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."
The Sense of the Ridiculous in Film
Six Excursions into Hilarity
Charlie Chaplain’s unsurpassed sense of the ridiculous
made film the universal art of the Modern Era. These six
films trace the progression from the seemingly ordinary
to the preposterous, the ridiculous and the hilarious.
Films of this sort are difficult to make because they
require a blend of childish naïveté and perfect timing.
When they succeed, the effect is uncontrollable laughter.
What these six films reveal is that comedy is truly the
sublime art because it bestows happiness, heals and
keeps us from the perils of egotism.
Film selection and order of presentation are subject to change.
Six Lectures
- “Kind Hearts and Coronets” (1949, U.K.) - A classic British film that surveys the ruthless snobbery
of the aristocracy penetrated and undone by an outsider.
- “The Tall Blond Man with One Black Shoe” (1972, France) - A musician returning to Paris by plane after
a concert is absent-mindedly wearing one brown and
one black shoe. The French secret service takes an
interest in this anomaly.
- “Sleeper” (1973, U.S.) - The owner of “The Happy Carrot” health food store
(Woody Allen) falls asleep for 200 years. When he
awakens, bafflement and idiocy rule.
- “Naked Gun” (1988, U.S.) - An incompetent detective (Leslie Nielsen) reveals
almost every aspect of American social reality to be one
step away from absurdity and chaos. A clear example
example of endemic stupidity.
- “That Man From Rio” (1964, France/U.S., English Subtitles) - An exorbitantly creative foray into the
intrigues end exoticism of South America. The source of
the “Indiana Jones” films and hidden treasure.
- “The Life of Brian” (1979, U.K.) - This incredibly funny, yet highly intelligent film, is a
brilliant satire on the Hollywood Bible Epic genre. It
describes the life and career of a man born in another
manger who is mistaken for the Messiah. The cleverness
of the film combines comedy with a penetrating insight
into religious zeal.
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| Course # SUR1 — Full 6 Weeks
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| Place: | Auditorium, Lifelong Learning Complex, Jupiter Campus |
| Dates: | Thursdays, May 16, 23, 30; June 6, 13, 20 2019 |
| Time: | 1 - 3:30 PM |
| Fee: | $60 / member; $85 / non-member |
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