Edita Bardhi
Opinion Editor
Established in spring of 2017, “Films on the Arts” is an ESU film series that presents a selection of movies for ESU students and everyone alike.
This series was first conducted by, Associate Professor of Theater, James Maroney and continues to befall with the involvement of numerous professors in the art department.
Initially, the series displays three different films per semester. These films may be directed towards one of four things: music, dance, theater, or art.
The films chosen are by an ESU professor specifically in that field. Thus, professors must search within their field to find a movie. In addition, they must conduct a brief introduction before the film.
The reasoning behind the series revolves around educating the students.
“I started the series as a way for students to learn more about the various arts through a medium (film) that many can readily enjoy,” said Maroney.
In the past, the films shown included “Fantasia” (Music), the ballet “Napoli” (Dance), “Waste Land” (Art), “I Pagliacci” (Music), “August: Osage County” (Theater), “Bomb It” (Art), “Coppélia” (Dance), “Born to be Blue” (Music) and “Objectified” (Art).
For the fall of 2018 semester, the three films chosen were “Romeo + Juliet,” “Drumline,” and “Loving Vincent.” Each of these films are of the arts and science field and have deep meaning toward the professors.
One of the three films have already occurred this semester. Specifically, Associate Professor of Theater Christopher Domanski presented “Romeo + Juliet.”
This classic film took place at the Fine Arts Cecilia Recital Hall last Wednesday on Sept. 19. It began at 7:30 p.m.
Likewise, the film was based on William Shakespeare’s play, “Romeo + Juliet.” Its genre was Theater.
Presented by Assistant Professor of Music Brian Hodge, the upcoming film, “Drumline,” coincides with Music.
Its initial plot includes a talented and cocky young drummer. The drummer, Devin Miles, becomes recruited by a fictional Atlanta A&T University’s marching band.
According to Hodge, the film demonstrates a shared experience all great musicians have.
“The idea of a student spending years training to be a talented musician and still unable to read is not a fictional situation – great musicians all the time matriculate from high school into college after spending years performing music without learning a single note. Further, the film does an excellent job of stressing the point that no individual nor component of an organization is more important than any other! “One Band, One Sound” is the pervasive theme of the film, and truly encapsulates the ideal reality of modern music making,” said Hodge.
“I personally love the film. It presents a fairly accurate insight to the goings on of HBCU ‘Showband’ style marching bands, as well as presents some interesting dramatic conflicts to move the film along.”
“Drumline” will be shown on Oct. 10.
Presented by Associate Professor of Art David Mazure, the last film of the semester, “Loving Vincent,” coincides with Art.
This film is an animated biography of the famous painter Vincent van Gogh. Its focus is on the circumstances of his death.
Mazure chose this film as a reflection toward hard work and effort.
“I like to demonstrate to my students that hard work and effort always pay off,” said Mazure.
“Loving Vincent will be shown on Nov. 7.
Like “Romeo + Juliet,” the next two showings will take place at the Fine Arts Cecilia Recital Hall at 7:30 p.m. The schedule for the spring showings will appear right before the semester begins.
Email Edita at:
ebardhi@live.esu.edu
