College to Offer Classic Film Series on Select Fridays Through May

CORTLAND, NY (02/08/2010)(readMedia)-- The College will begin its Friday Films at Four FilmFest on Feb. 12 with a screening of "Klute," the 1971 Alan Pakula thriller starring Jane Fonda and Donald Sutherland.

The series features refreshments at 3:50 p.m. with the movie starting at 4 p.m. at the International Communications and Culture Laboratory in Old Main, Room 223. At these informal film club meetings, different faculty will show and discuss their favorite flick with Scott Anderson of the Geography Department faculty leading off. All who share a love of film are invited to the showings, which are free.

The remaining films for the semester are:

"Two Women," a 1960 film directed by Vittorio De Sica, will be screened on March 12. Anne Wiegard of the English Department faculty will give the presentation.

"Forbidden Games," a 1952 work directed by René Clement, will be offered on April 9. Robert Rhodes, emeritus English Department faculty member, will discuss the film.

"Don't Look Now," a 1973 drama directed by Nicholas Roeg, will be shown on May 7. Anderson will offer his thoughts on the film.

Anderson offers a sample with his remarks about "Klute."

"Did Jane Fonda deserve the Academy Award for Best Actress, or was this a Hollywood circle-the-wagons response to the hostility she had earned in her performance as 'Hanoi Jane' in North Vietnam the previous year?" Anderson comments.

"This is not the only controversy the film still inspires. Most recognize Jane Fonda's superb performance as Bree Daniels, a New York City prostitute with options but a strong determination to be free and unencumbered. Others are less satisfied with Donald Sutherland's mostly silent performance as the private eye John Klute. Those who like Klute still praise it highly, and for that reason and for the performance that established Fonda as a serious artist, we believe the film deserves a fresh viewing."

For comments, suggestions, or to add someone new to the Friday Films at Four FilmFest mailing list, contact Anderson at scott.anderson@cortland.edu or (607) 753-4107.

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