Film Appreciation
Benito Rakower, Ed.D., was educated at Queens College and Harvard University, where he received a doctorate in the teaching of English. Dr. Rakower taught writing at Harvard College, and has lectured on film at the French Library in Boston.
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- "The class was enjoyable and educational."
- "Dr. Rakower does extensive research on his topics for class."
Now What Is Love?
The Rapture and Anguish of Love
The theme of falling in love is central to film and
literature. Every film on the subject discovers love’s force
“for the first time.” But it was the ancient Greeks who
recognized love’s curious affinity to beauty and made it
the basis of literature. Hollywood took up that idea and
went even further. These eight films present the onset of
love in a variety of circumstances and outcomes.
Film selection and order of presentation are subject
to change.
Eight Lectures
- “Strangers When We Meet” (1960, American) - A successful architect is bored with his wife and finds that
his beautiful neighbor is neglected by her husband. Kirk
Douglas and Kim Novak fall into the disarray of
passionate love.
- “Love With a Proper Stranger” (1963, American) - An innocent Catholic girl — played by Natalie Wood —
finds that she is pregnant by a man who does not even
remember her at first — Steve McQueen. They try to get
an abortion, but inadvertently fall in love.
- “French Kiss” (1995, American) - An American woman flies to Paris after her fiancé falls in
love with a French woman while he is on a business trip.
En route, the American woman sits next to a Frenchman
who is derelict, a misfit and a petty crook. He offers to
help her win back her ex-fiancé. Their venture goes
completely awry.
- “Kiss Me” (2011, Swedish, english subtitles) - A young woman engaged to be married, meets her
fiancé’s family. At a family gathering, she notices her
future step-mother’s daughter. They fall deliriously in
love. The many subtle nuances and charms of this film
are enhanced by the Swedish language itself.
- “Sweet November” (2001, American) - Film has the ability to bring two improbable people
together so that they somehow become indispensable
lovers. Two Hollywood actors with a subtle, domestic
chemistry share a brief, fated love.
- “Le Sauvage”(1976, French, english subtitles) - Two impossibly attractive and legendary French actors
alone on a paradisiac island, struggling to escape each
other. A feast to watch. Love triumphant in an ultimate
escapist film, with great style.
- “Leap Year” (2010, American) - An American woman goes to Ireland to propose to her
fiancé believing this is allowed by Irish lore. The
unexpected always happens in film.
- “Happy New Year” (1973, French, english subtitles) - A suave film about mature people who find that waiting
requires sophisticated strategies — very French — that
challenge the male ego.
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| Course # F8F5 — Full 8 Weeks
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| Place: | Auditorium, Lifelong Learning Complex, Jupiter Campus |
| Dates: | Fridays, October 19, 26; November 2, 9, 16, 30; December 7, 14 2018 |
| Time: | 1:30 - 4 PM |
| Fee: | $80 / member; $110 / non-member |
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Register Now
Now What Is Love? (Last Four Weeks Only)
The Rapture and Anguish of Love
The theme of falling in love is central to film and
literature. Every film on the subject discovers love’s force
“for the first time.” But it was the ancient Greeks who
recognized love’s curious affinity to beauty and made it
the basis of literature. Hollywood took up that idea and
went even further. These eight films present the onset of
love in a variety of circumstances and outcomes.
Film selection and order of presentation are subject
to change.
Four Lectures
- “Sweet November” (2001, American) - Film has the ability to bring two improbable people
together so that they somehow become indispensable
lovers. Two Hollywood actors with a subtle, domestic
chemistry share a brief, fated love.
- “Le Sauvage”(1976, French, english subtitles) - Two impossibly attractive and legendary French actors
alone on a paradisiac island, struggling to escape each
other. A feast to watch. Love triumphant in an ultimate
escapist film, with great style.
- “Leap Year” (2010, American) - An American woman goes to Ireland to propose to her
fiancé believing this is allowed by Irish lore. The
unexpected always happens in film.
- “Happy New Year” (1973, French, english subtitles) - A suave film about mature people who find that waiting
requires sophisticated strategies — very French — that
challenge the male ego.
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| Course # F4F6 — Last 4 Weeks
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|
| Place: | Auditorium, Lifelong Learning Complex, Jupiter Campus |
| Dates: | Fridays, November 16, 30; December 7, 14 2018 |
| Time: | 1:30 - 4 PM |
| Fee: | $40 / member; $60 / non-member |
|
|
Register Now
