For Emma Greenleaf, Rita Erickson, Tasia Gabriel, and Karli Winfrey, watching and discussing films is easily one of their favorite pastimes. But instead of the typical blockbuster hits or sappy chick flicks that most teenagers enjoy, these four juniors have an avid interest in movies slightly off the beaten path. Documentaries and independently-produced films are a favorite of the four girls — not just for their beautiful cinematography, but also because of the messages they convey.

“A lot of the movies we watch and that we really like are not the movies that the people our age had really seen,” said Gabriel. “We wanted to show how it’s not just an art, it can also be a social platform.”

Seeking others with the same interest, the four girls had a radical thought: why not share their love with the Mercy community? With this aim in mind, the Film Appreciation Club was born. Not, however, that forming a brand-new club was a particularly simple process.

Getting approval for the club meant that they had to put together an extensive proposal for administration listing their aims, the movies planned, and how the club would be organized. They also needed to find a staff moderator to act as an adviser. Luckily, convincing Ms. Abigail Youngerman to moderate the club was hardly difficult. After completing those tasks, the girls thought that the bulk of the work was finished, but that was far from true.

Administration had several amendments to make before the club could launch, and not all of them were welcomed. While the four juniors agreed with most of the changes proposed, including a parent permission slip for unrated or R-rated movies, they were not overly pleased that many of their film picks were rejected.

Greenleaf, Erickson, Gabriel, and Winfrey had hoped to screen movies and documentaries with social messages and deep subject matter, but many of those were deemed too heavy for a high school audience.

“It’s a little upsetting, because we can’t show the movies that we know people would get a lot out of,” said Winfrey. “Especially for the people that go to our school, they can’t see the things that they really need to see.”

Despite the setbacks, though, Film Appreciation Club has been officially approved and will show its first movie in early November. Although, the club founders are still deciding between showing Marie Antoinette and Clueless, they are very excited to see their plans finally come together.

“We just hope people show up!” said Gabriel.