More than 2,500 Boston University students returned to high school Friday night for the Programming Council’s screening of this year’s blockbuster film “Mean Girls” at the BU Beach.
Enticed by free ice cream, popcorn, cotton candy and magnets, students packed the venue for PC’s annual Fall Drive-In Movie and first film showing of the year.
“It was going to be ‘Shrek 2,’ but we already showed films in that genre,” said Meredith Modzelewski, PC Film Chair, referring to last fall’s showing of “Finding Nemo.” “‘Mean Girls’ is different, and I have never met any girl or boy who didn’t like it … and I really like Tina Fey.”
Following PC’s separation from the Student Union last year, council members worked hard throughout the summer to organize this year’s program. The Fall Drive-In Movie is the committee’s biggest event of the year, said PC Chairman Mike Pereira.
“It’s a BU tradition that’s been going on for maybe 10 years,” Pereira said. “It’s the oldest and largest BU event and the students love it.”
Rachel Toran, a Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences freshman, said she agreed with Pereira and was happy to attend the movie for the first time.
“I think it’s a good activity,” Toran said. “I haven’t seen the movie, so it’s a good opportunity to see it. It’s not something I would normally see.”
But for some students, “Mean Girls” hits closer to home.
“I’ve seen the movie a few times already because it’s based on my high school,” said Andrew Haill, a College of Arts and Sciences sophomore. “I went to Northshore. I knew girls like these in my high school. It’s a creepily accurate depiction.”
Sitting on the blanketed grass nearby, CAS sophomore Hillary Christie explained that “Mean Girls” leading actress Lindsey Lohan attended her high school and admitted Lohan “is a bit of a mean girl herself.”
Students sprawled over every available inch of grass and sidewalk on the BU Beach in order to view the film. Although the crowd did not match the 5,000 people who attended “Finding Nemo” last September, planners were happy with the turnout.
“Last year there were so many people it was hard to manage,” Pereira said.
Security patrolled the site throughout the night. Boston University Police Department Officer Tom Smith said a two-man detail watched over the crowd, “to ensure the safety of the students to make sure nothing happens and that everyone has a good time.”
Toran said she was surprised by the equal mix of the turnout.
“I am surprised to see so many guys,” she said. “I’m not surprised to see so many people because it’s a recent movie. I guess guys came because girls came.”
A “Midnight Breakfast” hosted by Dean Kenneth Elmore at the George Sherman Union Court followed the film, where Elmore and other college deans served students food and discussed the upcoming year.
Pereira said PC plans to show a second movie this spring at the BU Beach and screen two movies a month at the GSU, the first of which will be “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” on Oct. 12 at 8 p.m. Admission to that screening will be $1.
