Ten times a year, one of the town of Davidson’s closest communities meets. The Davidson Film Club began twelve years ago, when a group of film buffs decided that the Davidson area needed an official group to discuss cinema. Since then, the club has flourished into a nonprofit organization with 120 dedicated members run by unpaid volunteers, brought together by their love for film.

Since its start in January of 2013, the club screens at least ten films a year on Saturdays at 7 p.m. Alan Singerman, president of the club and professor emeritus of French at Davidson, proposes a list of eight to ten international films to the board of directors, who then rank the films and decide which go into each series. 

The club serves an older demographic, although students are encouraged to come. “The current group has been there for quite a few years now, and they really do a fantastic job. I feel totally supported in what I do,” Singerman said.

Bob Maier, a film enthusiast, had the idea to create the club after frequently lending out his cassette tapes to other film lovers. This group began to rent out the Armour Street Theatre, working around the schedule of the resident Davidson Community Players, a local group producing theatre that fosters community involvement. The club meetings are still held in the theatre today, which has up to 120 seats for meeting attendees. 

The club focuses on screening international films that are not shown on the main commercial screens and do not get screened elsewhere. Singerman chooses foreign films that have won a significant number of prizes in film festivals and received high praise. 

Davidson College Chair and Professor of Arab Studies Rebecca Joubin is a dedicated member of the club. “The films [Singerman] and his team choose are international and give the community a chance to learn about history, culture and politics of other countries through film,” she said.

One club member, Barbara Randolph, explained her appreciation for international films. “We get to experience foreign films where the language barrier means paying close attention to subtitles yet you need to pay attention to visual language and body language and how this can be different from one culture to another.”

After each film is shown, a discussion leader facilitates a conversation between the meeting’s participants. Singerman selects a discussion leader that has a connection to the film, whether it be by nationality, personal work experience or another relation to the film. 

Before each meeting, Singerman meets with the leader to exchange ideas on what would be most beneficial to talk about, although the leader has full autonomy over the contents of the discussion. 

“The films we show, there are always problems involved […] on a personal level, on a social level, on a politicallevel, whatever, so that people will make comments about the film that we respect,” Singerman said.

“They have no complexes, the older demographic, they’re eager to talk,” he continued. “They’re not afraid to say what they want to say. Some discussions become very, very interesting.”

The club means more than just a monthly screening and discussion. It functions as a community within the town of Davidson, serving those interested in film and those seeking out a cultural intellectual experience. “It is a nice way to come together with members of our community outside the college to discuss and learn together in an inclusive and warm atmosphere,” Joubin said.

The meetings are not only a discussion of film, but also an opportunity to speak with a community that has the same interest in international film and consume quality forms of entertainment, which Singerman expressed there seems to be a hunger for. 

Singerman described his involvement in the film club as “a labor of love.” 

“I was teaching here, and personally, for me, it’s just about giving back, you know, paying forward what I got from the community, trying to contribute something that enriches the life of the community itself,” Singerman said.

Committed member Pam Dykstra shared her passion for the club. “Whether we stay to listen or simply take in the film, we leave enriched by a deeper appreciation for our shared human experiences––all in the cozy setting of a small hometown theater.”