Bryn Mawr Film Institute: June at a Glance

In June, two new film courses are starting this week--one about Arthur Penn and another about Jane Fonda. There will be several film screenings this month in conjunction with those courses (but open to the public), and more screenings highlighting the career of the late Elizabeth Taylor. Fran Lebowitz will be hosting a Q-and-A following the screening of the Martin Scorsese documentary Public Speaking, and those dressed in costume will be rewarded with free popcorn at the Guys and Dolls sing-along.

Public Relations Coordinator Devin Wachs tells us what else to expect at the this month:

Arthur Penn: Chronicling the Outsiders (6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 7; 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 14; 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 21; 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 28)

This four-week course taught by Maurizio Giammarco explores Arthur Penn, filmmaker of Little Big Man, Bonnie and Clyde, The Miracle Worker and other important films from the 1960s and 1970s. Penn also directed a production of The Miracle Worker on Broadway, which he adapted into the film.

Beyond Barbarella: Jane Fonda and Womanhood (6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 8; 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 15; 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 22; 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 29)

This four-week film course, taught by Alice Bullitt, will discuss a number of different facets of Jane Fonda, like how her personal relationships have impacted her film career and how she’s contributed to the still evolving dialogue about feminism and women’s issues.

Public Speaking (7 p.m. Wednesday, June 8)

While the Martin Scorsese-directed documentary Public Speaking about Fran Lebowitz has gotten some positive reviews itself, the real draw is that Lebowitz will be in town to conduct a Q-and-A session following the screening. Wachs said the hugely anticipated event would likely be sold out.

Macbeth (2:30 p.m. Monday, June 13)

In BMFI’s one opera this month, Verdi’s opera based on Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth will be live simulcast from the Royal Opera House in London. The opera, directed by Phyllida Lloyd, will be presented in HD.

The Chase (7 p.m. Tuesday, June 14)

This 1966 Arthur Penn film is being shown in conjunction with the "Arthur Penn: Chronicling the Outsiders" course. This movie stars Marlon Brando and is open to anyone—not just those taking the course.

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (7 p.m. Wednesday, June 15)

In the first of two films in a short Elizabeth Taylor film series, Taylor won her first Oscar. The series commemorates Elizabeth Taylor, who died in March, as one of the last sort of screen sirens. This film, and the very different film Butterfield, for which Taylor won her second Oscar, are a good way to see her range of performance.

Company (1 p.m. Sunday, June 19)

The star-studded cast of the Stephen Sondheim production that was a 1970 hit on Broadway includes Neil Patrick Harris, Stephen Colbert, Patti LuPone, Jon Cryer, Christina Hendricks, Martha Plimpton and Craig Bierko. The story is about a bachelor (Neil Patrick Harris) celebrating his 35^th birthday and the non-chronological events surrounding it and involving five of his married couple friends. While this production was performed only a couple of times, this screening is one of the few ways people can see it.

Coming Home (7 p.m. Wednesday, June 22)

The Academy Award-winning Coming Home, starring Jane Fonda and Jon Voigt and directed by Hal Ashby, is being screened on 35mm film in conjunction with the "Beyond Barbarella: Jane Fonda and Womanhood" course. The movie was released in 1978 and was notable for its challenging of the Vietnam War.

Elizabeth Taylor: Close Up with Carrie Rickey (7 p.m. Thursday, June 23)

This talk, hosted by Philadelphia Inquirer film critic Carrie Rickey, will use clips from a number of Elizabeth Taylor’s films to talk about her career and her as a person. The fundraising event will also include a gourmet sit-down dinner.

Swan Lake (11 a.m. Sunday, June 26)

This Tchaikovsky ballet, Swan Lake, is performed by the Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow, and is about the struggle between the White Swan and Black Swan. This ballet is the one that formed the story in last year’s film Black Swan.

Butterfield (7 p.m. Tuesday, June 28)

The second film in the two-film series commemorating Elizabeth Taylor highlights the role for which she won her second Oscar.

City Lights (7 p.m. Tuesday, June 28)

“The Great Charlie Chaplin” silent film screening series kicks off with City Lights, a comedy about a tramp who falls in love with a blind woman and tries to help her regain her sight. This particular screening is free, in the memory of John C. Haas. 

Guys and Dolls Sing-along (7 p.m. Wednesday, June 29)

Sing along with Frank Sinatra and Marlon Brando in this classic musical. Dress up in costume—ideas include gambler, missionary or Hot Box Girl—to get free popcorn. 

For more information or tickets, visit brynmawrfilm.org.