Return of the Secaucus 7 (1980) This low-budget ($60,000) film about a weekend reunion of old friends inspired the big-budget 1983 hit The Big Chill and established a first-time writer/director as a hero of serious independent moviemaking. The cast includes Sayles regular David Strathairn as well as Sayles himself.

Thursday, Sept. 2 7:00 / Education Center 118

Matewan (1987) Based on events preceding the 1920 West Virginia Mine War, Matewan dramatizes the struggle to organize labor in early 20th-century America. A suspenseful, gripping film with a great ensemble cast that includes James Earl Jones and Chris Cooper.

Tuesday, Sept. 21 7:00 / Education Center 116

Lone Star (1996) is one of Sayles' most highly regarded films, a mystery that leads the sheriff of a Texas border town into the history of his family and community. Starring Chris Cooper and Elizabeth Pena. "Lone Star is a great American movie, one of the few to seriously try to regard with open eyes the way we live now." --- Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Thursday, Oct. 14 7:00 / Education Center 116

Sunshine State (2002) weaves together a handful of stories surrounding the gentrification of a Florida coastal town. As in most of Sayles' films, the characters in Sunshine State - a washed-up football star, a hotel manager, a banker, and so on -- are trying to come to terms with their personal histories while they participate in the larger history of their community. The distinguished ensemble cast includes Angela Bassett, Edie Falco, Jane Alexander, Timothy Hutton, and the late, great Alan King.

Thursday, Oct. 28 7:00 / Education Center 118