The AAU library was filled with students, wine, and displays of film nudity on February 27 for the premiere of the “Exotic Erotic” film series.
AAU professor, Anthony Marais, in collaboration with the Film Watchers club, showcased the 2018 psychological thriller, “Under the Silver Lake.” This film marks the first of four movies to be shown at the library as part of the “Exotic Erotic” theme, which will continue through April 24.
“Basically, the whole AAU student body’s against me,” Marais said during his brief introduction before the movie’s start. There had been confusion surrounding the ‘erotic’ theme, with many assuming the film would be pornographic.
The murder-mystery film, starring Andrew Garfield and featuring Sydney Sweeney, embraces the erotic theme early on, with brief nudity in its opening scenes.
Garfield’s character, Sam, searches for a girl he met who mysteriously disappears, leading him on a journey around Los Angeles to seek clues and secret codes to find her.
Produced by A24 films, the film studio behind Oscar-winning hits like “Moonlight” and “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” A24 tends to focus on unusual arthouse films.
Running for over two hours, the entire audience remained glued to the screen, with people sitting on the floor once all available chairs were filled.
“I like these events, even if I don’t like the film chosen, it’s part of the surprise,” said AAU student Isabella Fattore.
“Under the Silver Lake” was uncharacteristically modern, with its use of mainstream actors, in contrast to the niche and unknown films typically shown during other library movie nights.
The next film in the Exotic Erotic series will be shown on March 13 at 18:30 in the AAU Library. Wine and snacks will accompany the film selected by Dr. Ewa Żurakowska, a lecturer at the School of Journalism, Media and Visual Arts.
