Have you or someone you know ever suffered from multiplex malaise? A feeling of being simultaneously shocked at cinema prices while being bored with the relentless barrage of Hollywood dreck? If so, you’re not alone. River City Cinema Society, a newly formed group, has been working to ease this ailment for filmgoers in Greater Bangor.

“We fully want to bring diverse, high-quality films to the Bangor area,” explained River City Cinema Society principal member Barbara Clark.

Frustrated by the limited selection of films shown in the Bangor area, a small group – including Clark and her husband, David, Jorge and Kathy Gonzalez, and later Michael Grillo and Sandra Johnson – formed the society, which strives to bring independent, art, foreign and documentary films to the area, film genres which often have difficulty finding their way to screens in Bangor.

In addition to programming these films, the group plans to hold discussions and film-related educational events.

At 7 p.m. today, the group will hold their first screening of the controversial documentary “The Trials of Henry Kissinger” at Movie City 8 in Bangor. The provocative film examines the actions and accountability of one the most powerful men in the history of U.S. foreign policy. After the film, Vinh-Long Ngo, University of Maine professor of Asian history, will give an analysis of the film’s condemnation of Kissinger. River City Cinema Society principal member and UM art historian Michael Grillo will introduce the film and moderate the discussion.

The society, through its partnership with Movie City 8, which shows the selected films, has in past months brought acclaimed films such as “Bowling for Columbine,” “Frida” and “Gangs of New York” to Bangor.

Although the society doesn’t have its own exhibition space, the organization’s long-term plan includes opening their own two-screen theater and cultural center. A nonprofit organization awaiting approval for tax-exempt status, the society is supported by charter memberships and donations.

For membership information, write to River City Cinema Society, P.O. Box 8347, Bangor 04402-8347. For film information, or to take the Society’s online survey, visit www.rivercitycinema.com.

Tickets for the tonight’s showing are $10, which includes the discussion and refreshments. Tickets for all other River City Cinema Society screenings through the week are $6 at Movie City 8, 268 Odlin Road, 941-0000.