Cinema Series begins Thursday with two documentaries

This semester’s Cinema Series starts Thursday with two documentaries by Bill Siegel, “The Weather Underground” at 1 p.m. and “The Trials of Muhammad Ali” at 7 p.m.

Both films are free to students, faculty, staff, and the general public thanks to the Office of Student Life and Engagement and the support of The Bee’s Knees, Sky City, and the Westobou Festival.

According to Dr. Rick Pukis, Associate Professor, Department of Communications, “The Weather Underground” was selected because it connected with several different programs.

“I had heard that colleagues in the sociology department and the political science department were showing ‘The Weather Underground’ in their classes,” Pukis said. “They really enjoyed showing the film and thought it was a great teaching tool.”

“The Weather Underground” was one of only five films nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2003.

Pukis said the 1 p.m. showing was to make it easy for students who are between classes to attend and teachers who might like to bring their classes to the Maxwell Theatre to see the film.

Director Bill Siegel will be on hand to introduce each film and to field questions afterward. He will also be addressing students in Pukis’ “Digesting Moving Images” class.

“The Trials of Muhammad Ali,” Siegel’s new film, focuses on the boxing legend’s conversion to Islam and his refusal to serve in the Vietnam War, things students may not be aware of.