Film Talks
Film education for the movie-curious to the true cinema fanatics
Many of the films we screen at SIFF start a conversation, inspire an action, or pose a question. Our two-hour Film Talks span the world of cinema with expert instructors, covering everything from South Korean Cinema to the Safdie brothers' Uncut Gems and more. Want to dig even deeper into the films you love? Try one of our shot-by-shot Cinema Dissection events.
Film Talk - Music/Video: The Magic of Michel Gondry
September 18, 2024
Join local filmmaker Jeremy Cropf for an immersive exploration of Michel Gondry's inventive music videos. Discover how Gondry’s imaginative visuals for artists like Björk, Beck, and The White Stripes influenced an entire generation of filmmakers and paved the way for his own unique cinematic work.
Film Talk - Black Horror 101: Origins and Early Representations (1900s–1970s)
October 9, 2024
Explore the complex history of Black horror in cinema, a genre that has evolved from marginalized beginnings to mainstream prominence. This film talk will trace the development of Black representation in horror, examining its roots, cultural significance, and impact on society. Led by Isabella Price.
Film Talk - Black Horror 102: Contemporary Fear and Its Cultural Impact (1980s–Present)
October 16, 2024
Explore the complex history of Black horror in cinema, a genre that has evolved from marginalized beginnings to mainstream prominence. The second class will explore the resurgence and redefinition of Black horror in the 20th century. Led by Isabella Price.
Film Talk - Cinematic Demonology: The Devil in Film
October 23, 2024
Explore the variety of representations of the Devil in film, as well as the tropes and themes that accompany these portrayals, from the genesis of cinema to our modern apocalyptic blockbusters. Led by Dan Doody.
Satoshi Kon: Anime Auteur
November 5–26. In this four-week Film Talk and screening series, dive into the surreal worlds of Satoshi Kon, one of Japan's most innovative and influential animators. Led by Isabella Price.
Film Talk - Satoshi Kon: Perfect Blue
November 5, 2024
Deep dive into Satoshi Kon’s cult classic debut, Perfect Blue. Led by Isabella Price.
Film Talk - Satoshi Kon: Paprika
November 12, 2024
The second week of this series takes a closer look at Paprika, the film that Kon intended to be his second feature that became his fourth and final masterpiece before his untimely death in 2010. Led by Isabella Price.
Film Talk - Satoshi Kon: Millennium Actress
November 19, 2024
In week three, we investigate Kon’s love letter to Japanese filmmaking, Millennium Actress. Led by Isabella Price.
Film Talk - Satoshi Kon: Tokyo Godfathers
November 26, 2024
In our final week, we explore Kon’s third feature film, Tokyo Godfathers, which follows the exploits of a trio of unlikely friends facing homelessness (a teenage runaway, a former drag queen, and an alcoholic) as they spend Christmas Eve looking for the parents of an infant they discover in the trash. Led by Isabella Price.
Cinema Dissection
Over six hours, an expert facilitator will share the stage with audience observations as they work scene-by-scene through a great film.
Cinema Dissection: American Graffiti
September 14, 2024
Produced by Francis Ford Coppola, George Lucas’s nostalgic coming-of-age drama American Graffiti established him as a major filmmaker within the Hollywood system. Join facilitator and SIFF Programmer Dan Doody for a shot-by-shot examination of this blockbuster hit.
Cinema Dissection: The Blair Witch Project
October 19, 2024
Explore the impact of the 1999 cult classic, The Blair Witch Project, with local filmmaker Jeremy Cropf. Analyze its groundbreaking approach to found footage horror and its revolutionary role in film marketing.
Cinema Dissection: Halloween
October 26, 2024
Join facilitator and SIFF Programmer Dan Doody for a scene-by-scene—or should that be a slash-by-slash—breakdown of John Carpenter’s Halloween, which firmly established the slasher film as a popular and lucrative sub-genre of horror.
Cinema Dissection: Blood Simple
November 2, 2024
Join facilitator and SIFF Programmer Dan Doody on a scene-by-scene investigation of one of the most audacious indie film debuts of the ‘80s: Blood Simple, the hard-boiled, neon-lit, sleazy Texas neo-noir directed by Joel & Ethan Coen.
Cinema Dissection: Children of Men
November 23, 2024
Local filmmaker Jeremy Cropf guides students through an in-depth analysis of Alfonso Cuarón’s 2006 film Children of Men. Explore the film's innovative cinematography, its striking relevance to contemporary issues, and its significant impact on the film industry.
Cinema Dissection: Strange Days
December 7, 2024
Join local filmmaker Jeremy Cropf for an in-depth exploration of Kathryn Bigelow’s 1995 cult sci-fi action film, Strange Days. Delve into the film’s innovative filmmaking, prescient themes, initial box-office failure, and its recent reassessment as a significant work of ‘90s cinema.
Cinema Dissection: It’s a Wonderful Life
December 21, 2024
Join facilitator and SIFF Programmer Dan Doody for a scene-by-scene breakdown of George Bailey’s life in Bedford Falls as he searches for happiness, love, and, of course, Zuzu’s petals.