On Sept. 19, the film “Selma” (2015) was featured as the fourth installment of the “Keeping It Reel” movies on the quad series hosted by the Campus Activities and Programming (CAP) Center. All students are welcome to these screenings, which occur every Saturday evening, and are encouraged to bring their newly provided University lawn chair. The films are projected onto a large blown-up screen at the front of the Malesardi quadrangle, and they are accompanied by various small fire-pits scattered around for s’mores.

“Keeping it Reel” is “a direct result of [the CAP center] having to be creative with the new COVID guidelines,” Assistant Director of Campus Activities and Programs Molly Burkholder said. “We wanted to offer students an opportunity to connect with their peers in a safe way. So far, it has been a hit and we are excited to continue with this series!”

With ample room on the quad, this movie series provides a great way for students to get together with friends and peers to connect and have fun on the weekends, despite the COVID-related restrictions on the social scene on campus. Students can come in small, masked groups and make use of the Adirondack chairs or bring their own chairs and/or blankets to view the films.

Each Saturday, the selected film is shown at 8:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. With the first installment taking place on Aug. 29, “Keeping It Reel” has included “Despicable Me” (2010), a double feature of “Shrek 1” (2001) and “Shrek 2” (2004), “Black Panther (2018)” and finally “Selma” (2015). Burkholder shared that the “movies are selected based on student input. ‘Selma’ in particular was shown in collaboration with our International Student Services.”

“‘Selma’ was an incredibly important film to project Saturday night, as it set the context for the current state of our country today, and I hope that Bucknell will continue to center films such as ‘Selma,’ not just this semester but going forward,” Matilda Melkonian ’22 said.

“Though I was chilly, watching ‘Selma’  on the quad was a pleasant break after a long week, and a good way to continue to motivate the spirit of racial justice on our campus,” Kate Bixby ’22 said.

The last installment of the “Keeping It Reel” series will show “Ratatouille” (2007)take place this Saturday, Sept. 26, at 8:30 p.m. or 10 p.m. on Malesardi Quad. Additionally, check out the CAP Center website and Instagram to learn about all the other on-campus events this fall semester.