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Fall 2024

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The Emory Cinematheque, a series of free, professional film screenings offered by the Department of Film and Media and Emory College of Arts and Sciences, is back for its 43rd season. For Fall 2024, we are pleased to present “Southern Gothic,” curated by Assistant Professor in Theater Studies, Lydia Fort.

All screenings are on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. in White Hall, Room 208. The Cinematheque runs from September 4 until December 4 and is free and open to the public.

A Streetcar Named Desire (1951), directed by Elia Kazan, is a classic adaptation of Tennessee Williams' Pulitzer Prize-winning play. The film follows Blanche DuBois (Vivien Leigh), a fading Southern belle who seeks refuge with her sister Stella (Kim Hunter) and brutish brother-in-law Stanley Kowalski (Marlon Brando) in their cramped New Orleans apartment. As tensions simmer and secrets are revealed, Blanche's fragile psyche unravels, leading to a devastating climax. Leigh delivers a tour de force performance as the fragile yet manipulative Blanche, while Brando's raw intensity electrifies the screen as the volatile Stanley. Kazan's evocative direction captures the heat and claustrophobia of the setting, crafting a searing and unforgettable portrait of desire, madness, and the collision of dreams and reality. 

The Night of the Hunter (1955), directed by Charles Laughton, is a haunting and visually striking thriller based on Davis Grubb's novel. The film follows Reverend Harry Powell (Robert Mitchum), a charismatic but sinister preacher who marries and murders wealthy widows for their money. When he sets his sights on a young widow (Shelley Winters) and her children, they must flee for their lives as Powell's twisted obsession grows more dangerous. Mitchum delivers a chilling and iconic performance as the enigmatic villain, while Lillian Gish shines as a maternal figure who offers sanctuary to the hunted family. Laughton's expressionistic direction imbues the film with an eerie and dreamlike atmosphere, creating a timeless cinematic masterpiece that continues to captivate audiences with its blend of horror, suspense, and moral complexity. 

The Young One (1960), directed by Luis Buñuel, is a provocative drama exploring themes of race, sexuality, and power dynamics. The film revolves around Evalyn (Key Meersman), a white teenager accused of a crime, who seeks refuge on an island inhabited by a lecherous gamekeeper, Miller (Zachary Scott), and Traver (Bernie Hamilton), a black jazz musician. As tensions rise, the film delves into the complexities of race relations and the inherent biases of society. Buñuel masterfully navigates the sensitive subject matter with his trademark surrealist touch, challenging viewers to confront their own prejudices and assumptions. Scott delivers a compelling performance as the morally ambiguous Miller, while Hamilton shines as the dignified Traver. "The Young One" remains a thought-provoking exploration of human nature and societal norms, highlighting Buñuel's skill in dissecting the darkest corners of the human psyche.

Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte (1964), directed by Robert Aldrich, is a gripping psychological thriller filled with mystery and suspense. The film follows southern belle Charlotte Hollis (Bette Davis), a tormented woman haunted by the murder of her lover decades earlier. As she grapples with her past, dark family secrets are unearthed, leading to shocking revelations and spine-chilling twists. Davis delivers a mesmerizing performance as the fragile yet determined Charlotte, while the stellar supporting cast, including Olivia de Havilland as Miriam Deering, and Joseph Cotton as Dr. Drew Bayliss, adds depth to the narrative. Aldrich crafts a tense and atmospheric tale, blending elements of horror and melodrama to create an unforgettable cinematic experience. 

In the Heat of the Night (1967), directed by Norman Jewison, is a groundbreaking crime drama that tackles issues of race and prejudice in the Deep South. The film follows Virgil Tibbs (Sidney Poitier), a black detective from Philadelphia who finds himself embroiled in a murder investigation in a racially divided town. Teaming up with the reluctant Police Chief Gillespie (Rod Steiger), Tibbs navigates bigotry and hostility as they search for the truth. Poitier delivers a powerful performance as the dignified and determined Tibbs, while Steiger shines as the conflicted Gillespie. Jewison's masterful direction elevates the gripping narrative, delivering a searing indictment of racism and injustice that remains relevant to this day. 

The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter (1968), directed by Robert Ellis Miller, is a poignant drama adapted from Carson McCullers' novel. The film follows John Singer (Alan Arkin), a deaf-mute man who becomes a confidant to various marginalized characters in a small Southern town during the Great Depression. As Singer forms deep connections with his eclectic companions, including a troubled teenager (Sondra Locke) and an African American doctor (Percy Rodriguez), the film explores themes of loneliness, longing, and human connection. Arkin delivers a nuanced and empathetic portrayal of Singer, anchoring the narrative with quiet intensity. Miller sensitively captures the emotional depth of McCullers' timeless tale, crafting a moving and insightful exploration of the human condition.

Wise Blood (1979), directed by John Huston, is a darkly comedic adaptation of Flannery O'Connor's novel. The film follows Hazel Motes (Brad Dourif), a disillusioned war veteran who becomes a self-proclaimed preacher in the American South. As he grapples with his beliefs and confronts the hypocrisy of organized religion, Hazel embarks on a surreal journey of self-discovery. Dourif delivers a captivating performance, capturing the complexity and eccentricity of the enigmatic protagonist. Harry Dean Stanton, Ned Beatty and William Hickey also star, and their performances of questionable characters is a delight. Huston infuses the narrative with his trademark wit and visual flair, exploring themes of faith, identity, and redemption in a provocative and thought-provoking manner. 

Southern Comfort (1981), directed by Walter Hill, is a tense and atmospheric thriller set in the Louisiana bayou. The film follows a group of National Guardsmen on a routine training exercise that goes disastrously wrong when they antagonize local Cajun hunters. As tensions escalate and the soldiers find themselves hunted through the swamps, they must confront their own prejudices and fears to survive. The ensemble cast, including Keith Carradine, Powers BootheFred Ward, T. K. Carter, Franklyn Seales, Lewis Smith, and Peter Coyote, delivers compelling performances, capturing the mounting paranoia and desperation of their characters. Hill's masterful direction infuses the film with palpable tension and suspense, crafting a gripping and thought-provoking exploration of masculinity, violence, and the clash of cultures. 

Eve's Bayou (1997), directed by Kasi Lemmons, is a haunting and visually stunning coming-of-age drama set in 1960s Louisiana. The film follows Eve Batiste (Jurnee Smollett), a young girl who discovers family secrets that shatter her perception of her parents and the world around her. As she navigates the complexities of race, class, and sexuality, Eve grapples with the consequences of her own actions and desires. Smollett’s performance, captures Eve's innocence and burgeoning awareness with grace and depth. The cast is rounded out with legendariesSamuel L. Jackson, Jurnee Smollett, Meagan Good, Lynn Whitfield, Roger Guenveur Smith,Debbi Morganand Tamara Tunie as the adult voice of Eve. Lemmons crafts a richly atmospheric narrative, blending elements of Southern Gothic and magical realism to create a captivating and emotionally resonant story of loss, betrayal, and redemption. 

O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000), directed by Joel and Ethan Coen, is a whimsical and irreverent comedy set in Depression-era Mississippi. Loosely based on Homer's "Odyssey," the film follows three escaped convicts—Ulysses Everett McGill (George Clooney), Pete Hogwallop (John Turturro), and Delmar O'Donnell (Tim Blake Nelson)—as they embark on a journey to find hidden treasure and reunite with their families. Along the way, they encounter a colorful cast of characters and get entangled in various misadventures, including run-ins with law enforcement and encounters with mythical figures. Clooney delivers a charismatic and hilarious performance as the fast-talking Everett, while the Coen Brothers' trademark wit and visual style infuse the narrative with charm and whimsy. "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" is a delightful and offbeat odyssey that celebrates the power of friendship, redemption, and the enduring spirit of Americana. 

Winter's Bone (2010), directed by Debra Granik, is a gritty and atmospheric drama set in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri. The film follows Ree Dolly (Jennifer Lawrence), a resilient teenager who embarks on a desperate quest to find her missing father and save her family from eviction. As she navigates the dangerous world of methamphetamine production and confronts her own kin, Ree must rely on her wits and determination to survive. Lawrence delivers a breakthrough performance, imbuing Ree with a fierce intelligence and vulnerability that anchors the narrative. John Hawkes, as Ree’s uncle is mesmerizing, and leads an impeccable cast. Granik's stark and evocative direction captures the harsh beauty of the rural landscape, creating a haunting and unforgettable portrait of survival and resilience in America's heartland. 

Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012), directed by Benh Zeitlin, is a visionary tale of resilience and wonder set in the Louisiana bayou. The film follows Hushpuppy (Quvenzhané Wallis), a young girl living in a marginal community called the Bathtub, as she navigates the impending environmental apocalypse and searches for her long-lost mother. As her father Wink (Dwight Henry) grows increasingly ill, Hushpuppy embarks on a mythic journey to save her home and discover her place in the world. Wallis delivers a remarkable performance, capturing Hushpuppy's fierce spirit and boundless imagination with remarkable depth and authenticity. Zeitlin's poetic direction infuses the narrative with magic and emotion, creating a transcendent cinematic experience that celebrates the resilience of the human spirit. 

True Detective, the acclaimed HBO anthology crime series created by Nic Pizzolatto, is a gritty and atmospheric exploration of the human psyche and the dark underbelly of society. Each season presents a self-contained narrative with a new cast of characters, delving into complex themes of morality, obsession, and existential dread.In the first season (2014), directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, the story unfolds in rural Louisiana, where two detectives—Rust Cohle (Matthew McConaughey) and Martin Hart (Woody Harrelson)—are tasked with investigating a series of ritualistic murders spanning over two decades. As they delve deeper into the case, they confront their own inner demons and grapple with the existential nihilism that permeates their lives. McConaughey delivers a mesmerizing performance as the enigmatic and introspective Cohle, while Harrelson shines as the conflicted and morally ambiguous Hart. It not only excels as a gripping crime drama but by the end it’s the thought-provoking exploration of the human condition that stays with you."True Detective" stands as a landmark series in the crime genre, pushing the boundaries of television storytelling with its richly drawn characters, atmospheric cinematography, and philosophical themes.