Behind the Scenes

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Program Type:

Movie

Age Group:

Adults

Program Description

Event Details

More than entertaining stories to be viewed from a sofa and then benignly forgotten, cinema is an art form rich in expression and worthy of our time and attention.

Join Brandon for a fun discussion of a variety of films from John Wayne to Shirley Temple. Each month, we'll discuss two thematically-paired films and look "behind the scenes" to unpack each their historical significance, stylistic choices, and meanings.

You may laugh, you may cry, you may even raise an eyebrow and wonder "What was that?", but you'll certainly be affected. They don't call 'em moving pictures for nothing!

This month's selections: Schizopolis and Kikujiro

Theme: "The Acting Director"

Schizopolis (1996)

Fletcher Munson has a doppelgänger in dentist Dr. Jeffrey Korchek.  In his only starring performance to date, acclaimed director Steven Soderbergh inhabits both roles: Munson, onanistic corporate drone and speechwriter for New Age guru T. Azimuth Schwitters, and the swinging Korchek, Muzak enthusiast and lover to Munson’s disenchanted wife.  Placing the onus squarely on the viewer (“If you don’t understand this film, it’s your fault and not ours”), writer/director/editor/cameraman Soderbergh presents a deranged comedy of confused identity, doublespeak, and white-knuckled corporate intrigue.

Kikujiro (1999)

Masao (Yusuke Sekiguchi) is a lonely 9-year-old boy who decides to spend his summer vacation looking for his estranged mother, whom he has never met.  Kikujiro (Takeshi Kitano) is an immature man who has never had any serious responsibilities.  When Kikujiro is given 50,000 yen to travel with Masao, a journey begins that will change both of their lives.

Copies available at the library! Reserve yours by calling 412-882-6622 or e-mailing Brandon at taperb2@whitehallpubliclibrary.org