It's been said, "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got." This SDG will explore 14 groundbreaking films and directors of the 1960s and 1970s- a transformative period in cinema marked by innovation, rebellion against traditional norms, and a new level of artistic expression. These films got something different, as they reflect the social, political, and cultural upheavals of their time, reshaping the language of cinema and influencing future generations of filmmakers.

Knowing is not the same as doing. The directors featured in this course did it differently: Hal Ashby, Arthur Penn, Stanley Kubrick, Mike Nichols, Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, John Schlesinger and Roman Polanski- artists who crafted narratives that pushed boundaries, explored complex themes, and introduced novel filmmaking techniques. Their works defined what is now referred to as the New Hollywood Era.

SDG participants will earnestly research and enjoy discussions on  how these films reflected and influenced a rapidly changing society. We will analyze creative, new techniques, narrative innovations and cultural themes, gaining an understanding of why this era remains pivotal in film history. Beyond simple storylines and characters' relationships, we will examine the historical and cultural contexts of these films, the directors’ artistic newness and influence on modern cinema, and identify and consider key themes, including alienation, societal upheaval and moral ambiguity.

Films scheduled as of now, pending availability: Coming Home, Being There, Bonnie and Clyde, 2001: A Space Odyssey, A Clockwork Orange, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? The Graduate, Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, The Godfather, Apocalypse Now, Midnight Cowboy, Rosemary’s Baby and Chinatown.  

Join Linda Kelemer and me for friendly and in-depth discussions and analysis, culminating in an appreciation of the lasting impact of the 1960s and 1970s cinematic revolution.

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