This fall, playwright and former President of the Czech Republic
Václav Havel will be in New York for several weeks at the invitation of the Arts Initiative at Columbia University. As part of this program, The Film Society and the Arts Initiative will host a panel discussion featuring a number of distinguished American filmmakers, producers and critics that will address the often complex relationship between the cinema and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. The panel will include James Schamus, Michael Moore and Rory Kennedy.
Considering the continuing popularity of the cinema, and its role in forming ideas and images of history, society and
culture, do filmmakers need to be especially aware of the impact of their art — perhaps even more than other artists? What impact has globalization had on the role of artists within specific national cultures? And how will technological changes affecting how movies are made, distributed and experienced change the role of the filmmaker in society?
Join us for what promises to be a lively and informative
discussion of these and other issues inspired by a man who has come to embody the idea of the politically engaged artist in our time.
Complimentary passes to this panel discussion are available online as well as at the Walter Reade Theater box office. Please note: limit of two passes per patron.
