Two UB professors brought DVD audio commentary to life at the Buffalo Film Seminars as they discussed the elements behind classic films.
The 18th edition of the Buffalo Film Seminars began Jan. 13 at the Market Arcade Film & Arts Center with the 1932 Carl Theodor Dreyer horror film "Vampyr."
The Buffalo Film Seminars began nine years ago to help suburbanize the downtown Buffalo region. As the series continues, the Buffalo community has shown an increased interest in the seminar.
The seminars are based around the UB Film Directors course in the Department of English, and also welcome the public to join in on the discussions about the films before and after they are shown.
"Buffalo has a very sophisticated film audience," said Diane Christian, a Distinguished Professor in the Department of English.
Christian and Distinguished Professor Bruce Jackson discuss the technical aspects of the movies at each showing, and Christian explains the thematic characteristics.
According to Tracy Janis, general manager of the Market Arcade Film & Arts Center, the seminars draw an estimated 45 students and occasionally as many as 150 to 200 other guests.
The films this semester, selected by Christian and Jackson, range in time from 1932 to 1999 and have themes as diverse as horror and romance. Martin Gugino, a UB alumnus, frequently comes back to visit from his home in Los Angeles, not only his mother but also the Buffalo Film Seminars.
"Nine dollars for a movie sounds like a lot but the conversation makes it worth it. I definitely come for the discussion," Gugino said.
After already seeing several of the films selected for the seminars and being left with a bad taste for it, Gugino said that on numerous occasions he has changed his opinion of films, such as Stanley Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket, because of the discussions led by Christian and Jackson.
"I was really negative towards the film before I came and after I left [due to the explanation of technical and thematic views], I said, 'Wow' to myself and could no longer hate it," Gugino said.
Although the Film Directors course, which covers ticket costs for students, is full for the semester, the Buffalo Film Seminars encourage new spectators.
"[The seminars] are intense because they are focused which makes for a much better and sharper viewing," Christian said. "[Viewers] are aware; we encourage students to look at each film on their own which creates a communal aspect."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
