How Raiders of the Lost Ark Introduced Me to Art House Cinema

By JBFC Marketing Manager Lori Zakalik

This year, at the first-ever Art House Theater Day, we are screening Steven Spielberg‘s classic archaeology-adventure story, Raiders of the Lost Ark. While some may feel this is a strange choice of programming for a day celebrating independent cinema, I am beyond thrilled that we’ve included it in our programming lineup. I believe it’s a great opportunity to introduce new people to all the Burns has to offer, especially people who feel that art house cinema isn’t for them. The truth is, I was almost one of those people, yet now I work at an art house theater. How did that happen? Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Let me explain…

Growing up, I would occasionally travel from New Rochelle to the Fine Arts Cinema on Central Avenue to see an independent film. It was never my decision to go —I liked Star Wars and Independence Day—but my mom was a fan of the theater’s programming and took me with her whenever she went. While I always enjoyed the films I saw at the theater, independent cinema was not necessarily my cup of tea.

Fast forward to 2006, my freshman year of college at Boston University. BU’s campus is a 10 minute walk from the Coolidge Corner Theatre, Boston’s nonprofit, independent cinema, and yet, even with all the trips I took with my mom to Fine Arts Cinema, I did not make one trip to the Coolidge my first year at BU. Going there wasn’t even a thought that crossed my mind. Finally, during my first semester of Sophomore year, friends invited me to a screening of Raiders of the Lost Ark (yes, some of us dressed up) and I saw my first film at the Coolidge. As soon as I entered the theater, which was unlike any movie theater I had ever seen, I was hooked. Then, I saw the new releases and original programming they had lined up and I knew I’d be back…often. Maybe it was because I was older, but gone was the person who thought that independent film was not “her thing.” I loved going to the Coolidge and I loved everything I saw there.

In 2012, deep into a job search, I saw a posting for a marketing job at the Jacob Burns Film Center. I immediately thought of the Coolidge Corner Theatre and how amazing it would be to work at one of those wonderful, independent cinemas. So I applied for the job…and the rest is history.

If Raiders hadn’t brought me to the Coolidge, perhaps something else would have eventually. But Raiders was accessible and welcoming, familiar and not at all intimidating. It was exactly what I needed to finally take the plunge and walk through the doors of an art house theater without my mom. My hope for Art House Theater Day is that Raiders of the Lost Ark introduces people to the Burns and shows them that art house cinema isn’t scary. It’s fun, educational, dramatic, hilarious, entertaining, and most of all, it’s for everyone.

To see ourArt House Theater Day film lineup, including Raiders of the Lost Ark, click here.