The U3A Cinema Appreciation class will show films that will occasionally have confrontational issues, maybe with some graphic sex and violence, adult themes, philosophical and/or sociological.
European cinema is known for its free use of frontal male and female nudity. Much more so than most US mainstream films – even recent ones. (Which are often still coy in regard to frontal male nudity.). During the late 1950s and 1960s ‘arthouse cinemas’ cinema goers were a mixture of those who wanted to be titillated, those who wanted an engaging cinema experience and of course migrants with a yearn for Europe and what was happening. Cinema Dendy in Brighton by and large catered for the two latter experiences. Almost exclusively catering for the recent Jewish European emigre clientele. Much later the Rivoli Cinema would copy the same formula.
Whether we like it or not modern cinema has always had confrontational motifs. The Warner Bros gangster and realistic cinema of the 1930s is an excellent example.
Pre censorship relaxation sexual motifs were alluded too post late 1930s in American cinema. Being relaxed in Australia only after the introduction of the R certificate.
Some cinema has always flirted with things on the fringes of not only society but the a person’s perception of themselves and the world.
In these classes we not only explore our feelings on seeing films that we may have seen before. In addition exploring what our maturity as U3A students bring to a deeper cinematic understanding.
Considering how many people it takes to make a film, its actually quite surprising that so many turn out to be so wonderful! The director, producer, screen writer, director of photography and editor all make contributions. Let alone the actors!
Cinema & Human History - Never before in human history have we been able to look back over last hundred years or so, to view our own and other cultures.
Whilst our exploration of Cinema is in its fictional stories and artifice it is amazing how much we can see. From the clothing, hair styles, supposed ‘ideal’ body shapes of the 1950s, to how society looks. Compare the ‘quiet’ and new US freeways of the 1950s to now!
This class has been running since 2005. A listing of films can be found on top bar 'More'.
Discussing Film in a U3A Cinema Class allows a free-flow of ideas. Some will be based on past experiences of a viewing. Some will be other connections. All will be with our life experiences. Everyone has an opportunity to present what they feel about what is seen.