilato decided to change this. He began obtaining the rights to screen movies at Time-Out (now known as the Tap located on Walnut). These films showed at Time-Out for a few months before the club closed and LoPilato and the Ryder Film Series began its lasting relationship with the restaurant/bar Bear's Place. LoPilato was only 22 when he did this. "Physically I was 22, emotionally I was more around 14."\nLoPilato is still in charge of the Ryder Series and has since also started the Ryder Magazine, a monthly film program that offers news and features on Bloomington arts and popular culture and can be found virtually anywhere in Bloomington. \n"It's a business in the loosest sense of the word," LoPilato says about his work with the Ryder. "But it's closer to a hobby."\nThe Ryder Film Series now hosts film screenings at not only Bear's Place, but also the IU Fine Arts building, the Cinemat, Bryan Park and the Buskirk-Chumley. Old participants of the screenings may notice that Laughing Planet is no longer having its annual summer night screenings, this is due to the new daylight savings time change, where residents can now expect sunlight until 10PM. \n"Each venue has its own personality" explains LoPilato. Bear's Place, for example, offers moviegoers a chance to eat a meal, have a snack, or simply enjoy a drink in its 21 or over screening room. It's also suggested by the www.theryder.com that participants wear a sweater, even in summer, to a screening at Bear's Place, as it can be a bit on the chilly side.\nThe most recently added venue for film screenings is the Buskirk-Chumley. Last week they featured "The Battle of Algiers," the 1966 film by Gillo Pontecorvo that was commissioned by the Algerian government in an attempt to show an unbiased account of the country's revolution against France. \nThis upcoming Friday promises an even more exciting evening as Harry O'Hoyt's 1925 silent feature "The Lost World" will be screened as piano player William O'Brien provides a live performance of an originally scored soundtrack. The special effects are particularly of interest with this film as it is the first feature film to utilize stop motion animation which was created by Marcel Delgato who went on to do "King Kong" 8 years later. \nBeginning the first Monday in June, the Buskirk-Chumley will begin a Foreign Classic Film Series with screenings of the films at 7 PM and then again at 9PM. This event starts off with a kick as cinephiles are treated to an array of incredible classics beginning with the brilliant Italian director Federico Fellini's Oscar Nominated "Satyricon." The following week will feature "Last Tango in Paris" by director Bernardo Bertolucci and starring a still charismatic Marlon Brando. The foreign hits continue to roll the third week of June with Michelangelo Antonioni's 1966 remarkable "Blow-Up." Each of these films are on the "must see list" for any fan of good movies and will be quite a treat on the screens of the Buskirk. \nOne of the reasons for the recent addition of the Buskirk to the list of Ryder screening locations is an attempt to offer fans of all different theater preferences a place to see these classic films. The Buskirk offers a more formal atmosphere for those who wish not to attend screenings at Bear's or the Cinemat, and for others who would rather avoid the IU campus' Fine Arts Building. \nThe IU Fine Arts Building screenings were added in part to accommodate Indiana University professors who felt the film screenings were important for underage students who were unable to get into Bear's Place. The Fine Art's building has two rooms for the screenings and much like Bear's Place, the Fine Art's screening can still be cold during summer, so dress accordingly.\nBryan Park, which has been host to Ryder's outdoor summer screenings for the past 8 years, will continue to screen movies this summer. This is an event that offers something for everyone and is quite the experience. The Ryder website invites people to "bring a blanket. Bring a snack. Bring a dog." But make sure to call ahead if there is a chance of rain, as screenings at Bryan Park are weather permitting. \nThe Cinemat is primarily a video rental store, but serves as a screening room for Ryder Films twice a week. There relationship started relatively recently, about 2 years ago, but is considered one of the more intimate places to see a Ryder Film. \nFor years, Peter LoPilato and the Ryder Film Series have offered Bloomington residents opportunities to see movies that aren't found on other theaters' screens. This year is no different and with the addition of the Buskirk-Chumley as a venue along with the Foreign Classic Film Series that begins in June, Bloomington will once again offer summer inhabitants and movie fans plenty of chances to enjoy a good movie, no matter what their preference of theater or film. \nFor more information on the Ryder, pick up their monthly magazine available all over campus, or visit their website at www.theryder.com. For film listings and showtimes call 339-2002.