Spring Film Series Begins Tues., Jan. 30 at A&M International

Texas A&M International University's Spring Film Series will begin with a free screening of Martin Scorsese's "King of Comedy" Tuesday, January 30 at 8 p.m. in Bullock Hall room 118.

Themed "Contemporary American Auteurs," the Spring Film Series will be directed by A&M International faculty members Dr. Sean Chadwell, assistant professor of English, and Dr. William Nichols, assistant professor of Spanish.

Drs. Chadwell and Nichols organized the University's first film series last Fall. Because it drew such a positive response from the community, they organized a second Series, one which focuses on cinema's modern masters.

"Whereas last semester's film series focused on a specific era as well as a definitive style of film-making, the Film Series for Spring 2001 connects films by looking at the creators behind the camera," said Dr. Nichols.

The Series will feature twelve films, two films--an early and a late--from six different contemporary directors who may be considered modern-day "auteurs." The featured directors are Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, Spike Lee, David Lynch, Ethan and Joel Coen, and John Sayles.

"A director, much like an author, has at his or her disposal numerous cinematographic techniques that may be manipulated in the creation of a film thereby texturing and molding a film with such techniques as slow motion, chiaroscuro, camera angles, and voice-over. Thus, a director has the potential to imprint the work with his or her own personal style and vision. Similarly, much like a written text can be dismantled, analyzed and interpreted, so too can a film be deconstructed and examined," explained Dr. Nichols.

Drs. Chadwell and Nichols will briefly introduce each film and profile the film's director. After each film they will lead an informal forum for viewers to share their opinions and impressions of the films.

The Spring Film Series will be held on Tuesday evenings, at 7 p.m. in Bullock Hall room 118. It is free of charge and open to the public.

Series schedule is as follows:

January 30 - "King of Comedy" (1983)

February 6 - "Goodfellas" (1990)

February 13 - "Reservoir Dogs" (1992)

February 20 - "Jackie Brown" (1997)

February 27 - "Do the Right Thing" (1989)

March 6 - "Clockers" (1995)

March 20 - "Eraserhead" (1977)

March 27 - "Wild At Heart" (1990)

April 3 - "Blood Simple" (1984)

April 10 - "The Big Lebowski" (1998)

April 17 - "Brother from Another Planet" (1984)

April 24 - "Men with Guns" (1997)

For more information on the Spring Film Series, "Contemporary American Auteurs, " contact Dr. Chadwell at 326.2471 or schadwell@tamiu.edu or Dr. Nichols at 326.2610 or wnichols@tamiu.edu.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu