A&M University-Corpus Christi Begins University Cinema Film Series: “Documentary Visions”
Documentaries include Gimme Shelter, Bowling for Columbine and Atomic Café
 
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi’s University Cinema will kick off the film series “Documentary Visions,” on Wednesday, March 10 with a screening of the film “Gimme Shelter”at7:30 p.m.in Corpus Christi Hall (CCH), Room 118. The film series is organized by Professor of Communication and TV-Film Dr. Bill Huie. Thirteen films on a diverse range of subjects will be shown, from short entertaining footage of Elvis Presley conversing with former President Richard Nixon to the raucous Rolling Stones tour that ended in tragedy at Altamont Speedway when a Hell’s Angel motorcycle gang member fatally stabbed a member of the audience.

“The documentaries demonstrate different styles of filmmaking. ‘Gimme Shelter’ is a film that uses an unobtrusive style in which the crew did not interfere with the action and were present to record and observe,” said Huie.

Also featured is “Bowling for Columbine,” Michael Moore's provocative Oscar winning documentary of gun-related violence. During the filmMooreuses probing tactics to encourage thought about controversial issues.

“Throughout ‘Bowling for Columbine’ the filmmaker is involved and provokes action by being in the film himself, and the audience is presented with another style of filmmaking,” commented Huie.

Students from Huie’s class will screen the films to develop their ability to identify the different variations of filmmaking. Before each film Huie will give a brief introduction about the style employed.

The films in the series are:

Wednesday, March 10- Gimme Shelter (1970) By Albert and David Maysles. A portrait of Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones during the concert tour that culminated in the tragedy at Altamont Speedway. 90 min.
 
Wednesday, March 24- Bowling for Columbine(2002) Michael Moore's Academy Award-winning exploration of gun-related violence in American culture. 118 min.
 
Wednesday, March 31- Sad Song of Yellow Skin(1970) Made for the National Film Board of Canada by Australian filmmaker Michael Rubbo, Sad Song explores the impact of Americans inSaigonduring the Vietnam War.  60 min.

Bridge to Baghdad II  (2003) Made by Jon Alpert, Brent and Craig Renaud, and others, this film invites young people in Baghdad to talk about life under Saddam and about their views on the war in Iraq. 59 min.
 
Wednesday, April 7-El Salvador: Another Vietnam(1981). Directed by Glenn Silber and Tete Vasconcellos. Academy Award-nominated chronicle of American policy toward Central America since 1948.  53 min.

Witness to War(1985), Directed by Deborah Shaffer and David Goodman. Academy Award-winning story of Dr. Charlie Clements, a pilot in Vietnam who became a physician in El Salvador.
 
Wednesday, April 14- The Atomic Café (1982) Directed by Kevin Rafferty, Jayne Loader, Pierce Rafferty.  Composed entirely of clips from archival footage, this satiric film looks back at the era of atomic bomb testing and fallout shelters.  92 min.
 
Wednesday, April 21- Stranger with a Camera (2000) Directed by Elizabeth Barret.
 
Wednesday, April 28- Human Remains (1998) Directed by Jay Rosenblatt. Surreal and humorous, this film combines archival footage of Stalin, Mussolini, Hitler, Franco, and Mao, with voice-overs, in the first person, recounting mundane, little-known details of their lives.  30 min.  

I Used to be a Filmmaker (2003) Directed by Jay Rosenblatt. This humorous personal film illustrates how the filmmaker's life is changed by the birth of his child. 10 min.

The World as We Know It (2002) By John Haptas and Kristine Samuelson. A short film essay on weapons of war and their effects. 4 min.

The King and Dick (2003). By Scott Calunico and Jeff Radice.  A hilarious account, based on archival documents and photographs, of the Oval Office meeting in 1970 between Elvis Presley and President Richard Nixon. 8 min.

Complaints of a Dutiful Daughter (1994) Directed by Deborah Hoffmann. Emmy Award-winning story spiced with wit and humor about the filmmaker's relationship with her mother, who has Alzheimer's.  44 min.
 
All movies will begin at 7:30 p.m. in CCH, Room 118. The movies are free and open to the public. For more information, call (361) 825-2316.