From acclaimed classics of the screen to modern favorites, the Downey City Library’s “Theater Thursdays” program highlights a unique, expansive selection of movies and offers a communal experience to local movie enthusiasts. The program, which takes place every second Thursday of the month, has been a regular part of the library’s calendar for over a year. Debuting in May of 2023 with a double feature of the films Princess Mononoke and There Will Be Blood, the roster has expanded to include a wide range of movies spanning cultures and time. More recently, the program has seen the establishment of a “Hollywood Classics” series with an emphasis on beloved American films like Sunset Boulevard and Bonnie and Clyde. “I have a love and passion for film, and I want to help expose people to the complex world of cinema,” says Theater Thursdays founder and director Angel Aceves. “It’s a fun way for people to get together and talk about interesting stories and characters.”

Diversity of representation is an important factor in the curation process. In commemoration of this past Valentine’s Day, for instance, the library held a screening of the Hong Kong romance In the Mood for Love, a selection as part of their ongoing International Cinémathèque series. “I wish I had a rigorous process,” says Aceves on his means of curation, “but it’s been a combination of films that I’ve seen that have affected me and recommendations of films of other respected colleagues” and films that “don’t get enough exposure.” Within this rationale though, representing different demographics and eras through film remains one of the key goals of Theater Thursdays. “[Films are] windows into how other people live and view the world,” “exposure to stories that will make you a better human,” he says on the importance of showcasing diversity in film. 

Of course, with the decline of movie theaters and the rise of streaming, watching films on a big screen has become a more sparse practice than ever. As a result, Theater Thursdays have become a special part of the library’s schedule, one that seeks to preserve the communal nature of moviegoing in an increasingly digitized age. As Aceves states, “Films are today’s biggest art form,” and he is hopeful for the future of Theater Thursdays at the library. Such future plans include drive-in theater days, outdoor screenings, and eventually hosting guest speakers and panels for those involved in the film industry. Ultimately, the Downey City Library’s Theater Thursdays installment serves as a way to bring the community together through a unique medium, and it gives the cinephiles and movie buffs of Downey an outlet to explore their niche.