VOICES: A CENTURY OF POLITICAL CINEMA
As the 2024 election season enters high gear, the Drexel Theatre begins a new film series leading up to the election that examines how films and filmmakers have tackled political topics through the years.
The film series, titled “Voices: A Century of Political Cinema,” will showcase a wide variety of films that brought the politics of their time to the screen. “Voices” is curated from a special edition of The New Republic magazine, titled “The 100 Most Significant Political Films of All Time.”
Each screening will be accompanied by commentary from a subject expert who will help guide the audience through the film’s historical and cinematic importance.
The series opens with The Manchurian Candidate (1962) on Tuesday, March 12, at 7 pm.
The guest speaker for the first film will be Michael Tomasky. Tomasky is the editor of The New Republic and the editor in chief of Democracy: A Journal of Ideas. He was previously executive editor of The American Prospect and the founding editor of Guardian America. He is the author of Left for Dead: The Life, Death, and Possible Resurrection of Progressive Politics in America and Hillary’s Turn: Inside Her Improbable, Victorious Senate Campaign. He lives outside of Washington, D.C.
The remainder of the schedule includes:
• Wednesday, April 10: A Face in the Crowd (1957) at 7 pm – a special Film Parlor collaboration
• Wednesday, May 8: Being There (1979) at 7 pm – a special Film Parlor collaboration
• Wednesday, June 12: Milk (2008) at 7 pm – a special Film Parlor collaboration
• Wednesday, July 10: The Great McGinty (1940) at 7 pm
• Wednesday, August 14: Harlan County, USA (1976) at 7 pm
*Films and guest speakers are subject to change.
Tickets are $10 for the film screening and discussion, a small popcorn, and a small drink.
PREVIOUS
THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE (1962)
Tuesday, March 12, 7 pm
An American POW in the Korean War is brainwashed as an unwitting assassin for an international Communist conspiracy.
Pre-screening discussion with Michael Tomasky, moderated by Fred Silverman (Silverman Media Group)
A FACE IN THE CROWD (1957)
Wednesday, April 10, 7 pm
A female radio reporter turns a folk-singing drifter into a powerful media star.
Post-screening discussion with OSU Department of Political Science Professor Emeritus Dr. Herb Asher, moderated by Mike Thompson (host of WOSU’s “Columbus on the Record”)
BEING THERE (1979)
Wednesday, May 8, 7 pm
After the death of his employer forces him out of the only home he’s ever known, a simpleminded, sheltered gardener becomes an unlikely trusted advisor to a powerful tycoon and an insider in Washington politics.
Post-screening discussion with Bexley Mayor Ben Kessler and advertising agency leader David Milenthal.
MILK (2008)
Wednesday, June 12, 7 pm
The story of Harvey Milk, and his struggles as an American gay activist who fought for gay rights and became California’s first openly gay elected official.
Post-screening discussion with LGBTQ+ advocate and Alternative Auto Care Owner/President Chris Cozad and Stonewall Columbus Executive Director Densil Porteous.
THE GREAT MCGINTY (1940)
Wednesday, July 10, 7 pm
Dan McGinty has great success in his chosen field of crooked politics, but he endangers it all in one crazy moment of honesty.
Post-screening discussion with retired journalist Ann Fisher and government affairs consultant Doug Priesse.
HARLAN COUNTY, USA (1976)
Wednesday, August 14, 7 pm
A heartbreaking record of the thirteen-month struggle between a community fighting to survive and a corporation dedicated to the bottom line.
Post-screening discussion with Ohio University professor Lynn M. Harter, Ph.D., and corporate attorney John Jackson, moderated by global energy developer David Wilhelm.
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