Photo for representational purposes only
Doha, Qatar: The Doha Film Institute (DFI) has announced the upcoming series of its online programme, “Watching the Classics,” which aims to deepen the knowledge of filmmakers and cinephiles about film history.
The fourth session of the lecture series will take place on July 24 and will be presented by the esteemed scholar Richard Peña, Professor of Film Studies at Columbia University and Director Emeritus of the New York Film Festival.
The “Watching the Classics” lecture series features in-depth discussions on renowned world cinema classics. Each session focuses on a specific film, with select images and clips included for analysis and discussion.
Participants also have the opportunity to send their questions to Professor Peña, which will be addressed at the end of each session.
The upcoming lecture on July 24 will explore the theme of “Making Movies Modern.”
DFI explained on its website that during the late 1950s, traditional cinematic models and approaches began to break down worldwide.
New generations of filmmakers embraced technological advancements to establish closer connections between their films and the physical world.
Additionally, there was a noticeable emphasis on the portrayal of interior and mental states, leading to more pronounced and intense depictions.
These changes were influenced by significant transformations in other artistic media such as painting, dance, and novels. By 1960, this cinematic revolution manifested as a series of “new waves” in countries like France, Poland, Japan, Italy, Brazil, and even Hollywood.
The nine-part lecture series, titled “Making Movies Modern,” will delve into this cinematic revolution, examining its major trends, tendencies, and iconic works.
Some of the celebrated filmmakers whose works will be discussed include Luis Buñuel, Jean-Luc Godard, Michelangelo Antonioni, and Andrei Tarkovsky. Each session will also feature a detailed analysis of the selected film for that week.
The fourth session of the series, which will take place on July 24 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm, will focus on Jean-Marie Straub’s films “Machorka-Muff” and “Not Reconciled.”
Interested individuals can register for the lecture series through DFI’s website, with a lecture fee of QR70. Culture Pass members are eligible for a 20% discount, bringing the fee down to QR56.
The programme is open to applicants over the age of 18 and best suited for those with some knowledge of filmmaking and who wish to expand their understanding of film history, DFI said.
This engaging programme offers an invaluable opportunity for film enthusiasts and industry professionals to gain a deeper understanding of the evolution of cinema and its impact on modern filmmaking.
