Last weekend the Rutgers Film Co-op presented the film "Greetings from Asbury Park," a movie by NJ filmmaker Christina Elipoulos. (Of course, it's also the name of Bruce Springsteen's first album.) The film shows the city from the time when it was a resort destination, crowded with fun seekers, swimmers, and those who just wanted to walk the boardwalk. But Asbury Park, New Jersey was also the home to many new to America and those who just liked the idea of living by the NJ shore. In recent years Asbury Park has deteriorated significantly. The movie is a poignant presentation of the use of eminent domain to raze neighborhoods and build luxury condominiums. Unfortunately, in the case of Asbury Park, sometimes the developers simply leave before the new construction is even finished. The story is told through the eyes of the filmmaker's 91 year old Aunt Angie -- it's definitely worth seeing for anyone interested in New Jersey and urban development (or non-development) or anyone interested in community organizing.

This movie was paired with another one -- "Refusenik" -- by Laura Vialis about a small resistance movement led by Soviet Jews who were known as "Refuseniks" because of their resistance to those who would usurp their human rights during the time of the Cold War.  The film gives first hand testimony from many who lived in Soviet Russia during the time when these activists were vigorously fighting for freedom of expression and freedom of religion.

Both films were examples of the kind of quality movies shown by the Rutgers Film Co-op throughout the semester. For more information on films coming up, visit the website http://www.njfilmfest.com .