Many of us may be hesitant to travel at the moment, or even to go to the movies; but we can gather to discuss some great films set on the highways and byways. As the recent theatrical release of Nomadland testifies, the American road movie has enduring appeal and seems almost endlessly adaptable to different cultural circumstances. In this four part series we will take a very quick survey of the genre, from a Hollywood studio classic which established the couple as central protagonist and self-determination as a defining force, to a contemporary entry which confronts us with an urgent new take on some of the central concerns in these movies. While this course is designed as a series, the discussions will be focused on the individual films, and participants are welcome to join for any or all sessions. Spread out between April and early June, the four films to be discussed are: It Happened One Night; Bonnie and Clyde; Thelma & Louise; and Queen & Slim. WHAT TO EXPECT: Participants are asked to watch the film in advance using the guiding questions to help prepare for the discussion evening. At the start of each event, the host will explain the format for the evening, provide some additional context, and lead a brief introductory discussion of the film. Participants will then be broken out into smaller groups to discuss the guiding questions, and each evening will conclude with the entire group reconvening and the host providing some final commentary or questions for additional consideration. Registration is free, but you must register for each film discussion separately. You will find all of the registration links on the main event page.
