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October 2015
Cinema Dissection: “Night of the Living Dead” with Jennifer Bean
George Romero's zombie original goes under the knife for a special Halloween edition of Cinema Dissection. "Night of the Living Dead" captivates with it's brilliantly paced story, shocking visuals, and surprising social commentary that may of may not have been intended when it was shot. With the expert facilitation of UW Professor Jennifer Bean, audiences will get under the surface (scene-by-scene and sometimes shot-by-bloody-shot) of what makes this a classic horror masterpiece. $20 | $15 SIFF Members Saturday, Oct. 31,…
Find out more »November 2015
Cinema Dissection: “Aguirre, the Wrath of God” with Eric Ames
"I am the wrath of God. The earth I pass will see me and tremble. But whoever follows me to the Cinema Dissection, will win untold riches." Werner Herzog's 1972 masterpiece is a work of madness on the screen and in production, but his incredible portrait of Spanish conquistadors in the Andes is much more than an accident. Join Herzog scholar Eric Ames (University of Washington) as he facilitates this participatory exploration of "Aguirre, the Wrath of God". $20 |…
Find out more »October 2016
Cinema Dissection: Ghostbusters with Diane Mettler
Long heralded as one of the most-enduring comedies of the 1980s, Ghostbusters is much more than a collection of gags on a thin narrative. A unique fusion of comedy, visual effects, and science fiction, Ivan Reitman's feature intelligently structures the narrative to build gradually while revealing new dramatic pleasures as each episode progresses. Screenwriter and film scholar Diane Mettler leads this six hour appreciation of Ghostbusters, illuminating the many ways in which this comedic gem is also a masterpiece. Saturday,…
Find out more »November 2016
Cinema Dissection: The Matrix with Malory Graham
In 1999, the Wachowskis unleashed the mind altering sci-fi mythology of The Matrix. The film's mixture of style and substance was blended from a variety of international / underground influences into an immaculately calculated and riveting action-fueled narrative. Media educator Malory Graham takes the helm of our day-long immersion into the filmmaking craft that elevates The Matrix into the pantheon of great science fiction action films. Saturday, November 12 11:00am - 5:00pm $20 | $15 Members | $19 Seniors &…
Find out more »January 2017
Cinema Dissection: The Third Man with Sean Axmaker
The Third Man can be found on most reputable filmmaker's lists of greatest films. A twisting narrative, exceptional post-war Vienna cinematography, that unique zither film score, pitch-perfect acting, and iconic moments galore are just the tip of the iceberg when looking deeper at the pleasures of Carol Reed's classic. Film critic Sean Axmaker brings his noir-heavy expertise to our six hour excavation of 1948 Vienna to uncover deeper truths about what makes The Third Man one of the greatest films…
Find out more »March 2017
Cinema Dissection: Vertigo with Robert Cumbow
Easily one of Hitchcock's most intriguingly crafted films, Vertigo displays the master director in peak form. Filled with memorable and iconic moments like the unique dolly zoom effect or the kiss which the camera and music turn into a miraculously orgasmic sequence, deeper exploration into Vertigo supports the way that Hitchcock built these unique technical opportunities into a narrative and stylistic web that intentionally traps the viewers right where he wants them. Film professor Robert Cumbow returns to lead our…
Find out more »April 2017
Imitation of Life: The Films of Douglas Sirk
Explore the essence of the genre known variously as "women's films," "weepies," and "melodrama" and discuss how filmmaker Douglas Sirk transformed those labels through sheer, irresistible style, making himself one of the Essential Directors. Our course, in four weekly sessions, will investigate the appeal and allure that have made Sirk's film making loom increasingly larger as generation after generation of film enthusiasts and film makers discover and rediscover his art. Class Specifics 4 Thursdays: April 6 - April 27 7:00pm…
Find out more »Cinema Dissection: Sunset Boulevard
Gloria Swanson's immortal performance is just one of the reasons that Billy Wilder's 1950 portrait of a delusional faded film actress is one of the greatest films ever made. From the film's opening scene (which was not originally planned) through her final descent down the stairs, Wilder's script and direction are just the beginning of a cinematic masterclass in the crafts of filmmaking. Spend the afternoon with facilitator Georg Koszulinski savoring the variety of ways that Sunset Boulevard is an…
Find out more »November 2018
Super/Villainesses on Screen
Are bad women truly bad? Or is the act of labeling them "evil" a way of containing female power and empowerment? "The witch is the pop-culture heroine we need right now," said Vulture in regards to contemporary American politics. Comedy Central's "Broad City" devoted an episode to celebrating the elemental power of witchy women, while standout characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe like GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY's Nebula and THOR: RAGNAROK's Hela are presented with unprecedented and nuanced motivation behind…
Find out more »October 2021
Cinema DNA: The Shining – Hybrid Class
Join instructor John Trafton as he explores the influences on Kubrick’s horror masterpiece. Register at https://bit.ly/dnatheshining-fbe Registration fees offered at a sliding scale; proceeds support both the instructor and SIFF Education programming. This class is expected to be presented in person at the SIFF Film Center. Zoom meeting details will be emailed to virtual ticket purchasers shortly before the scheduled event. MORE ABOUT THE CLASS: After forty years, what makes THE SHINING one of the greatest horror films of all time?…
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