Dark Comedy Classics: TO BE OR NOT TO BE

To NSSC, Northfield Location: 

Reid Schultz, Filmmaker, Columbia College faculty

Join writer, filmmaker, and academic Reid Schultz as he analyzes some of the funniest and most controversial film comedies of the past 70 years. Dark comedy films present, in a humorous manner, topics and events that are usually regarded as taboo and treated seriously. Viewer laugh at the pain and wickedness of life, yet may feel a little ashamed for laughing. Each month a different dark comedy film will be screened, and the analysis and discussions will explore the notion of humor and why something is funny. Films contain provocative material intended for audiences who are not too sensitive to adult themes and content.

To Be or Not To Be

Directed by Ernst Lubitsch, 1942, 100 min.

When To Be or Not To Be was released in March 1942, America and much of the world were in the midst of a brutal world war, and many people did not take kindly to a satirical treatment of the German occupation of Poland that depicted Nazis as comical characters. Yet Ernst Lubitsch took a risk and created one of the most enduringly funny and provocative comedies of all time. The film became engulfed in controversy and audience disdain. However, the critics embraced the film as something special: a satire on war set during the war, risky but with deep social commentary and important wisdom about the absurdity of war. Today the film stands as one of the greatest and funniest antiwar films of all time.

Pre-registration is recommended.  To register, call 847-784-6030 or stop by NSSC today.  Web site:  www.nssc.org

Wednesday, 5/14, 12:30pm - 3:30pm

$12 member; $15 non-member           NF7612A