"American Identity: Visions and Revisions," a film series sponsored by the American Studies Program at Fairfield University, opens on Wednesday, September 18, with the first of four diverse films. The series is free and open to the public.

The films will be shown in the Multimedia Room of the University's DiMenna-Nyselius Library on Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. Each film will be introduced by a member of the American Studies faculty, who will field questions from the audience after the screening.

The series begins on Wednesday, September 18, with "Lincoln" (2012). Directed by Steven Spielberg, this epic historical drama features Daniel Day-Lewis in an Oscar-winning performance as one of the most complex U.S. presidents, opposite Sally Field as Mary Todd Lincoln. Elizabeth Petrino, Ph.D., associate professor of English, will present.

The American Studies program will host a brief information session and reception for current students and faculty and anyone who might be interested in the graduate or undergraduate program at 6:30 p.m. prior to the screening. Those interested should RSVP to Lindsay.alexander@fairfield.edu .

On October 24, Marti LoMonaco, Ph.D., professor of theatre, will present "A Streetcar Named Desire" (1951), the searing, Tennessee Williams play brought to cinematic life. Directed by Elia Kazan, the film stars Vivien Leigh as the troubled Blanche DuBois, Kim Hunter as her sister Stella and Marlon Brando as the brutish Stanley.

Next up on November 20 is Spike Lee's "Malcolm X" (1992), with Oscar-nominated Denzel Washington as the controversial and influential Black Nationalist leader. Angela Bassett and Delroy Lindo co-star in this thought-provoking biopic, which will be introduced by Yohuru Williams, Ph.D., professor of history and chair of the Black Studies program.

The series concludes for the fall semester on December 4 with "Hester Street" (1975) presented by Ellen Umansky, Ph.D., Carl and Dorothy Bennett Professor of Judaic Studies. Set in 1896, the film follows Steven Keats as a Russian Jews who emigrated to the United States and has settled on the Lower East Side of New York City, working as a seamster to raise money to bring his wife, played by Carol Kane, and his son to America.

For more information, contact Elizabeth Petrino at epetrino@fairfield.edu .

Posted On: 08-27-2013 11:08 AM

Volume: 46 Number: 30