The Scripps College Humanities Institute presents lectures and film screenings with director and filmmaker, Albert Maysles. These events are part of the Institute’s fall 2005 program, “The New Documentary Impulse.” The celebrated filmmaker will present two lectures and host a discussion session after the screening of two of his films. All events are free and open to the public. For more information, please contact the Humanities Institute at (909) 621-8326.
First, Albert Maysles will present a lecture, “Christo and Jeanne-Claude,” on Wednesday, October 26 at 12 p.m. in the Hampton Room at Malott Commons, Scripps College. This is a lunchtime lecture and guests may bring a lunch or purchase one at the Malott Commons Dinning Hall. The second lecture will be held on Thursday, October 27 at 4:15 p.m. in Balch Auditorium, Scripps College. In addition the director will introduce and hold a discussion session after the screening of two of his films, Grey Gardens, Wednesday, October 26 at 7 p.m. in Balch Auditorium and Lalee’s Kin: The Legacy of Cotton, Thursday, October 27 at 7:30 p.m. in Garrison Theatre.
Albert Maysles has created portraits of celebrities such as John F. Kennedy and The Beatles. The 1970 film, “Gimme Shelter” provided a gripping peak into the events surrounding the notorious murder that took place at the Altamont Rolling Stones concert. By including footage of the filmmakers and the band members reacting to the incident, questions arose concerning the ethical and moral dilemmas of documentary filmmaking.
The director is often credited with inventing the documentary style known as “direct cinema” which employs the use of lightweight, portable cameras and sound equipment that aid in the preservation of reality.
Magnet Media quarterly Zoom In recently awarded Maysles with a lifetime achievement award for his 50 years of outstanding years of documentary filmmaking. He produced the 1974 film Christo’s Valley Curtain, which earn an Oscar nomination for best documentary.