Fresno’s local film scene was treated to another cinematic treat provided by Fresno Filmworks on March 14 at the Tower Theatre.
The small but growing independent organization, which typically hosts film screenings every second Friday of the month, spotlighted the unique qualities of British film with “The Invisible Woman,” a 19th century period piece about world-famous literary figure Charles Dickens.
The event drew a small crowd of Filmworks’ dedicated community. Such distinctive films draw fans from far and wide who display the array of diversity found in Fresno and the Tower District.
From student interns helping to build the outreach of Fresno Filmworks to passionate out-of-town community members, the weekly screenings provide a casual opportunity for individuals to explore a variety of movie genres.
Olivia Leoni, a Visalia resident, drove in to Fresno specifically for the March 14 screening, where she planned to meet friends for the biopic on one of classical literature’s most significant thinkers.
“There is, I think, a need, and there is a population out there that enjoys it,” Leoni stated about the unique films presented by Fresno Filmworks.
Many of the films shown at the monthly events are “richer in content” and “different,” she said.
“The Invisible Woman” in particular, directed by and starring Ralph Fiennes as Charles Dickens, is a 2013 film set and filmed in England. The film follows Dickens’ initial meeting of a much younger woman, Nelly Ternan, and their eventual romantic relationship which led to his separation from his wife- a controversial decision in Victorian England at the time.
The film is also based on a novel of the same name by English writer Claire Tomalin.
Analise Villalobos, a Fresno State student who previously attended Fresno City College, worked as a student intern during the screening.
She believes the job requirements she must meet, such as speaking with film goers, writing blog posts and promoting events to groups of people, have helped her social skills.
“It’s been nothing but beneficial for me,” she said about her Filmworks experiences.
Britt Foster, a volunteer board member for Filmworks also enjoys interacting with the devoted community and screening distinctive films not shown elsewhere in Fresno.
“[We] try to do things that are only screened here,” she said. Foster also enjoys films with “a touch of whimsy” and “beautiful cinematography.”
Fresno Filmworks also presents the Fresno Film Festival, a popular annual event that lasts from April 25- 27.
International, critically-acclaimed and obscure films are presented along with director’s shorts during the short festival, yet large crowds usually flock to the Tower Theatre specifically for the opportunity to view films seldom offered in mainstream theaters.
For more information on upcoming events or to buy tickets, visit the Fresno Filmworks website.
