American Film Institute, Steven Spielberg Launch AFI Movie Club Amid Pandemic

The American Film Institute (AFI) has joined hands with filmmaker Steven Spielberg in launching a new initiative called “AFI Movie Club” that will provide wholesome entertainment to the people who have been spending their time in isolation.

In a press release obtained by the Hollywood Reporter, the organization announced that it will hold a “virtual” gathering everyday for the people who love movies and find optimism in such times when the whole world is getting affected by the pandemic. AFI will select a new movie every day and will allow people to come on their platform to watch the movie with millions of other people.

Bob Gazzele, president and CEO of the American Film Institute, explained that the organization always believes in living in a world of “art” and this initiative will help people in curbing their anxiety. Gazzale also expressed gratitude toward Spielberg for the help he’s extending to the program.

“AFI’s goal is to live in a world of art above anxiety. We are honored to have Steven Spielberg, the greatest storyteller of our day, lead the way,” Gazzale said.

The organization uploaded a video on YouTube in which the “Jurassic Park” helmer can be seen welcoming the world to the AFI’s movie club and introducing the club’s first movie, “The Wizard Of Oz.”

“Welcome to AFI Movie Club. I have the honor to announce the very first film we would encourage the world to watch: ‘The Wizard Of Oz.’ Now I know you think you have seen it, but please think again because right now, at this moment in our history, what better message is there then, there’s no place like home,” Spielberg says in the video.

Apart from watching the movie, the people will also get access to the AFI archives and know all the fun facts about the movie they are seeing on their screens.

Directed by Victor Fleming, “The Wizard Of Oz” had Judy Garland in the lead role. The movie chronicles the journey of Dorothy Gale (Garland) and her dog, Toto, who have whisked away in their house to the magical land of Oz because of a tornado.

The film is considered to be one of the greatest movies of all time. Released in 1939, the movie still holds a score of 98% on review site Rotten Tomatoes.

Apart from AFI, a lot of celebrities have been cheering their fans by performing their materials on social media, especially musicians. Singers like Shawn Mendes, Dua Lipa, Camila Cabello, Harry Styles, and many others have been singing some of their greatest hits on Instagram to entertain their fans.