By Daily Press staff
Sometimes movies aren’t made. They are born — from books. Santa Monica College is launching a Friday night film series "Made Into Movies: Literature to Film" that will include a scholarly component as it analyzes adaptations of literary works to the big screen.
Four films will be screened, followed by moderated discussion, beginning today, March 4 and continuing through June 3.
"What makes this film series unique is that it combines scholarly insight with pure entertainment," said SMC cinema professor Josh Kanin, who will moderate the post-screening discussions with SMC English professor David Zehr. "We will have lively and intellectual discussions after watching each of these superb films."
Kanin also noted that the series features an eclectic line-up, both in terms of style and source material. Scheduled are: ■ Friday, March 4: "Z," Costa-Gavras' 1969 political suspense-thriller, a condemnation of the Greek military junta's ruthless power seizure in 1966. Winner of the Cannes Film Festival jury prize and an international sensation at the time of its release, the film, based on the novel by Vassilis Vassilikos, blends documentary fact and thriller-like narrative in a story that is still relevant today. ■ Friday, April 1: "Tom Jones," the classic adaptation of Henry Fielding's novel, which is a comedy of a young man's adventures in 18th-century England. A hit around the world, the 1963 film was written by noted playwright John Osborne, who received the Oscar for best adapted screenplay. The movie also garnered several other Oscar nominations. ■ Friday, April 29: "Woman in the Dunes," Japanese director Hiroshi Teshigahara's 1964 masterpiece in which an entomologist finds himself held prisoner in a sand pit with an alluring woman who expects him to work at her side. The haunting, surreal allegory was adapted to the screen by Kobo Abe from his own existentialist novel. ■ Friday, June 3: "The Taming of the Shrew," the earthy and robust 1967 version of the classic Shakespeare comedy that teamed Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor in director Franco Zeffirelli's first film.
All screenings are free and are held at 6 p.m. in room 214 of the SMC art complex, 1900 Pico Blvd. Free parking is available.
The film series is co-sponsored by the SMC communication and English departments. For information, call (310) 434-4588 or (310) 434-4098. ‘Fantasticks’ continues its staying power in SM
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 4, 2005. Read the original PDF.