Interested in historical movies?  The History & Film series, offered every semester, shows a wide variety of feature films with historical themes.  Films are followed by a discussion.  Some of this year’s films will include Gladiator and Amazing Grace.  Convocation credit available.  For more information, contact Dr. Judy Walden.

Fall 2007 Schedule
 All films shown on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 PM
Walker Hall 133 (Screening Room)

August 29

 Quest for Fire  (directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud, 1981)

We start our series before “history” even begins, back in the Paleolithic era, before cities, writing, even before speech.  Quest for Fire is a fascinating film that imagines life as it was for our Stone Age ancestors.  Three men are sent by their tribe to recover their lost fire – along the way they encounter treacherous bogs and hungry mammoth, discover laughter and, perhaps, love.  Anthony Burgess (A Clockwork Orange) created the “proto-language” spoken by the tribes.  Awards: César Award (France)-Best Director & Best Film; multiple awards and nominations for costume design and make-up.

October 10

 Gladiator  (directed by Ridley Scott, 2000)

The action-filled movie that dominated the 2000 Oscar ceremonies, Gladiator explores one man’s individual heroism pitted against the brutality of the Roman Empire.  Russell Crowe stars as Maximus, the general forced to turn slave-gladiator; Joachin Phoenix is the evil Emperor Commodus.  Incredible fight scenes and computer-generated recreations of ancient Rome make this historical epic a crowd-pleaser.  Awards: multiple Academy Awards (including Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Costume Design); British Academy Awards (Best Film, Cinematography, Editing); Golden Globe (Best Motion Picture-Drama).
   

November 14

 Destiny (al-Massir)  (directed by Youssef Chahine, 1997)

In Andalusia, Spain, the great Islamic philosopher Averröes and his followers confront the forces of fundamentalism and censorship that have taken over the caliph’s court.  Although set in the 12th century, Destiny raises issues that still resonate today: the power of fundamentalism, the individual quest for knowledge and enlightenment, and the sometimes complex relationship between religion and politics.  Starring Nour el-Cherif as Averröes.  Awards: Cannes Film Festival (Palme d’Or nomination).  In French and Arabic with English subtitles.

Previous Schedules:

Fall 2006

Spring 2007

Fall 2005

Spring 2006

Fall 2004

Spring 2005

Fall 2003

Spring 2004

Fall 2002

Spring 2003

Fall 2001

Spring 2002

Fall 2000

Spring 2001
 

Spring 2000