By Natalie Berg

bergnata@grinnell.edu

In honor of the first weekend of the school year the SGA Films Committee hosted two film screenings as part of the “Welcome to Iowa” Film Festival. Students and Grinnell residents gathered to watch Zadar! Cow from Hell and Field of Dreams on Friday and Saturday night, respectively, at the Amphitheater on Forum Beach.

Both films, chosen by the SGA Films chair Emily Evans ’13, take place in Iowa.

“I wanted to choose films that focused specifically on Iowa life,” said Evans. “Zadar! Cow from Hell … was written, produced and directed by Iowans, and all shot within Iowa … and Field of Dreams, of course, is a classic.”

Both movies include many references to the state, such as the famous lines from Field of Dreams: “Is this Heaven?” “No. It’s Iowa,” and the more comical line from Zadar! Cow from Hell, “I think Iowa is trying to kill me.”

Due to technical difficulties, Zadar! had to be screened in the auditorium in the ARH instead of in the outdoor amphitheater. Fortunately, all technical issues were solved by Saturday night so that Field of Dreams, which drew a larger crowd, could be enjoyed at the amphitheater as planned. Despite technical challenges and relatively low turnout, Evans remained positive about the event.

“It was still a lot of fun. … If we have anyone in the audience, it’s a success to me, and everyone seemed to be having a good time,” Evans said.

Audience members didn’t seem to mind the small hiccups—both films were well received.

“There were some problems with the projector, but I really enjoyed [Zadar!],” said Anna Kuure-Kinsey ’16, “[it was] a little unusual.”

“I thought it was very enjoyable,” said Angela Bowles Edwards ’16, who went to see Field of Dreams.

Kuure-Kinsey and Bowles Edwards both expressed interest in attending similar events in the future.

“I’d like to do more,” said Evans, who intends to host more film screenings, possibly as soon as next weekend. “It’s a pleasure being Films Chair here at Grinnell and trying to bring things that people love… I hope people will keep coming to see films.”