Penn State students can break away from hours of homework and classes this semester and escape to a free movie.

The Science, Technology and Society (STS) Program is sponsoring a series of five films.

The first four films will be shown the first Thursday of each month in 113 Carnegie, while the fifth film will be shown the last Thursday in April.

The first film of the series, Brazil, directed by Terry Gilliam, will be shown this evening.

"This is the second semester for the series," Steve Walton, STS assistant professor, said.

He said the idea for the film series came from STS faculty talking about older films they really enjoyed.

"We were sitting around just talking about films that we as individuals and as faculty really liked but think that [students] don't see on TV much," Walton said.

"We tried to get films that were old enough that students haven't seen, but then address questions as to what is the role of STS in society today."

Walton said there will be both independent and mainstream films included in the series.

"There is a mix," he said. "Some are major studios. There are also ones that are less well known."

The films will follow a theme involving the effects of science and technology in society.

However, that won't limit the genre of films shown, Walton said.

"It's others than science and technology," he said. "Some are environmental, some are technology, medical, and there's one about psychology."

Walton said he is excited about the series and that the films offer something for everyone.

"Each one will appeal to a different audience," he said. "For instance, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is for a classic Jack Nicholson fan and also anyone in psychology."

Following the showing of each film, there will be commentary and questions. Jesse Ballenger, an assistant professor of history, said he will hold commentary for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest after the film on March 2.

"It will be very informal," Ballenger said. "Hopefully, they will discuss it, highlight the important issues and then relate them to science and technology -- just kind of go where the audience takes it."

There is also a film in the series called Harrison Bergeron, which will be shown on April 6.

Harrison Bergeron is based on a story by novelist Kurt Vonnegut, who is a well-known alternate reality author, Walton said.

Andromeda Strain is a film based on a novel by Jurassic Park author Michael Crichton and will be shown April 27.

"[Crichton's] early novels are about infectious diseases," Walton said. "This one is more from a biology point of view. It's interesting to see how science is portrayed 30 years ago."

Andrew Lau, an engineering associate professor, is hosting the screening of MindWalk Feb. 2.

The film is based on the book The Turning Point, written by Fritjof Capra and adapted for the screen by Bernt Capra.

"I volunteered to host this film because The Turning Point was one of the most influential and provocative books that I could recall," Lau said.

"It's about the scientific revolution. The idea of dualism between the mind and body leads to implications of emphasis of rational and irrational."

Lau said that everyone should come out to see it.

"It raises questions about fundamental assumptions of our modern world -- predominance of rational thinking versus intuition and emotionalism and everything non-scientific," he said.

Walton said, while attendance was good in the past, he hopes that even more students will take advantage of this semester's STS film series.

"For one, it's a break from courses," he said. "It's good for paying attention to the world around you. They tried to pick films that raise questions."