- Lone Star, by John SaylesRubenstein Arts Center at Duke University, Durham, NC
Lone Star[3] is a 1996 American neo-Western mystery film written, edited, and directed by John Sayles. Set in a small town in South Texas, the film deals with a sheriff's (played by Chris Cooper) investigation into the murder of one of his predecessors (Kris Kristofferson) decades earlier. The cast also stars Joe Morton, Elizabeth Peña, Clifton James, Ron Canada, Frances McDormand and Matthew McConaughey.
The film premiered at the 1996 South by Southwest Festival and received widespread critical acclaim, with critics regarding it as a high point of 1990s independent cinema as well as one of Sayles' best films. Sayles' screenplay was nominated for an Academy Award, BAFTA Award, and Golden Globe Award. The film was also nominated for four Independent Spirit Awards, with Elizabeth Peña winning Best Supporting Female.
Lone Star was recognized by the American Film Institute in AFI's 10 Top 10 list in 2008 as a nominated Western Film.[4]The movie is free and open to the public. Let us meet at 6:45, to meet and greet for the 7 PM start. Afterwards we can discuss the film in the lobby.
- The Cow (1969) at the Duke Screen SocietyRubenstein Arts Center at Duke University, Durham, NC
(Dariush Mehrjui, 1969, 104 min, Iran, Farsi with English subtitles, Digital)
Introduced by Bahman Maghsoudlou, director of Dariush Mehrjui: Making THE COWOne of the defining works of the Iranian New Wave, The Cow (1969) follows a farmer named Hassan, whose only source of joy and livelihood is his cow. When the cow is mysteriously killed one night, a metamorphosis ensues. Based on short stories by psychiatrist Gholam-Hossein Sa’edi, Mehruji’s landmark feature melds neorealism, surrealism, and mysticism in a deeply moving exploration of solitude, obsession, and grief. The Cow was funded by the Iranian government, yet was immediately banned after completion due to its negative portrayal of rural Iranian poverty. The film was smuggled to the Venice Film Festival in 1971 where it won the FIPRESCI or critics’ prize, rapidly gaining international recognition as a masterpiece thereafter. Poignantly wrapped in layers of religion and leftist politics (two major forces of the 1979 revolution), The Cow charted a new future for Iranian cinema.
Cannes Film Festival, Director’s Fortnight, 1971
FIPRESCI Prize, Venice Film Festival, 1971
OCIC Award – Recommendation, Berlin International Film Festival, 1972
Will be followed on Friday by:
Dariush Mehrjui: Making THE COW (Bahman Maghsoudlou, 2022)
November 22, 2024 7:00pmhttps://cinematicarts.duke.edu/screensociety/screenings/cow-dariush-mehrjui-1969
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0064356Let's gather 15 min before the show (which starts at 19:00) in front of the theater.
Group discussion will follow in the Rubenstein lobby or, if there is enough interest, at some downtown location nearby.
