History & Film

History & Film
Spring 2003 Schedule
All films shown on Wednesday evenings, 7:00 PM (except for Gandhi, which will begin at 6:30), in Robson Library 112 (Community Room).

February 5

The Mission (directed by Roland Joffé, 1986)

Beautifully filmed on location in Columbia and Argentina, The Mission offers the story of the clash between European missionaries and slavetraders in eighteenth-century Latin America – a battle over who will claim the bodies and souls of the Amerindians. With powerful performances by Robert De Niro and Jeremy Irons and a haunting score composed by Ennio Morricone, The Mission is a compelling story (based on historical events) of the Europeans’ often ruthless conquest of the Americas. Multiple awards include: Academy Awards-Best Cinematography, nominations include Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Score; Cannes Film Festival-Palme d’Or; Golden Globes-Best Original Score, Best Screenplay.

March 12

The Molly Maguires (directed by Martin Ritt, 1969)

Sean Connery stars as the leader of the Molly Maguires, a secret society of militant coal miners battling against mine-owners for better working conditions in nineteenth-century Pennsylvania, in Martin Ritt’s compelling, gritty look at this true story. Richard Harris co-stars as the undercover detective sent in by the owners to break the Molly Maguires; Samantha Eggars provides the romantic interest. Awards: Academy Award nomination-Best Art Direction/Best Set Decoration.

April 9
6:30 PM
Gandhi (directed by Richard Attenborough, 1982)

An epic telling of the life and death of India’s great political and social leader Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948). Ben Kingsley stars as Gandhi; the cast also includes John Gielgud, Martin Sheen, and Candice Bergen. Awards include: Academy Awards-Best Actor (Ben Kingsley), Best Director, Best Picture, Cinematography, Original Screenplay; multiple honors as Best Film of the year (including New York Film Critics Awards, Golden Globes, and British Academy Award).

April 30

To Live (Huozhe) (directed by Zhang Yimou, 1994)

Set against the backdrop of recent Chinese history, To Live offers an intimate look at one family’s life and struggles during the Chinese Revolution and Mao’s Cultural Revolution. To Live is history on a personal level, a story of individual triumphs and tragedies interwoven with the turbulence of great historical events. Starring the acclaimed Chinese actress Gong Li. Awards: British Academy Awards-Best Foreign Language Film; Cannes Film Festival-Best Actor and multiple Jury Prizes, Palme d’Or nomination. In Mandarin Chinese with English subtitles.

History & Film Home Page

February 5	*The Mission* (directed by Roland Joffé, 1986)
	Beautifully filmed on location in Columbia and Argentina, The Mission offers the story of the clash between European missionaries and slavetraders in eighteenth-century Latin America – a battle over who will claim the bodies and souls of the Amerindians. With powerful performances by Robert De Niro and Jeremy Irons and a haunting score composed by Ennio Morricone, The Mission is a compelling story (based on historical events) of the Europeans’ often ruthless conquest of the Americas. Multiple awards include: Academy Awards-Best Cinematography, nominations include Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Score; Cannes Film Festival-Palme d’Or; Golden Globes-Best Original Score, Best Screenplay.

March 12	*The Molly Maguires* (directed by Martin Ritt, 1969)
	Sean Connery stars as the leader of the Molly Maguires, a secret society of militant coal miners battling against mine-owners for better working conditions in nineteenth-century Pennsylvania, in Martin Ritt’s compelling, gritty look at this true story. Richard Harris co-stars as the undercover detective sent in by the owners to break the Molly Maguires; Samantha Eggars provides the romantic interest. Awards: Academy Award nomination-Best Art Direction/Best Set Decoration.

April 9 6:30 PM	*Gandhi* (directed by Richard Attenborough, 1982)
	An epic telling of the life and death of India’s great political and social leader Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948). Ben Kingsley stars as Gandhi; the cast also includes John Gielgud, Martin Sheen, and Candice Bergen. Awards include: Academy Awards-Best Actor (Ben Kingsley), Best Director, Best Picture, Cinematography, Original Screenplay; multiple honors as Best Film of the year (including New York Film Critics Awards, Golden Globes, and British Academy Award).

April 30	*To Live (Huozhe)* (directed by Zhang Yimou, 1994)
	Set against the backdrop of recent Chinese history, To Live offers an intimate look at one family’s life and struggles during the Chinese Revolution and Mao’s Cultural Revolution. To Live is history on a personal level, a story of individual triumphs and tragedies interwoven with the turbulence of great historical events. Starring the acclaimed Chinese actress Gong Li. Awards: British Academy Awards-Best Foreign Language Film; Cannes Film Festival-Best Actor and multiple Jury Prizes, Palme d’Or nomination. In Mandarin Chinese with English subtitles.