The Darkside of cinema

Located on 4th Street in downtown Corvallis is the Darkside Cinema, the only independently- owned and operated movie theater in Corvallis.

Opened by OSU alumnus Paul Turner in April of 2005, Darkside is a local hotspot for seeing unique films not found in mainstream multiplexes.

Movies shown at the theater range in genre from art to independent to foreign films, with showings from international film festivals showcased throughout the year.

In addition to showing films for the general public, Darkside also has a number of collaborations with Oregon State each year, stemming from the relationships Turner formed with OSU professors and students during his college years.

During fall term, a foreign language course, FLL 399, is offered in correspondence with the International Film Festival held at Darkside each November. During the course, which is open to all majors, students learn the basics of film analysis.

One of the films currently being shown is “Chasing Ice,” an award-winning documentary surveying the effects of Global Warming. Turner says a number of OSU professors have sent their students in to see the film for its ties with oceanography, as well as photography.

 “We do a lot of programs with the different colleges [at OSU],” Turner said. “We have both formal and informal associations with the university.”

Apart from the eye-catching artwork and comical posters decking the walls of the cinema, one of the main aspects that sets Darkside apart from other theaters in the area is the use of 35mm film to show its movies. Turner is one of few in the area trained to use the film, and actually prefers it to the more modern methods used today.

“You get to see a real movie here, rather than something digital,” Turner said.

Darkside Cinema relies on several means to advertise its company, but the main method is through the movies themselves.

“Theaters are product revenue, the movies have their own advertising that comes with them,” Turner said.

A lot of times films shown at Darkside have won numerous awards and festivals, drawing in large crowds of movie enthusiasts.

“Oftentimes the venue is secondary, and the film is primary,” Turner said.

Freshman OSU student Ben Hamlin has already seen many films at the Darkside, and has been especially drawn to the film festivals held there. Hamlin attended both the International Film Festival held during fall term as well as the Crossroads International Film Festival, which took place at the cinema on Sunday.

“It’s always interesting to view films made in different countries, as it allows us to see the world through different perspectives,” Hamlin said. “I’d definitely recommend stopping by Darkside to anyone who has any interest in international or independent film-making.”  
Darkside is open every day of the week, with $6 movie specials available daily. The theater also offers rentals for birthday parties and private shows, as well as inexpensive on-screen advertising for other local or non-profit businesses in the Corvallis area.

Titles currently playing also include “Amour,” “Hitchcock,” “Hyde Park on Hudson” and a series of Oscar-Nominated Animated Shorts.

For more information on any of these films, or to see a complete listing of showtimes and ticket prices, visit their website at www.darksidecinema.com.

Lara von Linsowe-Wilson, news reporter
news@dailybarometer.com