We’re Talkin’ Vérité, Baby

The last time you heard the term cinéma vérité (cinema of truth) was in a film appreciation class in college. You got entranced by Dziga Vertov’s Man with a Movie Camera and rhapsodized about the loneliness of modern life after watching Umberto D. But Cinéma Vérité, a monthly discussion and film series held at Cinema Paradiso (503 NE 6th St., Fort Lauderdale) isn’t about documentary-style film techniques or neo realism. It’s about discovering the pertinent truths in acclaimed film of all genres.

The Presbyterian-based CityChurch of Fort Lauderdale runs the series, but the flicks they select aren’t overtly Christian in nature. In the past they’ve watched and dissected films like Magnolia, Taxi Driver, and Citizen Kane, and subversive gems like Fight Club are on the docket for the future. Pastor Rick Hunter leads the discussions after each film, and while they come from a spiritual perspective, the overarching themes of individual and social truths apply to comers of all faiths.

This month, Cinéma Vérité is showing Dr. Strangelove, Stanley Kubrick’s timeless tale of nuclear war. Jeff Schmidt, one of the series’ film coordinators, explains how they’ll approach the movie: “It’s about the irony of peace, the tension between its goal and the necessary (or unnecessary, depending on your take) steps to get there. Substitute North Korea and Iran for Russia, and it‘s just as relevant today as it was 40 some years ago.” Dr. Strangelove screens at 7 p.m., followed by discussion. Admission costs $5. Visit www.myspace.com/vivalacinema.
Third Monday of every month, 7 p.m. Starts: July 21. Continues through Dec. 31, 2008