Video: Steven Spielberg Launches AFI Movie Club & Introduces THE WIZARD OF OZ
Josh Millican
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The American Film Institute (AFI) announced today the launch of AFI Movie Club – a daily virtual gathering to leverage our collective love of film on behalf of optimism in this time of global uncertainty. AFI Trustee Steven Spielberg introduced the inaugural film, The Wizard of Oz, in a video that reminds in a timely manner, “There’s no place like home.” Give it a spin embedded at the top of the article.
Synopsis:
When a tornado rips through Kansas, Dorothy (Judy Garland) and her dog, Toto, are whisked away in their house to the magical land of Oz. They follow the Yellow Brick Road toward the Emerald City to meet the Wizard, and en route they meet a Scarecrow (Ray Bolger) that needs a brain, a Tin Man (Jack Haley) missing a heart, and a Cowardly Lion (Bert Lahr) who wants courage. The wizard asks the group to bring him the broom of the Wicked Witch of the West (Margaret Hamilton) to earn his help.
AFI – the authority on American film – will continue to select an iconic movie each day for the world to watch together, creating a communal viewing experience during these unprecedented times of social distancing. Other special guests will announce select AFI Movies of the Day in short videos posted on AFI.com and social media platforms. Audiences can “gather” at AFI.com/MovieClub to view the featured movie of the day with the use of their preexisting streaming services. The daily film selections will be supported by fun facts, family discussion points and exclusive material from the AFI Archive to enrich the viewing experience. Audiences can continue the conversation online using the hashtag #AFIMovieClub.
“AFI’s goal is to live in a world of art above anxiety,” said Bob Gazzale, President and CEO. “We’re honored to have Steven Spielberg, the greatest storyteller of our day, lead the way.”
Seven of Spielberg’s films appear across AFI’s 100 YEARS…100 MOVIES lists – Schindler’s List, E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, Jaws, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Saving Private Ryan, The Color Purple, and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. And in 1995, AFI awarded Spielberg with the AFI Life Achievement Award, the highest honor for a career in film.
Are you excited to join the AFI Movie Club? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! You can also carry on the convo with me personally on Twitter @josh_millican.
