The Women and Gender Studies Program Feminist Film Series is back on Wednesday evenings, showcasing movies by top directors.
The series launched April 4 with the 1942 classic “Woman of the Year,” directed by George Stevens and continues with a screening on Wednesday, April 11, of director Kenneth Glenaan's film “Yasmin,” winner of the 2004 John Templeton European Film of the Year Award.
All events are free and open to the public and begin at 6 p.m. in Arts 215 through June 6.
In its third year, the Feminist Film Series will showcase nine films and a special guest lecture on May 2 with author and film critic Molly Haskell. Haskell's talk is sponsored by the Women's and Gender Studies Sadock Women in the Arts Grant.
Lori Marso, professor of political science and chair of the Women's and Gender Studies Program, said she aims for a diverse group of films.
“I choose works from women directors,” Marson explained, “but also choose male directors who are known for feminist themes or subjects that explore gender questions. I try to mix historically-interesting films with current movies and often choose films with questionable feminist themes to spark discussions surrounding what a feminist film really is.”
Gender Studies is an interdisciplinary program offering more than 50 courses in the arts, humanities and social and physical sciences. Requirements include the introductory core course, “Perspectives on Women and Gender,” and a capstone seminar, “Women and Gender Theory.”
Students in the major are required to attend the film series as part of their capstone seminar course. They are also reading Haskell's book on feminist film criticism, From Reverence to Rape: The Treatment of Women in the Movies, 2nd edition (University Of Chicago Press, 1987)
“The students bring a rich variety of perspectives to class conversations and their papers,” said Marso. “The Film Series attracts students from multiple majors, and I've worked with various faculty to arrange joint film-viewings, dinners and discussions.
“Even if you are familiar with the individual films,” Marso continued, “viewing them week after week within the Series gives a new perspective to each film, and makes you see them in a new way.”
Additional offerings in the Feminist Film Series include:
April 11 “Yasmin” (2004), directed by Kenneth Glenaan
April 18 “The Syrian Bride” (2004), directed by Eran Riklis
April 25 “Veronica Guerin” (2003), directed by Joel Schumacher
May 2 Guest lecture with Molly Haskell
May 9 “A Map of the World” (1999), directed by Scott Elliott
May 16 “The Official Story” (1985), directed by Luis Puenzo
May 23 “Ten” (2002), directed by Abbas Kiarostami
May 30 “The Magdalene Sisters” (2002), directed by Peter Mullan
June 6 “Marie Antoinette” (2006), directed by Sofia Coppola
For further information, please contact Marso at (518) 388-6626 or (518) 388-6423 or marsol@union.edu.