Film Studies: Films

"Alternately trashy and poignant and sometimes just plain hard to believe these days, here's an irresistible program of black cinema trailers that trace its evolution through its most crucial period, 1946-1976."

"The Bronze Screen honors the past, illuminates the present, and opens a window to the future of Latinos in motion pictures. From silent movies to urban gang films, stereotypes of the Greaser, the Lazy Mexican, the Latin Lover and the Dark Lady are examined. Rare and extensive footage traces the progression of this distorted screen image to the increased prominence of today's Latino actors, writers and directors."

Footage from over 120 films showing the changing face of homosexuality in film.

"Black films of the 1920s through mid 1950s are shown as a mirror of the Black experience of the time. They developed as a reaction to the way African Americans were depicted by film makers such as D.W. Griffith. This program focuses on the innovative works of film makers Spencer Williams, Oscar Micheaux, Eloyse Gist, and Clarence Muse. Includes clips from their various works."

"Travelling through the heartland of America, Cree filmmaker Neil Diamond examines how the myth of the movie "Injun" has influenced the world's understanding - and misunderstanding - of Natives. With clips from hundreds of classic and recent films, and candid interviews with celebrated Native and non-Native directors, writers, actors and activists, including Clint Eastwood, Robbie Robertson, Sacheen Littlefeather, John Trudell, Charlie Hill and Russell Means, Reel Injun traces the evolution of cinema's depiction of Native people from the silent film era to the present day."

"A fictional documentary meticulously reconstructing the life of the Ojibway Indians before the white man had settled in the Hudson Bay area. The 'enemy' they battle is the hunger that threatens the tribe." Originally released as a motion picture in 1930.

"From silent film star Sessue Hayakawa to Harold & Kumar Go to Whitecastle, (t)he Slanted Screen explores the portrayals of Asian men in American cinema, chronicling the experiences of actors who have had to struggle against ethnic stereotyping and limiting roles. The film presents a critical examination of Hollywood's image-making machine through a fascinating parade of 50 film clips spanning a century."