Director: Perry Henzell
Country of origin: Jamaica
Year of release: 1972
Running time: 103'
Language: English, Jamaican creole
In The Harder They Come reggae star Jimmy Cliff plays Ivan O. Martin, a Jamaican country boy who heads for Kingston in search of fame and fortune as a singer. Faced with the harsh reality of city life, Ivan ends up taking work with a local preacher, and is later jailed for participating in a knife fight.
Upon his release, Ivan finally gets to record his song “The Harder They Come”, but is then exploited by a dishonest record company executive. Ivan turns his back on the establishment, and slides into crime and the drug trade. He keeps the police at arm's length by offering them a slice of the action, but ultimately finds himself in the middle of a bloody raid. Ivan kills several cops and escapes, whereupon "The Harder They Come" is released, elevating the fugitive to the status of folk hero.
Adopting a take-no-prisoners approach to its material and presenting an unadorned view of Jamaican ghetto life, The Harder They Come is the first true classic of Caribbean cinema, packing an emotional impact that is undeniable. And it features one of the all-time great music soundtracks, including unforgettable songs from Desmond Dekker, Toots and the Maytals, and of course Jimmy Cliff himself.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Screening for Monday 28 September: Touch of Evil
Director: Orson Welles
Country of origin: USA
Year of release: 1958
Running time: 112'
Language: English
Campus Film Classics is pleased to announce its return with a screening of Touch of Evil, directed by Orson Welles. The screening takes place on Monday 28 September at 5pm (please note new day and time), at the Institute of Critical Thinking (upstairs the Centre for Language Learning, the previous venue for CFC), UWI main campus. The screening is free and open to the public.
Touch of Evil is a brilliant crime thriller, dark mystery, and a cult classic, the last great film noir during the so-called classic era of noirs. Beginning with one of the best opening shots in all of cinema, Touch of Evil explodes onto the screen with a car blowing up, setting into motion a classic noir tale of betrayal and murder. In a complex exploration of character and morality, Orson Welles plays the racist Captain Hank Quinlan, a grotesque, troubled, and powerful figure who runs his small US border town according to his own version of the law.
Quinlan's brutishness and vulgarity contrast starkly with the idealism and playboy good looks of Mike Vargas (Charlton Heston), a Mexican detective trying to put away the leader of a dangerous family of drug dealers. Vargas becomes consumed with exposing Quinlan and his highly questionable methods--too busy to see that his beautiful American bride, Susie (Janet Leigh) is in serious danger.
In almost every way, Touch of Evil is a masterpiece. Every shot is impeccably crafted, every word of dialogue concise and pointed. The supporting cast, led by Marlene Dietrich, gives exhilarating performances. Welles’ last American film, Touch of Evil is a near-perfect examination of the dark underbelly of society and the tragic downfall of a once proud and powerful man.
Country of origin: USA
Year of release: 1958
Running time: 112'
Language: English
Campus Film Classics is pleased to announce its return with a screening of Touch of Evil, directed by Orson Welles. The screening takes place on Monday 28 September at 5pm (please note new day and time), at the Institute of Critical Thinking (upstairs the Centre for Language Learning, the previous venue for CFC), UWI main campus. The screening is free and open to the public.
Touch of Evil is a brilliant crime thriller, dark mystery, and a cult classic, the last great film noir during the so-called classic era of noirs. Beginning with one of the best opening shots in all of cinema, Touch of Evil explodes onto the screen with a car blowing up, setting into motion a classic noir tale of betrayal and murder. In a complex exploration of character and morality, Orson Welles plays the racist Captain Hank Quinlan, a grotesque, troubled, and powerful figure who runs his small US border town according to his own version of the law.
Quinlan's brutishness and vulgarity contrast starkly with the idealism and playboy good looks of Mike Vargas (Charlton Heston), a Mexican detective trying to put away the leader of a dangerous family of drug dealers. Vargas becomes consumed with exposing Quinlan and his highly questionable methods--too busy to see that his beautiful American bride, Susie (Janet Leigh) is in serious danger.
In almost every way, Touch of Evil is a masterpiece. Every shot is impeccably crafted, every word of dialogue concise and pointed. The supporting cast, led by Marlene Dietrich, gives exhilarating performances. Welles’ last American film, Touch of Evil is a near-perfect examination of the dark underbelly of society and the tragic downfall of a once proud and powerful man.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Intermission
Campus Film Classics is currently on hiatus, while we finalise a new venue for our screenings. We should be back very soon. In the meanwhile, don't miss the upcoming trinidad+tobago film festival--two weeks of great local, Caribbean and Caribbean Diaspora films, workshops, panel discussions and much more.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Screening for Tuesday 18 August: Amores Perros
Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu
Country of origin: Mexico
Year of release: 2000
Running time: 158'
Language: Spanish, with English subtitles
The debut feature by director Alejandro González Iñárritu, Amores Perros features three linked stories based in and around Mexico City. The first tells of Octavio, a young barrio-dweller who is in love with his sister-in-law, Susana. Determined to win her away from his brother Ramiro, a thief, Octavio resorts to using his dog Cifo in dogfighting circles to raise enough money for him and Susana to run away together.
The second story concerns Daniel, an editor who abandons his wife and two children for a supermodel, Valeria. When Valeria is involved in a car crash (the other car is driven by Octavio) and becomes handicapped, Daniel is forced to take care of her. Then Valeria’s beloved dog Richie becomes lost under the floorboards of her and Daniel's new apartment. The relationship strains the longer the pitiful dog's whines are heard without his rescue.
Finally comes the story of El Chivo, a bitter ex-guerilla turned hit man, who is given a contract to kill a wealthy, powerful businessman. A witness to the fateful car crash, El Chivo rescues Octavio’s dog, Cifo, whom paramedics have placed on the street—and who will teach the dehumanised El Chivo a shattering lesson.
Considered the film that launched the recent new wave of Mexican cinema, Amores Perros is marked by interconnected plots, dizzily fast pacing and gritty realism. In its structure and style (if not necessarily its content) it anticipates a number of films from the past few years, including Crash, City of God, and even Slumdog Millionaire.
Country of origin: Mexico
Year of release: 2000
Running time: 158'
Language: Spanish, with English subtitles
The debut feature by director Alejandro González Iñárritu, Amores Perros features three linked stories based in and around Mexico City. The first tells of Octavio, a young barrio-dweller who is in love with his sister-in-law, Susana. Determined to win her away from his brother Ramiro, a thief, Octavio resorts to using his dog Cifo in dogfighting circles to raise enough money for him and Susana to run away together.
The second story concerns Daniel, an editor who abandons his wife and two children for a supermodel, Valeria. When Valeria is involved in a car crash (the other car is driven by Octavio) and becomes handicapped, Daniel is forced to take care of her. Then Valeria’s beloved dog Richie becomes lost under the floorboards of her and Daniel's new apartment. The relationship strains the longer the pitiful dog's whines are heard without his rescue.
Finally comes the story of El Chivo, a bitter ex-guerilla turned hit man, who is given a contract to kill a wealthy, powerful businessman. A witness to the fateful car crash, El Chivo rescues Octavio’s dog, Cifo, whom paramedics have placed on the street—and who will teach the dehumanised El Chivo a shattering lesson.
Considered the film that launched the recent new wave of Mexican cinema, Amores Perros is marked by interconnected plots, dizzily fast pacing and gritty realism. In its structure and style (if not necessarily its content) it anticipates a number of films from the past few years, including Crash, City of God, and even Slumdog Millionaire.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Screening for Tuesday 11 August: Affair in Trinidad
Director: Vincent Sherman
Country of origin: USA
Year of release: 1952
Running time: 98'
In 1948 Rita Hayworth wed Prince Ali Khan (the third of her five marriages) and unofficially retired from the movies. Four years later, the marriage at an end, Hayworth made her comeback to the silver screen with Affair in Trinidad, a romance thriller that reunited her with Glenn Ford, her co-star from the very successful, highly infamous Gilda (1946).
Hayworth stars in Affair in Trinidad as Chris Emery, a sexy, hip-grinding dancer who works in a sleazy Port of Spain nightclub owned by her husband. When he dies in mysterious circumstances, Chris' life is turned upside down, especially after the police pull her into the investigation.
Her brother-in-law Steve (Ford) then arrives, and the two are drawn deeper into the mystery and, eventually, each other's arms. What Steve doesn’t realise, however, is that Chris is keeping a dangerous secret from him, one that could have fatal consequences for them both.
Affair in Trinidad features steamy dance sequences (Hayworth first appears dancing barefoot to a “calypso” number called “Trinidad Lady”) and dazzling evening gowns (for which the film won a Best Costume Design Academy Award). Even better is the tempestuous pairing of the “Love Goddess” Rita Hayworth and Glenn Ford. Finally, the film offers the irresistible appeal of seeing what Trinidad was like in the early 1950s—as viewed through the eyes of Hollywood.
Country of origin: USA
Year of release: 1952
Running time: 98'
In 1948 Rita Hayworth wed Prince Ali Khan (the third of her five marriages) and unofficially retired from the movies. Four years later, the marriage at an end, Hayworth made her comeback to the silver screen with Affair in Trinidad, a romance thriller that reunited her with Glenn Ford, her co-star from the very successful, highly infamous Gilda (1946).
Hayworth stars in Affair in Trinidad as Chris Emery, a sexy, hip-grinding dancer who works in a sleazy Port of Spain nightclub owned by her husband. When he dies in mysterious circumstances, Chris' life is turned upside down, especially after the police pull her into the investigation.
Her brother-in-law Steve (Ford) then arrives, and the two are drawn deeper into the mystery and, eventually, each other's arms. What Steve doesn’t realise, however, is that Chris is keeping a dangerous secret from him, one that could have fatal consequences for them both.
Affair in Trinidad features steamy dance sequences (Hayworth first appears dancing barefoot to a “calypso” number called “Trinidad Lady”) and dazzling evening gowns (for which the film won a Best Costume Design Academy Award). Even better is the tempestuous pairing of the “Love Goddess” Rita Hayworth and Glenn Ford. Finally, the film offers the irresistible appeal of seeing what Trinidad was like in the early 1950s—as viewed through the eyes of Hollywood.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Welcome the trinidad+tobago film festival 09
Campus Film Classics is pleased to be associated with the trinidad+tobago film festival 09, which runs from September 16 to 29. The festival presents some of the best films by Caribbean filmmakers, as well as films being made about the Caribbean in the Caribbean spirit.
In addition to the main film screenings at MovieTowne in Port of Spain, the festival also encompasses workshops and seminars for filmmakers and others in the film industry, panel discussions with visiting filmmakers, outreach screenings (at StudioFilmClub in Laventille, UWI St Augustine, San Fernando and MovieTowne, Tobago), social events and more.
And for the first time in the festival's history, there will be jury prizes for the best films, including a US $10,000 prize for best feature.
Subscribe to the festival blog for daily festival updates, news, and more.
In addition to the main film screenings at MovieTowne in Port of Spain, the festival also encompasses workshops and seminars for filmmakers and others in the film industry, panel discussions with visiting filmmakers, outreach screenings (at StudioFilmClub in Laventille, UWI St Augustine, San Fernando and MovieTowne, Tobago), social events and more.
And for the first time in the festival's history, there will be jury prizes for the best films, including a US $10,000 prize for best feature.
Subscribe to the festival blog for daily festival updates, news, and more.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Screening for Tuesday 4 August: Rue cases nègres
Director: Euzhan Palcy
Country of origin: Martinique
Year of release: 1983
Running time: 103'
Based on Joseph Zobel’s coming of age novel, the story of Rue cases nègres (Black Shack Alley or Sugar Cane Alley in English) is told through the eyes of José, a young boy growing up with his stern grandmother in the poverty of rural Martinique in the 1930s.
José is friends with Mèdouze, an old field worker who tells José stories of the past and of life in Africa. After Mèdouze’s death José moves with his grandmother to Fort-de-France, where he is to take up a scholarship at a private school. Inspired by Mèdouze’s tales, José begins to write stories that are so accomplished that his teacher is convinced he has plagiarised them.
Humiliated, José runs away from school. When he returns home, however, he finds his grandmother has told his teacher all about Mèdouze’s tales, and the teacher—now full of admiration for the young man—predicts that José will become a great writer.
The debut film by Euzhan Palcy (who would go on to become the first black woman to direct a Hollywood feature, A Dry White Season, starring Marlon Brando), Rue cases nègres is a genuine classic of Caribbean cinema, a vivid and emotional portrait of the colonial society, and one boy’s ability to go beyond the limitations of that society.
(Some info taken from austinfilm.org and imdb.com)
Country of origin: Martinique
Year of release: 1983
Running time: 103'
Based on Joseph Zobel’s coming of age novel, the story of Rue cases nègres (Black Shack Alley or Sugar Cane Alley in English) is told through the eyes of José, a young boy growing up with his stern grandmother in the poverty of rural Martinique in the 1930s.
José is friends with Mèdouze, an old field worker who tells José stories of the past and of life in Africa. After Mèdouze’s death José moves with his grandmother to Fort-de-France, where he is to take up a scholarship at a private school. Inspired by Mèdouze’s tales, José begins to write stories that are so accomplished that his teacher is convinced he has plagiarised them.
Humiliated, José runs away from school. When he returns home, however, he finds his grandmother has told his teacher all about Mèdouze’s tales, and the teacher—now full of admiration for the young man—predicts that José will become a great writer.
The debut film by Euzhan Palcy (who would go on to become the first black woman to direct a Hollywood feature, A Dry White Season, starring Marlon Brando), Rue cases nègres is a genuine classic of Caribbean cinema, a vivid and emotional portrait of the colonial society, and one boy’s ability to go beyond the limitations of that society.
(Some info taken from austinfilm.org and imdb.com)
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