Reposted from CSUN TODAY

For Those About to Rock, CSUN Cinematheque Salutes You

Tune your guitar and cue up your Beatles and Jimmy Hendrix albums. California State University, Northridge’s Department of Cinema and Television Arts (CTVA) is ready to rock the screen this spring semester, with its next series of free film screenings at the CSUN Cinematheque.

This semester’s theme is “Rock the Screen,” compiled by CTVA professor Frances Gateward. Gateward chose films that focus on the relationship of popular music — such as rock, reggae and rap — to cinema, as a form of cultural expression.

“Youth cultures offer compelling, critical and often rebellious perspectives on the world, most often using specific music forms,” Gateward said.

The free screenings, which are open to students, faculty, staff, alumni and the public, kick off on Jan. 29 with the 1969 classic “Easy Rider.” The screenings take place Wednesdays at 7 p.m. in the Elaine and Alan Armer Screening Room in Manzanita Hall.

Twice a year, the Cinematheque brings classic and contemporary films to the San Fernando Valley. The spring series wraps up May 13 with the 2019 film of K-Pop megastars BTS, showing their Aug. 28, 2018, performance at the Seoul Olympic Stadium in Seoul, South Korea — the only concert film in the lineup.

Gateward said she otherwise chose narrative, rather than biopics or concert films, because the soundtrack is part of each picture’s narrative drive — at the heart of the films themselves or complementing and sometimes commenting on the stories presented.

The Cinematheque is free to attend and allows audiences to view films as they were originally intended: in a theater, on a big screen, with a great sound system.

“These days, it is hard to get access to classics, independents, international and cult films in theaters,” Gateward said.

Wednesday Night at the Cinematheque 
ROCK THE SCREEN series

Easy Rider

(d Dennis Hopper, 1969, USA) 95 min. -- Rated R

A man went looking for America and couldn't find it anywhere...

The tale of a search for freedom in a conformist and corrupt America, starring Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, and Jack Nicholson. Bolstered by a soundtrack that features Steppenwolf, the Bryds, and the Jimi Hendrix Experience, this independent counter-culture film helped herald a new age in Hollywood. 

Wednesday Night at the Cinematheque
ROCK THE SCREEN series

A Hard Day's Night

(d  Richard Lester, 1964. UK) 87 min. -- Rated G

In this classic, which Roger Ebert described as "joyous and original," The Beatles - John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr - struggle to keep themselves and McCartney's mischievous grandfather in check while preparing for a live television performance. Smart and irreverent, the film is directed with energy and exuberance. 

Wednesday Night at the Cinematheque
ROCK THE SCREEN series

Hairspray

(d John Waters, 1988, US), 92 mins. -- Rated PG

The world was a mess, but their hair was perfect!

In 1962, Baltimore teen Tracy Turnblad (Ricki Lake) wants nothing more than to dance on The Corny Collins Show, a local rock n'roll television program. The show relies on Black music, but doesn't allow Black teens to dance on camera. Tracy becomes a regular and challenges segregation. This campy comedy inspired a remake, a Broadway musical adaptation, and a live TV broadcast. With Divine, Sonny Bono, Ruth Brown, and Debbie Harry.

Wednesday Night at the Cinematheque
ROCK THE SCREEN series

Quadrophenia

(d Franc Roddam, 1979, UK) 120 mins. -- Rated R

Set against the soundtrack of The Who's 1973 concept album Quadrophenia, Phil Daniels plays working-class Jimmy, a drug-induced Mod who hates his job and is misunderstood by his parents. But by night, he comes alive with his pills and his scooter-riding friends. The film also features Sting, from the rock group The Police, in one of his first film roles. 

Wednesday Night at the Cinematheque
ROCK THE SCREEN series

Rockers

(d Ted Bafaloukos, 1978, US/Jamaica) 100 mins. 

Making it in the music business in Kingston, Jamaica, is hard, and nobody knows it better than the unemployed drummer Horsemouth (Leroy Wallace). Despite his talent, he earns precious little for his music and is obliged to try hustling vinyl records on the side. After some members of the local Mafia steal his motorbike, he and his friends (reggae artists Burning Spear, Big Youth, and Jacob Miller) concoct a daring scheme to get it back.  

Wednesday Night at the Cinematheque
ROCK THE SCREEN series

Super Fly

(d Gordon Parks, Jr., 1972, US) 91 mins. -- Rated R

This briskly paced and stylish film, a classic of the era, contains one of the greatest soundtracks of all time - written, produced, arranged, and performed by Curtis Mayfield. Often misinterpreted as a film that glorifies crime, it is actually the grim story of Youngblood Priest (Ron O'Neal), a flashy pusher, who realizes it’s a dead end life. Seeking a way out, he devises a plan for one final score. Mayfield’s masterful music provides thought provoking and insightful social commentary. 

Wednesday Night at the Cinematheque
ROCK THE SCREEN series

Linda Linda Linda 

(d Nobuhiro Yamashita, 2005, Japan) 114mins. -- Rated PG

In this crowd-pleasing comedy of everyday life, guitarist Kei (Yu Kashii), drummer Kyoko (Aki Maeda), and bassist Nozumi (Shiori Sekine) are forced to recruit a new lead vocalist for their band. They choose Korean exchange student Son (Bae Doo-Na) though her comprehension of Japanese is minimal. It's a race against time as the group has three days to learn three tunes for their high school festival's concert.

Wednesday Night at the Cinematheque
ROCK THE SCREEN series

Bandits

(d Katja von Garner, 1997, Germany) 110 mins. 

A celebration of liberated sisterhood and the rebellious, anarchic spirit of youth that animates the best of rock-and-roll. A female quartet in prison uses music to escape their surroundings...then they really do escape! Starring Katja Riemann, Jasmin Tabatabai, Nicolette Krebitz and Jutta Hoffmann.

Wednesday Night at the Cinematheque 
ROCK THE SCREEN series

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Fabulous Stains                              

(d Lou Adler, 1982, US) , 87 mins. -- Rated R

A favorite of the Riot Grrrl movement, this film stars Diane Lane as Corinne Burns, a troubled teenager living in a dead-end town. Bewitched by the punk scene, she, forms a band called the Stains with her cousin (Laura Dern) and sister (Marin Kanter). They quickly develop a devoted fan base of equally rebellious girls. Paul Cook and Steve Jones of The Sex Pistols, Clash bassist Paul Simonon, and Fee Waybill of The Tubes are featured in the film. 

Wednesday Night at the Cinematheque 
ROCK THE SCREEN series

No One Knows About Persian Cats

(d Bahman Gjobadi, 2009, Iran) 106 mins. -- Rated NR

This feature explores Tehran's underground music scene of rock and rap, a dangerous pursuit since Western music is illegal. After serving prison time for performing in public, a young couple Negar (Negar Shaghaghi) and Ashkan (Ashkan Koshanejad), immerse themselves further into music, playing in secret venues as they plan to escape to Europe. But first they need to find a rhythm section and fake passports. 

Wednesday Night at the Cinematheque 
ROCK THE SCREEN series

Streets of Fire

(d Walter Hill, 1984, US) 99 min. -- Rate PG

Veteran director Walter Hill combines the musical, film noir, thriller, and comedy in this stylish cult classic that original songs written by Jim Steinman, Stevie Nicks, Tom Petty and Ry Cooder. Raven (Willem Dafoe) and his gang of merciless biker friends, kidnaps rock singer Ellen Aim (Diane Lane). Soldier-for-hire Tom Cody (Michael Paré) and his partner McCoy (Amy Madigan) battle through dangerous cityscapes, determined to get Ellen back. 

Wednesday Night at the Cinematheque
ROCK THE SCREEN series

Sing Street

(d John Carney, 2016, Ireland) 106 mins. -- Rated PG-13

With the recession hitting people hard in Dublin during the 80s, 15-year-old Conor is moved from his private school to a tough inner-city alternative. He tries to impress his crush, Raphina (Lucy Boynton), by asking her to be in his band's music video. Problem is he doesn't have a band...yet. 

Wednesday Night at the Cinematheque
ROCK THE SCREEN series

Patti Cake$

(d Geremy Jasper, 2017, US), 109 mins

In this coming-of-age story set Jersey, an unlikely rapper (Danielle Macdonald) finds her voice as a one-of-a-kind hip-hop legend. It is first feature film from acclaimed commercial and music-video director Geremy Jasper. Set in gritty strip-mall suburbia, PATTI CAKE$ chronicles an underdog’s quest for fame and glory with humor, raw energy and some unforgettable beats. 

Wednesday Night at the Cinematheque
ROCK THE SCREEN series

Hearts Beat Loud

(d Nick Offerman 2018, US) 97 min. -- Rated PG-13

Wednesday Night at the Cinematheque 
ROCK THE SCREEN series

BTS World Tour: Love Yourself in Seoul 

(d Son Sung Deuk, 2019, Korea), 113 mins -- Rated G 

Co-sponsored by BTS Galaxy 

Shot at the Olympic Stadium in August of 2018, this concert film celebrates the unprecedented global phenomenon of Bangtan Sonyeondan (BTS). Shot with 42 cameras, the film captures the excitement and energy of the world's biggest pop group. A warning to the uninitiated: the theater audience may be as raucous as those on screen!