Arts & Entertainment

Bryn Mawr Film Institute: May at a Glance

This month brings two new film courses, screenings, a film festival and a sing-along.

The kicked off May with the screening of “Budrus,” a documentary about the violent West Bank following one man and his daughter, and BMFI's first-ever Skype interview, with human rights advocate Ronit Avni. The rest of May presents two new film courses, the remainder of the inaugural Philadelphia Orchestra Concert Series, the last spring opera, a student short film festival and a sing-along to Oscar-winning “Fiddler on the Roof.”

Public Relations Coordinator Devin Wachs tells us what to expect:

Akiro Kurosawa: East Meets West (6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 4; 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 11; 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 18; 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 25)

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This four-week film course celebrates famed Japanese filmmaker Akiro Kurosawa and explores how he blended genres and styles, combining elements of the American western and samurai ethos. This course was last offered in 2008 and is taught by Paul Wright, who teaches in the English department at Cabrini College and has spent some time teaching in Japan.

Phil Ochs: There But For Fortune (7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 4)

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This documentary screening is co-sponsored by the Philadelphia Folksong Society and will be introduced by radio personality Gene Shay, who founded the annual Philadelphia Folk Festival. The film is about folksinger Phil Ochs, his untimely death and his activism and influence on the political climate. After the screening, MilkBoy Bryn Mawr will host an informal discussion about the documentary and will play a few of Ochs’ songs. 

Masur Conducts Tchaikovsky (2 p.m. Sunday, May 8)

A part of the inaugural season of the Philadelphia Orchestra Concert Series, this will be simulcast live in HD. Kurt Masur will conduct Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 1 and Tchaikovsky’s Sixth Symphony.

Vistas and Vengeance: The Western (6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 10; 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 17; 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 24)

The first class of this four-week film course was offered Tuesday, May 3.  The course, taught by Andrew J. Douglas, was offered before to great success and looks at the cinematic genre of the western, exploring iconography, themes, conflict within the films and attitudes. Both new and old classics are included for discussion.

Rigoletto (7 p.m. Wednesday, May 11; 1 p.m. Sunday, May 15)

This version of the opera was filmed in the cobblestone streets of Mantua, Italy. It features hot up-and-comer Vittorio Griggolo as the Duke. This is the final opera being shown in BMFI’s spring season.

Talk Cinema (10 a.m. Sunday, May 15)

Film industry expert Harlan Jacobsen selects and screens up-and-coming movies before their theatrical release. The films are always a surprise and are followed with a discussion led by local film critics and scholars. This is the final session of Talk Cinema for the season.

The Barrel of a Gun (7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 18)

This is a screening of local director Tigre Hill’s film about the controversy surrounding the murder of white policeman Daniel Faulkner in 1981. Tigre Hill will be there to discuss it.

Main Line Student Film Festival (7 p.m. Thursday, May 19)

This is the third annual Main Line Student Film Festival, which is organized by Brett Boham of the Haverford School. Short films from area high school filmmakers will be screened, and the event in the past two years has elicited great feedback from the community.

Beethoven Symphony No. 9 (2 p.m. Sunday, May 22,;12:30 p.m. Monday, May 23)

This live simulcast will conclude the inaugural season of the Philadelphia Orchestra Concert Series. An encore presentation will be shown Monday afternoon. Wachs called the orchestra series a fun and important venture.

Fiddler on the Roof Sing-along (7 p.m. Wednesday, March 25)

As with other BMFI sing-alongs, you get free popcorn if you come in costume. Don your shtetl-inspired dress, and sing along with Tevye and the rest of the crew. 

Need tickets or more information? Check out BMFI's website.


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