Cerebral Cinema - Othello (1952)

Die hard cinephiles, academic film enthusiasts, and casual movie goers looking to expand their movie going experience welcome. Cerebral Cinema is a group geared towards getting together to watch a variety of a eclectic cinema ranging from highbrow indie fare to genre blockbusters. Following each theatrical outing, our group will congregate to discuss the film over food or drinks. Discussion topics will center around the film's plot and themes, the past filmography of the cast and crew, and the film at hand's cultural relevance.

“A BROODING EXPRESSIONIST DREAM! May be the greatest Shakespeare film!” – Jonathan Rosenbaum

“ONE PART SHAKESPEARE AND THREE PARTS WELLES!”
– Village Voice

“A very great Film Noir! Naturally, Welles turned the limitations into strengths. When the costumes didn’t show up, he filmed in a Turkish bath. When an actor couldn’t make it, he used a stand-in and changed his camera angle. When challenged to match footage shot in Mogador and Venice, he contrived dazzling webs of montage. This is Shakespeare filmed with love and powerhouse enthusiasm, never with reverence.”
– Tony Rayns, Time Out (London)

“Cinematically, Welles’ production of Othello cannot be improved. Each scene is a triumph of design. Although we are sometimes conscious of effect for effect’s sake, the knowledge in no way diminishes the effectiveness... The film’s tempo carries you along like a tidal wave. The actors are in constant competition with the camera, and the camera is always winning. No emotional conflict (save the major one) is ever quite as impressive as San Marco Square at dusk or a shot of the Venetian waters.”
– Charles Markowitz, The Village Voice (original 1956 review)

“Imbued with Welles’ trademark inventiveness and dramatic force; Welles plays Othelllo in Moorish makeup and his longtime friend and mentor Micheál Mac Liammóir is a serpentine and obviously gay Iago. Suzanne Cloutier is the faithful Desdemona — her reputation is poisoned and life blighted by the venomous Iago, guiding his hated master slowly but surely down the path to madness and murder. ‘Othello’ has been filmed numerous times, but never with such extraordinary visual grace and power.” – Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune

Join us as we meet up around 7 PM to purchase tickets and get acquainted prior to a 7:30 screening of the Orson Wells Shakespearian classic, Othello. We shall congregate after the feature for drinks and discussion at Houston Hall across the street. Be there or be quadrilateral.

Tickets may be purchased online (here - http://boxoffice.printtixusa.com/filmforum/advance?v=2454&i=4277&dd=1 ) or at the box office.