This semester, Trinity University’s Classical Receptions Film Series will present “Ancient Histories of the Future,” primarily focusing on films within the science fiction genre. The film screenings will take place Thursdays at 7 p.m. in room 320 of the Richardson Communications Center. Each showing will be preceded by an introduction to the film of the week by classical studies professor Benjamin Stevens.
The film series, now in its seventh semester at Trinity, has often coordinated with courses in the department of classical studies.
“I think classical studies … has viewed it as a way of connecting to students who may not realize they are interested in classics, or for those who are, as a way of linking them to other related subject matters,” Stevens said.
This year’s film series focuses on ways in which modern genre and the ancient classics come together, coordinating this semester’s films with the First-Year Experience course HUMA 1600, “Great Books of the Ancient World,” as well as the comparative literature course CMLT 1317, “Classics & Science Fiction.” However, Stevens highlighted that it’s not necessary for those interested in attending the film series to be enrolled in either course, as all interested students are encouraged to attend.
“I think for people who attend the series it’ll really be an interesting opportunity to try to think through the question of how do ancient humanities and a characteristic modern genre like science fiction intersect in ways that aren’t obvious,” Stevens said.
Upcoming films which will be shown include “Unforgiven” (1992), a Western that can be thematically linked to Homer’s “Iliad,” “Forbidden Planet” (1956), a science fiction adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “The Tempest,” which itself draws on inspiration from classical antiquity, and sci-fi classics “2001: A Space Odyssey” (1968) and “The Matrix” (1999).
For the first time, the film series will connect to a new student organization, the Trinity University Film Club. Maggie Lupo, a sophomore who frequented the film series in the past, will be taking on the role of president for the club’s inaugural semester.
“The film club … is really centered around this film series, but we’re also going to have other meetings about film,” Lupo said.
Sophomore Allison Carr, who attended screenings connected to the film series in the past, will step into the role of vice president for the club. Carr stressed the opportunity for students who come to the series to think deeply and have discussions about each film.
“You can have really great conversations, and we get to have a lot of fun … you learn something, but it’s entertaining to the point where it’s like, you know what, if you just want to come, just come and watch a movie! We welcome everyone,” Carr said.
Stevens also highlighted the film series as being an opportunity to learn more about the subject of cinema.
“Science fiction has been a real part of how the technology of cinema has continued to innovate,” Stevens said. “The technique has advanced and so students who come to any one of the films will get an introduction to aspects of movie making, sort of how to perceive that onscreen, and I’d say if they come for more than one, for the whole series, they’ll really get to see a wide range of techniques, artistic styles, and I hope just have their minds blown.”
For those seeking more information on the Trinity University Film Club, contact Maggie Lupo at [email protected]. For more information on the Classical Receptions film series, you can contact Benjamin Stevens at [email protected].
