The Dartmouth Film Society, one of the most unique student organizations on campus, started off the winter term with a block of popular and controversial films. The focus this term, the "art of cinematography," highlights the technical genius behind the creation of films.
The Film Society, headed by Owen Gottlieb '95, initiates a "series" to be explored at the start of every term. This term's focus examines the artistry of filmmaking from several time periods and geographic backgrounds.
Gottlieb describes the DFS as a "living museum of cinematic art," an organization that is both "artistic and educational." In the winter calendar, he notes "To the untrained eye, the creation of film imagery often goes unnoticed. Color, composition, tone, texture and movement as created by a director of photography are referred to by many as 'painting with light'."
DFS, the oldest film society in the United States, began in the 1940's. It has evolved since then into an organization which caters to a diverse range of interests and tastes. It continues to showcase the masterpieces of worldwide theater in its "series."
The films screened this winter are eclectic. Along with classics like "Cool Hand Luke" and "Wuthering Heights," there are new wave creations like the Japanese film, "The Insect Woman." The common thread that they all share, however, is the craftsmanship in direction and photography.
What makes them especially powerful is Spaulding Auditorium's cinemascope screen. Outside of New York and Los Angeles, Dartmouth offers one of the few facilities where these type of films may be viewed.
One of the special features this term includes "Lonesome" which is shown with a live orchestra, and "Night of the Hunter," which Gottlieb describes as an "intense visual experience."
The facilities at Spaulding affords DFS the opportunity to show films with extraordinary audiovisual character. During the first week of winter term, DFS screened "Cool Hand Luke," "Ed Wood" and "Pulp Fiction."
"Among the goals of the first few films is to attract an audience," Rachel Roisman '96, a directorate member of DFS said.
Roisman researches the films and works with Bill Pence of the Hopkins Center to implement them into the series. DFS recommends "Lonesome," the double features "Night of the Hunter"/"Sweet Smell of Success" and "I am Cuba."
