“Even a large television isn’t sufficient,” remarked Todd Decker. “Learners ought to appreciate these films in the manner they were meant to be appreciated.”
Decker, the Paul Tietjens Professor of Music and a faculty member of film and media studies within Arts & Sciences, was elaborating on his autumn class “Art House Movie Music,” which examines international films showcased in U.S. independent theaters between 1945 and 2000. The curriculum features landmark works by numerous highly regarded directors of the era, including Ingmar Bergman, Federico Fellini, Peter Greenaway, and Akira Kurosawa.
However, film encompasses more than merely light and audio, Decker explained. It represents a collective art form, best experienced among an audience.
This autumn, Decker has partnered with Cinema St. Louis to present 11 classic films at the Hi-Pointe Theatre, 1005 McCausland Ave. While it is an integral aspect of his class, all screenings are accessible to the wider community.
“Watching a film as part of a gathering alters your experience,” Decker stated. “It encourages a distinct type of engagement, which we are analyzing in class. You’re freer to react, either verbally or physically, than you are when viewing on a smartphone or laptop.
“We aim to demonstrate that this mode of experiencing cinema is still woven into the community,” Decker continued. “It remains a fragment of cultural existence.”
Before each screening, Decker will introduce the film and delve into its local reception. For instance, “Bicycle Thieves,” which kicked off the series on Aug. 25, premiered in St. Louis in 1950 and screened for six weeks at The Art Theatre, a venue with 115 seats located on Olive Boulevard near Saint Louis University, before relocating to The Shady Oak in Clayton.
“What I’m discovering about St. Louis cinema history is that there have always been art houses,” Decker noted. “However, they have tended to emerge for a period and then vanish. One of our aspirations with this series is merely to introduce WashU students to the Hi-Pointe. We want them to recognize this wonderful resource just down the street.”
Screenings will progress on Sept. 8 with Bergman’s “The Seventh Seal” (1957), followed by Louis Malle’s “Elevator to the Gallows” (1958) on Sept. 15, and Fellini’s “La Dolce Vita” (1960) on Sept. 22. Future screenings will feature Jacques Demy’s “The Umbrellas of Cherbourg” (1964), David Lean’s “Brief Encounter” (1964), and the 40th anniversary restoration of Kurosawa’s “Ran” (1985).
For tickets and a comprehensive schedule of films and showtimes, please visit hipointetheatre.com.
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