Walton Arts Center and the Walmart AMP have found new ways to engage with the community in light of the ongoing pandemic. Intermission programming—small scale events that allow for safe social distancing and other health and safety precautions—has been the result. The Saturday Cinema series is one of those intermission initiatives that kicked off in September. Each weekend brings films grouped by a theme.

On October 17, enjoy two films showcasing stories about immigrants. The matinee screening, The Sun is Also a Star, tells a contemporary love story about two strangers, Natasha and Daniel, who meet and immediately see sparks fly—but the clock is ticking as Natasha fights against her family’s impending deportation. This film explores the question of whether our lives are determined by fate or the random events of the universe.

The evening screening, Fiddler: A Miracle of Miracles, chronicles the story of Fiddler on the Roof, the timeless musical about immigrants and refugees escaping persecution in their homeland. The documentary film explores the unexpected richness of the musical’s themes and its reach across time and culture.

After a weekend of immigrant stories, WAC gets in the spirit of spooky season on October 24 with two horror films! First is High Anxiety, a comedic roast of the horror genre. Mel Brooks directs and stars in this film about a director of a psychoneurotic institute who is accused of murder by his colleagues and struggles to clear his name.

Then, patrons have the opportunity to enjoy Alfred Hitchcock’s classic film The Birds on the big screen. This natural horror-thriller is loosely based on a 1952 story of the same name and focuses on a series of sudden and unexplained violent bird attacks. These two films will help get audiences members into the Halloween spirit for safe celebrations the following weekend.

October 31 falls on Saturday this year, which means Saturday Cinema will be all about the holiday! You can kick off the day with a screening of the cult classic Hocus Pocus. This family-friendly film stars Bette Middler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy as a trio of witches who run amok in Salem, Mass,, after three children unwittingly free them.

The evening will bring back Fayetteville’s favorite Halloween tradition—a screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show! This interactive musical film boasts the longest theatrical release of all time, having been in distribution since its release in 1975. Costumes are encouraged and patrons can bring their own approved props or purchase a prop bag at concessions.

After the fun on Halloween, WAC is offering special screenings of Disney/Pixar’s Coco—presented in both English and Spanish in partnership with the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month and the traditional Mexican holiday the Day of the Dead. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance.

Saturday Cinema is made possible by the Ghost Light Recovery Fund. State-approved health and safety protocols will be in place for all activities at Walton Arts Center.