General Education Film Series

Description
The General Education Film Series presently organized by David Shoenthal (Mathematics/Computer Science) Melissa Panzarello (Communication Studies/Theatre) and to show foreign and/or independent films that explore themes not commonly found in box-office offerings. The films support the conceptual foundation of the General Education program.

These films are intended for a university audience and are not appropriate for children.

Goals of Gen Ed Film Series
Spring 2010 Schedule
Film Summaries
Previous Films Shown

Goals

Provide opportunities to increase students' cultural, artistic, and information literacy by presenting films that contain themes not commonly found in Hollywood cinema.

Provide opportunities for synthesizing information from diverse media.

Foster interdisciplinary understanding and critical thinking through the medium of independent and foreign cinema.

Introduce students to a lifelong learning resource.

 

Spring Semester 2011 Schedule

Film Summaries

The Cartel
Filmmaker Bob Bowdon highlights the struggles of the United States education system. 

“Coherent, frequently clever and engaging.”  – L.A. Times

Not rated.
Rotten Tomatoes Reviews | Internet Movie Database entry

Goodbye Solo
Solo is a cheerful 34-year-old taxi driver from Senegal hoping for a better life in America. But when the hard-edged William , a 70-year-old white Southerner, enters Solo's cab with an unusual request, this odd couple embarks on a journey that will change them both forever.

“Wonderful, moving and mysterious.” – New York Times

Rated R.
Rotten Tomatoes Reviews | Internet Movie Database entry

A Film Unfinished
Since the end of WWII, one copy of a 60-minute (unfinished) propaganda film, shot by the Nazis in the Warsaw Ghetto in May 1942 (a year prior to the uprising), labeled simply "Ghetto," sat undisturbed in an East German archive. A FILM UNFINISHED presents the entire film. 

“A Film Unfinished reminds you that the nightmare of the Holocaust knows no limits. .” –Chicago Tribune

Rated R.
Rotten Tomatoes Reviews | Internet Movie Database entry

Last Train Home
Every spring, China's cities are plunged into chaos as 130 million migrant workers journey to their home villages for the New Year's holiday. Last Train Home follows the journey of one couple who have embarked on this annual trek for almost two decades.

“Heartbreaking and humanistic in the best sense.” – Kansas City Star

Rated PG.
Rotten Tomatoes Reviews | Internet Movie Database entry

35 Shots of Rum
A widower is cared for by his daughter, who also becomes a "step-wife" for him.

“35 Shots of Rum is visual poetry.” –Philadelphia Inquirer

Not rated.
Rotten Tomatoes Reviews | Internet Movie Database entry

Questions?
David Shoenthal
434 395 2193

Melissa Panzarello
434 395 2470