Last modified: Monday, November 26, 2012
Filmmaker Todd Solondz bringing his socially conscious satire to IU Cinema
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 26, 2012
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Filmmaker Todd Solondz, once described by The New York Times as the "assiduous chronicler of suburban ugliness, perversity and despair," is coming to IU's Bloomington campus.
He'll deliver a Jorgensen Guest Filmmaker Lecture at 3 p.m. Nov. 30 at IU Cinema, after which the cinema will screen four of his films. Known for his style of dark, thought-provoking, socially conscious satire, the New Jersey native sets many of his films in the Garden State. His work has been critically acclaimed with his debut, "Welcome to the Dollhouse," receiving Grand Jury Prize for best dramatic feature at the Sundance Film Festival, while "Happiness" received the International Federation of Film Critics prize at the Cannes Film Festival.
"Todd Solondz continues to be an original voice in American independent cinema. Whether we want to or not, his films persuade us to find empathy for characters that do not seem to deserve it," IU Cinema director Jon Vickers said. "For me, this is the jarring power of a Todd Solondz film."
Films being screened at IU Cinema as part of the "Todd Solondz: Humor and Human Condition" series are:
- 6:30 p.m. Nov. 30, "Dark Horse" -- In his 30s, Abe clings to the trappings of his adolescence but sees what he thinks is a chance at true love when he meets Miranda. Later screening at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 2.
- 9:30 p.m. Nov. 30, "Welcome to the Dollhouse" -- Shy unpopular Dawn is teased mercilessly at school but does find moments of grace amid the pain and humiliation of her first series of frustrated love affairs.
- 6:30 p.m. Dec. 1, "Happiness" -- Meet the Jordans, a multi-generational New Jersey family full of despair, frustration and inner demons.
- 9:30 p.m. Dec. 1, "Life During Wartime" -- Part sequel, part variation of "Happiness," this film explores the Jordan family 10 years later.
Solondz is expected to be present for screenings of "Dark Horse" and "Welcome to the Dollhouse."
His lecture is free. Tickets for all films in the series are $3 each and can be obtained at the IU Auditorium Box Office from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or one hour before any screening at the cinema. Tickets can be purchased by phone at 812-855-1103 for a $10 service fee per order.
Solondz's visit is made possible by the Ove W Jorgensen Foundation and a gift from Jim and Roberta Sherman.
