May’s Marvel Movie Madness

All twelve Marvel movies to be screened in Grassroots from May 2-5

Marvel lovers have been hyping up the release of Captain America: Civil War for months, and now the Kwantlen Student Association’s student life committee is joining in on the fun.

From May 2 to May 5, all twelve canonical Marvel movies—collectively known as the Marvel Cinematic Universe—will be screened in chronological order at the Grassroots Cafe. Three movies will be played each day, starting at 10 a.m and ending at 3 p.m.

The idea for the marathon came to Kwantlen Gaming Guild events coordinator John Shkurtaj after a Star Wars marathon the guild held in preparation for The Force Awakens.

“We had about 60 different people show up throughout the entire 12-hour event, so we thought that this [Marvel marathon] would be a really great idea,” says Shkurtaj.

He also did it out of passion, as a fan of all things Marvel. Currently, his favourite film is the first Avengers movie, but he expects Captain America: Civil War to take the cake.

“I’ve always found an interest in Marvel and DC,” says Shkurtaj. “Being something I related to as a child, it’s always going to be a part of me. It’s a fun, exciting thing, and I know that a lot of people from the Gaming Guild think this is a great idea and they’re going to come out too.”

He chose to host the marathon at the cafe to “bring new students into Grassroots and help increase its revenue.” It’s also the best place on campus to find movie snacks and beverages, which students get a 10 per cent discount on.

Shkurtaj worked in tandem with the KSA’s vice-president of student life, Natasha Lopes, to organize the event. Lopes cites herself as a long-term Marvel enthusiast with a particular love for the original Iron Man and its soundtrack, though she “really enjoy[s] any superhero universe.”

“It’s something uplifting for students, and I look up to a superhero to give me the inspiration and drive to keep going,” she says. “Wonder Woman never stopped. She just kept on pushing through, regardless of what the society that she was working in did to her.”

Like Shkurtaj, Lopes’ love for the universe isn’t her only reason for backing the marathon. The two of them are hoping that it will encourage Kwantlen’s largely disengaged student body to participate in on-campus events.

“Anything involving superheroes will always attract people. It’s up to the student body as well, but it’s the summer so they have more time,” says Lopes. “I find that Marvel Movie Madness is really setting the tone for this KSA council and what students can expect from this council. It’s also setting the tone for our student life.”

Shkurtaj adds, “Bringing students into Grassroots is just something that I want to see more often, and during the summer semester, it’s a great way to get people back here.”

While Lopes will be in attendance for part of the marathon, Shkurtaj will be there for the entire twelve-film screening. They will both be wearing costumes, although it’s currently a mystery which characters they are going to be.

The two hinted at the possibility of another Grassroots movie marathon in the future, with the Harry Potter films being a viable option.

“This is something that I want the KSA and the student life committee in particular to continue doing because it’s such a simple event,” says Shkurtaj. “It doesn’t take much effort, and it’s something that students would like to see. It’s going to be fun.”