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Cinema Salon is a monthly program sponsored by the Iowa City Senior Center that invites Center members and other movie lovers to view a discounted screening of a new release film at FilmScene, followed by a 30-minute discussion facilitated by Frank Murray.

In today’s film, The Ballad of Suzanne Cezaire, an actress and new mother (Zita Hanrot) is haunted by voices as she embarks on inhabiting the role of surrealist writer Suzanne Roussi-Césaire. In the sleepy palm groves of the tropics, a small group of filmmakers and actors confront the history of writer Suzanne Césaire in her youth and then stage scenes from her life, troubling the “paradise” of historical memory. Moving between narrative filmmaking and abstraction – a night at a 1940s cafe, and the garden where a film’s cast and crew discuss and bring to life the missing pieces of the writer’s legacy – this is a film that leaves room for the unknown. Watch the trailer.

Frank Murray has his Ph.D. from Stanford and 45 years of teaching literature, film, and philosophy. He enjoys examining the methods a film uses to convey meaning and to listen to what others see and understand about the film. Films are announced about two weeks in advance.

Cinema Salon screenings are open to the public and seating is first come, first served. Register online or by calling the Senior Center by 5 PM pm the day before each screening, at 319-356-5220. Fee: $6 for Senior Center members (discounted); pay at the FilmScene box office.

Registration and Senior Center membership required for the discounted fee; others pay the full price (usually under $10 for seniors).