Watch and learn: Enzian Film Club dissects classic films with Central Florida professors

While Maitland’s Enzian Theater and its Eden Bar are known as places to unwind over a movie and a drink, the nonprofit arthouse cinema is always finding ways to expand its reach and educational mission.

This is where the newly minted Enzian Film Club comes in. During monthly screenings of classic films and post-movie discussions, professors from UCF, Full Sail and Rollins College will help viewers dissect cinematic elements, including editing, lighting, composition and sound.

“Hopefully, there’s something for everyone in these discussions, whether you’re a novice or a cinephile,” said Deanna Tiedtke, the theater’s community relations liaison. “At Enzian, we want to foster a deeper appreciation for the art of filmmaking.”

The screenings take place at the 11 a.m. Saturday Matinee Classics time slot, which falls on the second Saturday of each month.

“Our former president, Henry Maldonado, always thought that our Saturday Matinee Classic series should feature the top 100 films you should see before you die,” Tiedtke said.

The schedule for the first “semester” is as follows:

• Sept. 14 – “Pulp Fiction” with a discussion of editing led by Tim Ritter of UCF
• Oct. 12 – “Suspiria” with a discussion of lighting led by David Meyers, the film department chairman at Full Sail University
• Nov. 9 – “Rear Window” with a discussion of composition and framing led by Dr. Nicole Richter, associate professor at Rollins College
• Dec. 14 – “Blade Runner” with a discussion of sound with Dr. Paul Reich, professor at Rollins College

Tiedtke said introducing a film club helps fulfill the Enzian’s mission of education through film.

“I feel like we can reel people in. If you start with ‘Pulp Fiction’ and then come to a feature that’s like a lesbian noir arthouse film, that’s great,” she said. “We’re all about people expanding their horizons, and I think this is a good entry point for that.”

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If you go

Enzian Theater is located at 1300 S. Orlando Ave. in Maitland. For more information and tickets ($13 online after fees), call 407-629-0054 or visit enzian.org .