John Sayles: Truth, Beauty and Integrity | Zoom

Course Description:

The films of acclaimed writer-director John Sayles have etched a unique and indelible place in the history of American independent cinema. Encompassing multiple genres, from science fiction to Westerns to political drama, what unifies Sayles' eclectic body of work is his lifelong commitment to equity, justice and human rights. Notwithstanding his status as a MacArthur "genius award" recipient and multiple Academy Award nominee, Sayles eschews the red carpet and prefers to premiere his films for the public, free of charge, at an old drivein movie theater near Poughkeepsie, New York, close to his home. Sayles’ uncompromising cinematic vision has influenced two generations of "indie" directors who succeeded him. We'll explore four of his works: "The Brother from Another Planet" (1984), "Matewan" (1987), "Passion Fish" (1992), and "Lone Star" (1996). (Participants will view these films on their own prior to class.)