May 15, 1997
Written by Wallace Shawn (My Dinner with André), Directed by David Hare
Starring: Mike Nichols, Miranda Richardson, and David de Keyser
At once a "brutal and devastating critique of the liberal elite" and "an eloquent, desperate defense of art and poetry." The Designated Mourner is, according to the New York Times, an "exquisitely written dramatic lament for the decline of high culture." This film exhibits a daring approach to the cinema which is beautifully written and suberbly realized by this all star cast which includes Mike Nichols in his motion picture debut.
This screening will be followed by a panel discussion moderated by Patt Morrison (KCET's "Life and Times" and columnist for the LA Times). The panel will focus on issues raised by the film including, the disintegration of high culture, the relationships between high, low and popular culture, and the relation between culture and moral/political action.
Vincent Pecora: Professor of English, Director of the Center for Modern and Contemporary Studies, Author of "Self and Form In Modern Narrative"
Michael Tobias: Author of 25 books, Independent filmmaker, producer of 100 documentaries and docudramas, former professor of environmental affairs (Dartmouth), Ph.D. UC Santa Cruz History of Consciousness