By Alexandra Napoli
Contributing Writer
Students who enjoy both movies and books are able to come together and share similar interests.
Throughout the year, a selection of three films will be shown in the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts on Thursdays at 4 p.m. While each movie is different, one quality brings them all together. These films, part of an event called “All Bonaventure Views (ABV),” correspond with the All Bonaventure Reads (ABR) book of the year, “In the Sanctuary of Outcasts,” by Neil White.
All Bonaventure Views (ABV) began in 2008 when the All Bonaventure Reads (ABR) committee wanted to find different ideas to enhance the book’s message even further.
Jean Ehman, director of the Teaching and Learning Center is part of the ABR committee.
“The committee wanted to come up with other ways to engage the freshmen class with their All Bonaventure Read’s book,” Ehman said. “We chose movies that amplify a section or theme of the book.”
Each of the three films chosen this year, “Molokai”, “Philadelphia” and “Catch Me If You Can,” hold lessons or theme similar to “In the Sanctuary of Outcasts.”
“These movies all have the similar aspects of White’s memoir,” Ehman said. “Some being what it’s like to have a disease that people don’t recognize or have stereotypes about. Another theme is that ‘crime doesn’t pay.’”
Although Ehman said both the ABR and ABV events are generally marketed to freshmen, students of all ages are encouraged to attend the films. The turnouts have been pretty good, she said.
“Throughout the four years we’ve been doing this I’ve seen some crowds where the room is almost full,” Ehman said. “I anticipate ‘Philadelphia’ and ‘Catch Me If You Can’ will draw fairly wide audiences, simply because they are such intriguing movies.”
Jackie Roberts, a freshman journalism and mass communication major, attended the first showing — “Molokai.”
“I’m really glad I saw the movie,” Roberts said. “It tied directly into ‘In the Sanctuary of Outcasts’ and showed the power of the Franciscan culture.”
The ABV films have been enriching the freshmen reading experience for the past three years at SBU. This year is no different. The last ABV showing will be “Catch Me If You Can” on Thursday at 4 p.m. in the Quick.
“I fully encourage each student to go to at least one of the All Bonaventure Views,” Roberts said. “You learn a lot from them and they’re a lot of fun. Everyone should go!”
