Thursday, May 29, 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Instructor: Jacob Mazer, Director of Programs and Education, BMFI
Unfolding like a Hardy Boys adventure from hell, David Lynch’s Blue Velvet (1986) follows a squeaky-clean college boy whose curiosity is piqued by the discovery of a human ear in a field. But when he decides to play detective, his investigation quickly becomes a surreal descent into darkness. Upon its release, some critics declared the film an instant classic while others decried it as bizarre and obscene, but not even its detractors could deny that they’d encountered a work of uncommon power and intensity. Nearly four decades later, the recently passed Lynch is recognized as one of the medium’s greats, with Blue Velvet marking a crucial turning point in his career and creative development.
This seminar will frame the film within the contexts of the director’s oeuvre, Hollywood’s neo-noir boom, and Reagan-era nostalgia for the 1950s. We’ll then examine Lynch’s recurring themes, techniques, and motifs in order to orient ourselves within the “Lynchian” sensibility and develop some interpretive tools that will help us unpack the work. For longtime devotees, this seminar will be an opportunity for deep engagement with one of the director’s essential statements, while offering newcomers to his films—or those daunted by their strangeness—a guided journey into Lynch’s beautiful, dangerous, and unforgettable world.
Are you interested in “just” seeing this movie? Visit the public screening page here.
Cinema Classics Seminars offer an entertaining and engaging way to learn more about some of the true classics of world cinema. All students receive an introductory lecture before the film and a guided discussion after the film. In addition, those in attendance receive a ticket to see it on the big screen, as well as popcorn and a drink. Please note: the screening associated with this seminar will be open to the public, as well.
Please contact BMFI Programs and Education Coordinator Jill Malcolm with any questions.
$25 for members, $35 for non-members
Schedule