Next month, notoriously cheesy breakdance film “Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo” begins “Bad Cinema,” one of the new Central Library’s FREE monthly screening series.
Less than a month after re-opening its new digs, Madison’s Central Public Library has already made major strides. First christened by a “Stacked” event that offered live music, drinks, and an early glimpse of the new digs on West Mifflin Street, the Central Library officially opened its shiny doors to the public on September 21. Since then, Central Library staff have been hard at work offering new arts programs and services to the public. A dynamic workshop program, cheekily dubbed “The Bubbler,” offers in-depth demonstrations on filmmaking, design, screen printing, music, and podcasting while providing a homegrown venue for local artists and enthusiasts.
Of course, the Central Library is also launching three monthly screening series. Earlier this month, Francois Fruffaut’s Fahrenheit-451 kicked off “Classic and Contemporary Films for Cinephiles.” Taking a cue from the eclecticism of the UW Cinematheque’s weekly programming, the series is exactly like it sounds, highlighting cinematic fare that falls outside the typical blockbuster genome. Future highlights include David Cronenberg’s Videodrome and Eastern Promises, Stanley Kubrick’s The Killing, and Jim Jarmusch’s acid western Dead Man. The series runs on the first Thursday of every month.
Beginning last week with the dual language Spanish-English comedy Los Graduados, “Community Cinema” is a joint program between the public library system and the Independent Television Service. Running on the second Thursday of every month, the series also promises select appearances from community organizations and guest speakers. Last Thursday’s Los Graduados screening was followed by a discussion with Sal Carranza, UW System administrator and founder of Dane County’s Latino Education Council. Selections include The Trials of Muhammad Ali and The State of Arizona, the latter of which documents the controversy over the state’s SB1070 immigration law.
The library’s third series, “Bad Cinema,” highlights cult classics and even downright disreputable films. The series, which debuts in November, begins on a legendarily awful note. Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo features a pre-SVU performance from Ice-T and follows a group of breakdancing teens protesting the demolition of a community rec center. Other gems include the Cannon Films Chuck Norris vehicle Invasion U.S.A. and the martial arts gymnastics extravaganza Gymkata, famously championed by Dissolver Matt Singer.
“Bad Cinema” may not begin for another month, but next Wednesday does feature a complementary screening of Lee Hirsch’s 2011 documentary Bully. Seems like a fair compromise.
- Central Library film series are FREE and open to the public and, unless otherwise noted, held in Rm 302 of the new building on West Mifflin Street.