‘Looking Back’ at Films of the Past

“Looking Back,” a series of films, both rare and familiar and all dealing with the past, commences Thursday at USC’s Taper Hall of Humanities, Room 202, with the screening of “American Graffiti.”

Others are Tian Zhuangzhuang’s “The Blue Kite” (Feb. 16); “Pictures From a Revolution,” a 1991 documentary on Nicaragua as seen by a New York Times reporter after a 10-year absence; Claire Denis’ “Chocolat” (March 2), set in French colonial Africa; Agnieszka Holland’s “Europa, Europa” (March 23), and Giuseppe Tornatore’s “Cinema Paradiso” (March 30). All screenings are at 7 p.m. (213) 740-2666.