The National Media Museum, aside from having three screens (including IMAX) in which to fill with great films, also have a lot more film-goodness to offer. This Saturday (28th January) for instance there will be a ‘Saturday School’ event called ‘Sex Lies and… Shame’. A fantastic concept of taking something current – Steve McQueen’s visceral and meticulous study of addiction in modern day New York, Shame – and finding a landmark film from contemporary history from which it draws similarities. Having just watched Shame this week, I am still in awe at McQueen’s mastery of the screen and sheer confidence in his ability; specifically typified with his extremely long takes. These long takes could not be quite so effective, were they not supported by the immensely strong performances scattered throughout the film; not least one of the best performances of the year by far – and no Oscar nomination, what a shock – from Michael Fassbender, playing the sex addicted Brandon, who struggles with conformity and uses his addiction as a way of controlling a world within which he struggles to find a place.
The day is being ran by Rona Murray, who I’ve had the pleasure of meeting when we both attended a previous course at the Museum the other year on African American cinema. See the description of the event below:
“Seen as the movie that kick-started the 1990s American independent boom, Sex, Lies and Videotape also makes a fascinating counterpart to Steve McQueen’s latest film, Shame.
Both are concerned with how sexuality is really experienced in a technological age, and reminds us that cinema is exactly the place to explore those themes of morality and intimacy. This Saturday School considers how movies can tackle these true adult themes and how artist-turned-filmmaker McQueen and filmmaker-turned-artist Soderbergh bring emotion (rather than sex) to the screen.”
The day runs from 10.30 – 16.30 and costs £19.50 (£16 for concessions). Refreshments are provided and having somehow never seen Steven Soderbergh’s breakout film Sex Lies and Videotape, I’m thrilled that a screening of it is included to round off the day.
Full details can be found here, and the number for the box office is 0844 856 3797
There are many more film courses coming up in either the day school format or in the evening class format. They are perfectly mixed, working for film fans of all levels by being informal and welcoming, yet still delivering excellent content and top of the range facilities on which to view the accompanying films. See here for a full list of what’s coming up.
Mike McKenny is The Culture Vulture’s Film Editor. If you know of anything related to film going on, or if you want to contribute to our film content, then get in touch with him. You can find him on Twitter @destroyapathy or you can e-mail him on mike.mckenny1983@gmail.com.
Never seen Sex Lies and Videotape?? I’m shocked.
It’s waaaaaaaaaaay better than Ocean’s Eleven.
Yeah tell me about it. There are sooo many films that I ‘should’ have seen and haven’t, but that’s just the way it is. I always think that had I seen certain ‘essential’ films, then that would only mean that I wouldn’t have seen one of the films I have seen.
I try not to always purposefully seek out those so called ‘essential’ films just because they’re ones you should have seen. That only serves to strengthen pre-existing canonic thinking. I’m mostly on the look out for something that I’ve heard very little about, or that hasn’t been championed through history as much (this leads to some spectacular failures and let dowsn, but that’s part of the fun).
All film is worth it, so I just take what I am given and hope that I will come across a mixture of films I’ve never heard of, those that have taken on – a sometimes problematic – iconic status and everything in between.
Regarding Sex Lies and Videotape, I’m eager to put it right tomorrow though.
BTW…is your email correct on here as I’m trying to send you a film related piece for next week but it is bounching back.
I agree collecting films for the sake of it seems pointless and at some point they pop on DVD or in an arthouse cinema.
You’ll love it thoigh it is very 80s….Out of Sight is his bets work of that period which is a stone cold classic.
Blimey…I’ve just an idea for another feature.
Yeah my e-mail above is correct. I just checked it too and it seems to be working fine.
Out of Sight really is magnificent. I haven’t seen it since I caught it at the cinema, but it has still stayed with me.
Also, having grown up on Jackie Chan and Cynthia Rothrock hong kong martial arts films like Project A, Police Story, Operation Condor, China O’Brien and the likes, I’m really looking forward to seeing Soderbergh’s Haywire. It seems to be taking the unashamedly action comes first approach and having as much physical action as possible wiht the lead doing all her own stunts.