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Posts in ‘An Auteurist History of Film’

May 15, 2012 | An Auteurist History of Film

Fred Zinnemann’s High Noon

Posted by Charles Silver, Curator, Department of Film

High Noon. 1952. USA. Directed by Fred Zinnemann

These notes accompany the screenings of Fred Zinnemann’s High Noon on May 16, 17, and 18 in Theater 3.

Fred Zinnemann (1907–1997) fits comfortably into a group with such directors as Rouben Mamoulian (Applause), Lewis Milestone (All Quiet on the Western Front) Read more

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May 8, 2012 | An Auteurist History of Film

Kenji Mizoguchi’s The Life of Oharu

Posted by Charles Silver, Curator, Department of Film

The Life of Oharu. 1952. Japan. Directed by Kenji Mizoguchi

These notes accompany the screenings of Kenji Mizoguchi’s The Life of Oharu on May 9, 10, and 11 in Theater 3. Read more

May 1, 2012 | An Auteurist History of Film

Samuel Fuller’s The Steel Helmet

Posted by Charles Silver, Curator, Department of Film

The Steel Helmet. 1951. USA. Directed by Samuel Fuller

These notes accompany the screenings of Samuel Fuller’s The Steel Helmet on May 2, 3, and 4 in Theater 2.

After many years of ambivalence, I have decided to like Sam Fuller (1911–1997). Read more

Charles Chaplin’s Limelight

Posted by Charles Silver, Curator, Department of Film

Limelight. 1951. USA. Directed by Charles Chaplin

These notes accompany the screenings of Charles Chaplin’s Limelight on April 25, 26, and 27 in Theater 3.

If Charles Chaplin‘s Modern Times is a poignantly graceful valediction to the silent cinema, Read more

Max Ophuls’s Le Plaisir

Posted by Charles Silver, Curator, Department of Film

Le Plaisir. 1952. France. Directed by Max Ophuls

These notes accompany the screenings of Max Ophuls’s Le Plaisir on April 18, 19, and 20 in Theater 3.

Le Plaisir, like Charles Chaplin’s The Circus, has suffered neglect over the years because it happens to be sandwiched in between two of its director’s most famous films. Read more

April 10, 2012 | An Auteurist History of Film

Jean Renoir’s The River

Posted by Charles Silver, Curator, Department of Film

These notes accompany the screenings of Jean Renoir’s The River on April 11, 12, and 13 in Theater 3.

The River is the eighth Jean Renoir film I have shown in this series—more than any other director. Read more

April 3, 2012 | An Auteurist History of Film

Joseph Losey’s The Lawless

Posted by Charles Silver, Curator, Department of Film

The Lawless. 1950. USA. Directed by Joseph Losey

These notes accompany the screenings of Joseph Losey’s The Lawless on April 4, 5, and 6 in Theater 3.

A Brief Auteurist History Hiatus

Posted by Jason Persse, Editorial Manager, Marketing and Communications

Duel in the Sun. 1946. USA. Directed by King Vidor

As you’ve probably noticed, it has been a few weeks since the last An Auteurist History of Film post. The column’s author, curator Charles Silver, is currently taking a brief hiatus, but his weekly musings on film history and auteur theory will resume shortly. Read more

Laurence Olivier’s Henry V

Posted by Charles Silver, Curator, Department of Film

Henry V. 1944. Great Britain. Directed by Laurence Olivier

These notes accompany the screenings of Laurence Olivier’s Henry V on August 10, 11, and 12 in Theater 3.

I can’t recall an image of an auteur in action that is as stirringly visceral, dynamic, and, frankly, sexy, as Laurence Olivier’s Prince Hal in tights, rousing his army at Agincourt. (Mom, I don’t want to be cowboy or a policeman. I want to grow up to be an auteur!) Read more

Jean Renoir’s The Southerner

Posted by Charles Silver, Curator, Department of Film

The Southerner. 1945. USA. Directed by Jean Renoir

These notes accompany the screenings of Jean Renoir’s The Southerner on August 3, 4, and 5 in Theater 3.

Jean Renoir (1894–1979) made six films during his American exile—all of them worthy projects—but the consensus is that The Southerner is the best. Read more

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