The Polk Museum of Art at Florida Southern College will debut a film series on Feb. 10 at 6 p.m.
The Art of Film will be held monthly and is free to the public. The selected films, which will often echo the themes of one of the museum’s current exhibitions, will include internationally-renowned independent and arts-related movies.
The first film in the series is “The City of Lost Children,” directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Marc Caro, and starring Ron Perlman.
Released in 1996, this French film was selected to accompany the current “Renoir: Les Études” exhibition, which runs through March 11. “The City of Lost Children” is about a scientist in a surrealist society who kidnaps children to steal their dreams, hoping that they slow his aging process.
Prior to show time at 6:30 p.m., the museum’s galleries are open for viewing. A discussion will be held at the film’s conclusion, and will feature the following Florida Southern professors:
” Matthew Herbertz, a filmmaker and film studies professor
” William Allen, a filmmaker and digital communication professor
” Alex Rich, an art history professor and the Polk Museum of Art’s curator
Many museums throughout the country offer film series, and Rich was excited to collaborate with Herbertz and Allen to bring a series to the Polk Museum of Art, he said.
The series will expose attendees to films that aren’t likely to be seen elsewhere in the community, and will encourage the viewing of films in a new light. The professors approach the films more from the standpoint of appreciating filmmaking as an art instead of just an entertainment form, Herbertz said.
During the discussions that follow, filmmaking elements such as color, technique and content will be discussed.
“The series creates an opportunity where we’re encouraged to critically think about the medium,” Herbertz said.
Registration is requested but not required: https://polkmuseumofart.org/upcoming-events/filmfeb18.
About the Polk Museum of Art at Florida Southern College
The Polk Museum of Art at Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida, is a private, not-for-profit academic museum dedicated to promoting inspirational and engaging arts experiences for all. It is one of the Top 10 art museums in the State of Florida, an Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and the only art museum accredited by the American Alliance of Museums serving the 561,000 residents of Polk County. Museum hours are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesdays – Saturdays; 1-5 p.m. Sundays (closed Sundays June 1 through Labor Day) and closed Mondays and major holidays. Admission is free for everyone year-round, thanks to the following organizations: MIDFLORIDA Credit Union; the Ting Tsung and Wei Fong Chao Foundation; and the Share Foundation. The museum is fully accessible.
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