"The difference between independent films and
Hollywood films is very, very little. Hollywood's
looking for the next weirdo movie, and the art
distributors are looking for the next movie that
can cross over. So they are both looking for
impossible things." - John Waters
The Dorothy H. Hirshon Film Festival presents
Independent Film in Focus
April 26 - May 7, 2004
Artist in Residence John Waters
A special series of screenings, panels and master classes presented by the Department of Communication and Film
Carol Wilder, Chair
This annual event was established by a bequest from the late Dorothy Hirshon, a trustee of New School University for 61 years, with the mission of promoting excellence and education in the filmmaking arts. This second Hirshon Film Festival is devoted to independent filmmaking and includes lectures, screenings and master classes with the artist in residence, John Waters.
Throughout his career John Waters has been a writer, producer, director, actor, editor, photographer and filmmaker. He conjures images of young teenagers sneaking out of the house to attend their favorite midnight showings of his fetishistic films. He has explored fantasy culture at its most basic level in films like Hairspray (1988), Polyester (1981), Desperate Living (1977) and Female Trouble (1974). He turns conventional society over to see what may come seeping out.
Over the past fifteen years Waters' film/life commentaries have become more weirdly mainstream and complex with films like Cry Baby (1990), Serial Mom (1994), Pecker (1998) and Cecil B. Demented (2000).
He lives and makes films in Baltimore.
SCHEDULE OF PRIVATE EVENTS
Monday, April 26
John Waters Lecture
4:00-5:30pm, Swayduck Auditorium, 65 Fifth Avenue
Open to The New School Division degree students. RSVP required.
Please click here (PDF File) for more information.
Tuesday, April 27
John Waters Masterclass #1
4:00-5:30pm, Room 1204, 70 5th Avenue
Open to Media Studies M.A. and Film Certificate students. Application required.
Please click here (PDF File) for more information.
Wednesday, April 28
John Waters Masterclass #2
4:00-5:30pm, Room 1204, 70 5th Avenue
Open to Media Studies M.A. and Film Certificate students. Application required.
Please click here (PDF File) for more information.
SCHEDULE OF PUBLIC EVENTS
Friday, April 30
Film Screening
"Cecil B. Demented"
2000, John Waters
7:00-9:30pm, Tishman Auditorium
66 West 12th Street
Please come and enjoy a rare opportunity to hear the filmmaker introduce his film and conduct Q & A afterwards.
The Cecil B. Demented manifesto:
"Cinema terrorists - join the revolution against Hollywood movies! From the empty seats of every good movie theater in America, we will rise up and take back the screen. No English language remakes of foreign films! No more movies based on stupid video games! No sequels to tiresome big-budget blockbusters! Become an avenging angel for underground cinema! ... Stop the mass distribution of mediocre movies! ... Sabotage the cinema, take back the screen! Vandalize the movies, bring back the dream! CELLULUNATICS AND CINEMA SURVIVALISTS, MAKE GOOD MOVIES OR DIE! DEATH TO THOSE WHO ARE CINEMATICALLY INCORRECT!!"
Wednesday, May 5
Film Screening
"New School Indies"
7:00-8:30pm, Parsons Auditorium
66 Fifth Avenue
Join us for an evening of award-winning New School independent films, produced by students past and present.
Thursday, May 6
Panel Discussion
"The Shifting Definition of Independent Film"
8:00-9:30pm, Machinist's Conference Room, 65 Fifth Avenue
Moderated by: Michelle Handleman, Artist, Filmmaker and New School University Faculty Member
Panelists include:
Kelly M. Devine, Film Acquisitions, Independent Film Channel
Melissa Pearl Friedling, Filmmaker and Scholar, New School University Faculty Member, Assistant Professor, Syracuse University
Vladan A. Nikolic, Director and New School University Core Faculty Member
Panelists will discuss the recent history and current situation of independent film, from styles and genres through business and distribution to politics and social movements.
Friday, May 7
The 25th Annual New School Invitational Film Show
7:00-9:00 pm, Tishman Auditorium
66 West 12th Street
Reception to follow
The Invitational Film Show celebrates it's 25th year as it presents this year's most outstanding New School student films. Films shown have been selected in a juried competition by a panel of distinguished filmmakers and film industry professionals.
Note: Unless otherwise noted, all public events are free on a first-come, first-served basis.