Posts tagged Academy Award
Constantine Santas to examine the films of David Lean
Sep 27th
On Wednesday, October 17 at 7 p.m. Dr. Constantine Santas will discuss his latest book “The Epics of David Lean” in the Gamache-Koger Theater in the Ringhaver Student Center at Flagler College. Santas is professor emeritus and former chair in the Flagler Department of English. He is also the author of “Responding to Film” and “The Epic in Film: from Myth to Blockbuster.”
Santas has long been fascinated with the epic film and with Lean’s work in particular. And with good reason: widely regarded as one of cinema’s most accomplished directors, David Lean twice received the Academy Award for best director, and two of his films, “The Bridge on the River Kwai” and “Lawrence of Arabia” won the Oscar for best picture. Both are featured on the American Film Institute’s Top 100.
But despite the awards and accolades for these motion pictures, many critics often look more favorably upon the smaller films that Lean produced earlier in his career, and in recent years his reputation as a director has diminished. In his newest book, Santas seeks to restore these now undervalued epics to the elevated esteem they once held. He argues that the epics show a progression and refinement of Lean’s work and that they are thematically broader and feature more complex characterization than his earlier films. In his talk at Flagler, he will provide background material on the production of each epic; examine insights into structure, characters, techniques, and themes; and look into the relationship between the films and their literary sources.
“The idea for this book started back in the 1990s, when I read a paper on ‘The Bridge on the River Kwai,’ at a Flagler Colloquium, sponsored by the English Department, under Professor Carl Horner,” remembers Santas. “I was drawn by the artistic values of the epics of David Lean, several of which I taught in my film classes regularly. One particular aspect of the epics that gave me food for thought was that all of them were derived from literary sources. That fact motivated me to connect literature, T.E. Lawrence’s “Seven Pillars of Wisdom,” for instance, which became the basis for “Lawrence of Arabia,” with film studies.”
Santas credits an ongoing fascination with the epics, as well as the assistance of the Flagler community, with helping him to write the book. “I believed that there were universal values in all the epics, and I was more convinced that this was so as I progressed in my research, considerably aided by the librarians at Flagler College,” he says. “I express my gratitude to them, to my colleagues, and especially to my students at Flagler over the years for keeping the flame alive.”
The reading and discussion will be held in the Gamache-Koger Theater at the Ringhaver Student Center at 50 Sevilla Street. The event is free and open to the public, but seating is limited and is on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are a person with a disability and need reasonable accommodations, please contact Lynn Francisco at 904-819-6460. Sign Language Interpreters are available upon request with a minimum of three days’ notice. Call (904) 819-6339 or visit www.flagler.edu/our-community/events/writers-in-residence for more information.
Source: Flagler College
This Weekend in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra, and The Beaches: July 13 – 15
Jul 11th
All the President’s Men Film Screening
Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman star as the two journalists from the Washington Post investigating the Watergate scandal in this 1976 Academy Award winning film. Keeping with the movie’s political theme, St. John’s County Board of Elections will be on-site at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, 1050 A1A North, to assist residents with voter registration. Tickets for this film are $5. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., movie starts at 7:30 p.m. 904-209-0367. http://www.pvconcerthall.com
Saturday: July 14
GTM Research Reserve 2nd Saturday Trail Hike
A GTM Research Reserve staff and/or volunteer-led 1.5 mile walk that the entire family will enjoy. Meet at the Trailhead Pavilion at 8:30 a.m. Wear comfortable closed-toe shoes. There is a $3 per vehicle parking fee. GTM Research Reserve Environmental Education Center, 505 Guana River Rd., Ponte Vedra Beach. 904-823-4500.
“E-Publishing: The Future is Now!” Workshop
A comprehensive 3-hour workshop presenting information by e-publishing professionals. Registration is $75. Workshop starts at 8:30 a.m. at St. Augustine’s Gamache-Koger Theatre in Flagler College’s Ringhaver Student Center, 74 King Street. Free continental breakfast included. http://www.fhbookfest.com
Sam Cook Tribute Concert
Patric Robinson will perform chart-topping hits made famous by Sam Cook! The show takes place at the Pioneer Barn in St. Augustine, 259 San Marco Ave, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $12. 904-824-8874. http://www.fortmenendez.com
Friday & Saturday: July 13 & 14
Spirits with Spirits
Special Friday the 13th Paranormal Pub Tour in St. Augustine. Tickets are $17. Book online and save $2 plus your first beer is free! This 2.5-hour tour starts at 8 p.m. at 69 St. George Street. Reservations required. 904-392-7137. http://www.staugustinehistorictours.com
Pirate Superstitions Pub Crawl
Learn about pirates in St. Augustine while enjoying your favorite brew on this special Friday the 13th Pirate Superstitions Pub Crawl. Tickets are $17. Book online and save $2 plus your first beer is free! This 2.5-hour tour starts at 8 p.m. at 69 St. George Street. Reservations required. 904-392-7137. http://www.staugustinehistorictours.com
Friday, Saturday & Sunday: July 13, 14, 15
Kingfish Challenge
Friday is the Junior Kingfish Challenge, Tournament Registration and the Captain’s Meeting. The main Kingfish Challenge and Backwater Challenge take place on Saturday and Sunday. There will also be a fish fry and awards on Sunday at the St. Augustine City Marina, 111 Avenida Menendez. For more information and registration forms, call 904-824-8324, or visit Kingfish Challenge.
Susan Strock Art Exhibit
See a new exhibit of paintings by Suzanne Strock at the Gallery of the Dow Museum of Historic Houses in St. Augustine. A student of the masters, Suzanne’s work frequently captures natural light interacting with man made structures. Admission to the Gallery is free. The Gallery and Museum are open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sundays. Admission to the wonderful collection of vintage houses, including one once occupied by Napoleon Bonaparte’s nephew, is $8.95 for adults; $7.95 for seniors and $6.95 for students. Admission is free for children under 6. On the first Monday of each month, admission to the museum is free for St. Johns County residents. The Dow Museum of Historic Houses is located at 140 Cordova Street.
www.strockdesign.com and www.dowmuseum.com
Local Resident Specials
NOTE: St. Johns County residents with a valid ID are always admitted free of charge to the Lightner Museum, the Fountain of Youth (special events excluded), the Ximenez-Fatio House, the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse, Spanish Military Hospital Museum, and the Historic Tours of Flagler College. The daily tours and wine tastings at the San Sebastian Winery are free to everyone. Also, admission is free to everyone at the Authentic Old Drug Store, Fort Matanzas National Monument, Government House Museum, St. Photios Chapel, the Pena-Peck House, the Father Miguel O’Reilly Museum and the Mission Nombre de Dios Museum (donations are welcomed).
NEW: St. Johns County residents who purchase full-price admisssion to the St. Augustine Lighthouse ($9.50 adults; $7.50 seniors and children 12 and under; free for children under 44 inches in height) can now receive a pass good for free admission for an entire year! The Lighthouse is now open until 6 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.. Also, on the first Monday of each month, St. Johns County residents are admitted free to the Dow Museum of Historic Houses, 246 St. George Street, St. Augustine.
Source: Visitors and Convention Bureau