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Author Archive | Alex Kamody

Patton College of Education Presents: COUNTED OUT

Watch Trailer Director: Vicki Abeles

Join us Wednesday, March 19th at 7:00 for a special event screening of the documentary Counted Out – a film that shows us the power of math in our society, our economy, and our democracy.

FREE Admission – A ticket is required

Tickets can be picked up in-person in the Athena Cinema lobby prior to the event during our normal hours of operation, as well as at the event

About the film

In our current information economy, math is everywhere. The people we date, the news we see, the influence of our votes, the candidates who win elections, the education we have access to, the jobs we get — all of it is underwritten by an invisible layer of math that few of us understand, or even notice.

But whether we know it or not, our numeric literacy — whether we can speak the language of math — is a critical determinant of social and economic power.

With one of the most impactful elections of our generation already behind us, it’s critical to understand how the impact of math runs throughout our electoral process in ways most of us never notice — from gerrymandered voting districts and AI-created political ads to ballot measures and candidate choices.

Counted Out shows us the power of math that undergirds our democracy. Who holds that power? Who doesn’t? And how can we all speak the language of math to fully participate in a world that belongs to everyone?

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Running Time: 89 MIN89 MIN
This Film is Wheelchair Accessible

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Classics & Cocktails: CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND – One Night Only!

Watch Trailer Director: Steven Spielberg
Cast: Richard Dreyfuss, Teri Garr, Melinda Dillon, François Truffaut
Awards: Osacr - Best Cinematography, Best Director (nom), Best Visual Effects (nom)

Join us Friday, March 21st at 7:00 p.m. for an out-of-this-world addition to our Classics & Cocktails series as we present a screening of Steven Spielberg’s magnificent sci-fi film Close Encounters of the Third Kind!

The featured cocktail: “Ecto Sour” = Seven Brothers Gin, Midorisimple syrup, lemon, and pineapple

Plus, we’ll have a great selection of Jackie O’s beer, West End CiderHouse ciders, wine, and more! We’ll also have trivia and prizes.

Admission $8

About the film

The year is 1977, and French scientists are investigating the strange reappearance of aircraft and ships that had vanished in previous decades. Meanwhile, blue-collar utility work Roy Neary is sent out on an emergency call to restore power to his rural Indiana territory and has a life-changing encounter with a UFO that leaves a mark both on his psyche and half his face. Afterwards, Roy’s behavior grows more erratic, with an increasing obsession with UFO-logy and unshakable visions of a mysterious shape, until his wife leaves with the kids in exasperation. Eventually, Roy discovers that the shape is actually a terrestrial object – The Devil’s Tower in Wyoming – and he becomes convinced that this geographical location holds the key to the bizarre events that he has been witness to. Joining up with a mother whose child has vanished, the two travel to the natural monument and have a once-in-a-lifetime encounter in one of the most spectacular moments in cinema history.

Check out the rest of our line-up of Classics & Cocktails films

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Running Time: 135 MIN135 MIN
This Film is Wheelchair Accessible

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Let’s Do Lynch: INLAND EMPIRE – Just Added to the Series!

Watch Trailer Cast: Laura Dern, Justin Theroux, Jeremy Irons, Harry Dean Stanton, Diane Ladd, Grace Zabriskie, William H Macy

Join us Tuesday, March 25th at 7:00 p.m. for this last-minute addition to our Let’s Do Lynch: A David Lynch Retrospective!

Admission $8

About the film

Laura Dern reunites with Lynch to star as Nikki Grace, an actress who has been cast as “Sue Blue” in a modern adaptation of an old German film that was never finished. Her character and that of her co-star (played by Justin Theroux) will be tasked with having an affair in the film, and the two are warned that they should keep their relationship on solid professional footing. As the production continues, however, reality and surrealism start to blend as Nikki starts to transform into the character she has been hired to play…taking her to the edge of madness.

Certainly one of Lynch’s most-bizarre and un-linear films, Inland Empire blends back-stage Hollywood intrigue, Polish folktales, a sitcom with bunny-people, and nightmarish hallucinations into a film that encompasses all the great things about Lynch as a filmmaker. The movie was shot by Lynch himself using a standard-definition digital video camera, giving the film a visual immediacy that makes it stand out from his other work and adding a visceral quality to the largely-improvised performances of the cast.

 

Check out the rest of our exciting line-up of Let’s Do Lynch films

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Running Time: 180 MIN180 MIN
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Classics & Cocktails: SERIAL MOM – One Night Only!

Watch Trailer Director: John Waters
Cast: Kathleen Turner, Sam Waterston, Ricki Lake

Join us on Friday, March 28th, at 7:00 p.m. as we close out our Classics & Cocktails Series with a “killer” film from the one-and-only John Waters…Serial Mom!

The featured cocktail: “French Martini” = Eleven Square Vodka, Chambord, pineapple juice, and lemon

Plus, we’ll have a great selection of Jackie O’s beer, West End CiderHouse ciders, wine, and more! We’ll also have trivia and prizes.

Admission $8

About the film

Hidden beneath Beverly Sutphin’s veneer of the stereotypical suburban housewife lies the ruthless, bloodthirsty heart of a serial killer who claims her victims over the most trivial of offenses. When a harassing phone call to a neighbor gets the police involved, Beverly’s secret gets uncovered and a viscous spate of killings ensues. Beverly is able to elude capture for a bit, but eventually she is arrested and ends up representing herself at trial. Even though she is acquitted of the charges, she goes back to her old ways and its anyone’s guess if she’ll be caught again.

John Waters is a zany master of satire and all-around weirdness, and Serial Mom doesn’t disappoint. Featuring cameos from celebrities like Patty Hearst, Suzanne Sommers, Joan Rivers, and Traci Lords, this film is the epitome of a cult classic!

Check out the rest of our line-up of Classics & Cocktails films

 

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Running Time: 95 MIN95 MIN
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Moms Weekend: MAMMA MIA!

Watch Trailer Cast: Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Amanda Seyfried

“It’s not easy being a mother. If it was, fathers would do it.”

A film dedicated to the unconditional love between a mother and her child, MAMMA MIA is a worldwide sensation and one of the highest-grossing musical comedies of all time! Join us for a screening of this beloved classic on OU Moms Weekend 2025!

Four showtimes available:

Friday, April 4th: 7:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.

Saturday, April 5th: 11:00 a.m. & 3:00 p.m.

 

Admission is $8. Drink prices vary.

Set the Mediterranean vibe with an Aperol Spritz on Friday and Mimosas on Saturday!

About the film

Donna (Meryl Streep), an independent hotelier in the Greek islands, is preparing for her daughter’s wedding with the help of two old friends. Meanwhile Sophie, the spirited bride, has a plan. She secretly invites three men from her mother’s past in the hope of meeting her real father and having him escort her down the aisle on her big day.

With a soundtrack chock full of classic, sing-a-long-able songs by ABBA, MAMMA MIA will captivate you with its music and its story. It’ll take everything you’ve got to keep from dancing in the aisles!

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Running Time: 108 MIN108 MIN
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OU Department of Classics and Religious Studies and Athens Public Library Present: THE RETURN with Dr. Fred Drogula

Watch Trailer Director: Uberto Pasolini
Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Juliette Binoche, Charlie Plummer

Join us on Tuesday, April 15th at 7:00 p.m. for a special event screening of an epic re-telling of the classical myth of Odysseus!

The event will include opening remarks from Todd Bastin of the Athens Public Library, in addition to a presentation and discussion by Dr. Fred Drogula, Charles J. Ping Professor of Humanities and Professor of Classics.

Admission is FREE and open to the public – Tickets are required

Tickets are available for pick-up during our normal business hours, in-person in our lobby prior to and at the event

About the film

From award-winning Italian director Uberto Pasolini comes a fresh re-telling of Homer’s classic epic poem The Odyssey starring Ralph Fiennes, Juliette Binoche, and Charlie Plummer.

Bruised and battle-scarred from a 20-year absence wherein he fought in The Trojan War and spent years at sea trying to get home, Greek hero Odysseus (Fiennes) washes up on the shores of his native Ithaca, a shadow of his former, mighty self. While it is satisfying to feel the ground of his homeland beneath his feet once again, all is not well in his kingdom: His wife, Penelope (Binoche), is beset by suitors who have been trying for years to undermine her resolve to wait for her husband’s return and who threaten the life of her son, Telemachus, lest he vie for his right to sit on the throne of his father. So that he may win back control of his realm, the wily Odysseus must use his skills as a fearless warrior and his indomitable cunning to rid Ithaca of all who fail to herald the return of its long lost king.

Filmed on location in Greece, The Return is a much-needed modern update to one of the greatest stories from ancient times!

About the speaker

Since 2018, Dr. Drogula has held the honor of being the Charles J. Ping Professor of Humanities and Professor of Classics at Ohio University. Having earned a PhD from the University of Virginia, he has published numerous articles examining the history, culture, and religion of Ancient Rome and Ancient Greece. Additionally, he is the author of two recently published books:  Commanders and Command in the Roman Republic and Early Empire (Chapel Hill Press, 2015) and Cato: A Life at the Collapse of the Roman Republic (Oxford University Press, 2019).

 

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Running Time: 116 MIN116 MIN
Open Captioning is available for this film. Listening Aids are available for this film. Descriptive Aids are available for this film. This Film is Wheelchair Accessible

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OU Music Industry Summit: A Conversation with My Morning Jacket

Thursday, April 17th at 2:00 p.m.

The members of My Morning Jacket will sit down with Ohio University alumnus Rob Harvilla, Senior Staff Writer at The Ringer, for an in-depth discussion on their careers, latest album, and much more.

This event is free and open to the public. No registration is required. Doors open at 1:00 p.m.

Admission will be on a first-come-first-served basis

For more information, visit the link below:

Ohio University Music Industry Summit: A Conversation with My Morning Jacket

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From the Hills and Hollers: NORMA RAE with Dr. Rachel Terman

Watch Trailer Director: Martin Ritt
Cast: Sally Field, Ron Leibman, Beau Bridges
Awards: Oscar - Best Actress, Best Picture (nom)

The film that garnered Sally Field her first Academy Award for Best Actress, Norma Rae tells the story of a textile worker who gets fed up with the terrible working conditions in her factory and the toll they have taken on her and her family. She begins to learn more about the labor movement and meets some union organizers, and, eventually, Norma finds herself at the heart of a clash between the factory’s management and a group of pro-union workers who intend to fight for better wages and treatment.

Directed by Martin Ritt (Hud, The Spy Who Came in From the Cold), and starring Beau Bridges, Ron Leibman, and Pat Hingle, this film was nominated for four Oscars – including Best Picture – upon its release in 1979. The story is largely based on the life Crystal Lee Sutton who was fired from her textile factory job for insubordination as a result of her attempts to organize a union among the factory’s workers.

About the Speaker

Dr. Rachel Terman is Eric A. Wagner Associate Professor of Sociology at Ohio University and affiliate faculty with the Appalachian Studies and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies programs. She will introduce the film by discussing the connections among Appalachia, gender, and labor in a historical and current context.

Check out the rest of our films for the Appalachian Stories series

 

This series is sponsored by the Ohio Honors Program, University Libraries, College of Health Sciences and Professions, The Department of Social and Public Health, GO Local, University College, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, The Multicultural Center and The Black Student Cultural Programming Board, Center for Campus and Community Engagement, and The Women’s Center.

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Running Time: 114 MIN114 MIN
This Film is Wheelchair Accessible

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AVW Premiere – Short Film Showcase

Join us Saturday, April 19th at 7:00 p.m. for a special screening showcasing short films created by members of AVW (Athens Video Works) Productions!

Admission is FREE and open to the public – Tickets are required

Tickets are available in-person in our lobby prior to the event during normal business hours, as well as at the event

About AVW Productions

This student-run video production house provides experience in all aspects of production from management and advertising to the production process itself. Students learn techniques of field and studio operations while producing video for various outlets. The central mission of AVW Productions is production that is marketable to different regions of Ohio.

About the films

Every Night. Directed by Hayley Hiles. Runtime: 5 min

Synopsis: The song Every Night is by local artist and OU student Jillian Kay. Every Night was written to be a “love letter to Athens” and the video encapsulates this by telling a love story while exploring the sights of Athens. We follow a young woman that follows a leaf leading her to a man who catches her eye. He remains just out of reach as she attempts to interact with him. Eventually they go into the same bar and share a dance to Jillian’s music as she performs.

 

Laughing to Death. Directed by Lily Biggs. Runtime: 11 min

Synopsis: Laughing to Death takes inspiration from the silent film era of the 1920s, with a slight modern spin. The film follows our clutzy Heroine on a night full of mystery, comedy, and vampires… and a little romance.

 

 

Fake to Fan. Directed by William DeBlock. Runtime: 7 min

Synopsis: Join Host Jacob Smith for a thrilling game of wits and niche fandom knowledge. Two teams go head-to-head answering trivia questions on topics one team member is an expert on, but the other is completely clueless. Given only 5 minutes to info-dump their entire topic, who will come out the ultimate fast learner and who will leave as nothing more than a fake among fans?

 

Light Piercer. Directed by Addison Knoll. Runtime: 9 min

Synopsis: For the two-year anniversary of the superhero “Whirlwind”, a documentary crew interviews his nemesis “Light Piercer”, aka Lucas. Watch as they get a peak behind the curtain of his everyday life.

 

 

Manifesto of The Visitors. Directed by Jacob Smith. Runtime: 15 min

Synopsis: A writer facing a creative block discovers a mysterious stone which prompts a bizarre series of trances and messages hinting towards an otherworldly purpose.

 

 

In Love with A TV. Directed by Connor Otte. Runtime: 3 1/2 min

Synopsis: A girl’s obsession with TV sends her boyfriend on a indie-pop journey through the shows she can’t stop watching.

 

 

 

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Running Time: 120 MIN120 MIN
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Sustainability/Earth Day: WATER IS LOVE: RIPPLES OF REGENERATION with Dr. Natalie Kruse

Watch Trailer Director: Ludwig Schramm

Join us on Tuesday, April 22nd at 7:00 p.m. for a special Sustainability Series screening in celebration of Earth Day 2025!

Admission is FREE – Tickets are required

About the film

This inspiring documentary is comprised of stories from people around the world who not only find themselves on the front line of the climate crisis, but who are also trying to do something about it by employing regenerative ecosystem designs and creating more-effective systems of water retention in communities and regions across the globe. The insights expressed in the film detail the science about how water effects our climate and the urgency of making a strong effort to restore water cycles that have been disrupted by human-induced phenomena. You’ll see successful projects in countries like India, Kenya, and Portugal, where activists cultivate the necessary dialogue and take part in fixing our broken approach to combating the climate crisis. Water Is Love: Ripples of Regeneration demonstrates that the solution to one of the biggest problems to ever face humanity may lie in coming together as a community to take up the responsibility for managing our own water needs and revitalizing the world one village at a time.

About the speaker

Dr. Natalie Kruse is a Professor and Director of the Environmental Studies Program in the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service at Ohio University in Athens, OH. Her research focus is on water quality impairment from legacy mining and oil and gas operations, the impact of climate induced hydrologic change on water quality, watershed scale characterization and management, and data-rich approaches to environmental problem solving. She is the recipient of numerous awards for leadership and scholarship and is a member of the Manasseh Cutler Scholars Program Internal Steering Committee and a frequent chair of Cutler Scholars Interview Committees. Dr. Kruse serves as the director of the District 12 Science Day and the Southeast Ohio Regional Science Fair. She sits on the Ohio Academy of Science Junior Academy Council.

Special thanks to the following sponsor organizations: Ohio University Libraries, Office of Sustainability, Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service, and Honors Tutorial College.

 

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