A Gay Love Story in Prison: Un Chant d'Amour (Short Film Discussion)

The only film that author Jean Genet ever made was the revolutionary Un chant d’amour (1950), where homosexual lovers are split apart, treated as criminals, and imprisoned in cells right next to one another. Desires cannot be targeted by prejudice, but the system here is willing to turn love into punishment. This film is beyond moving, particularly because of its moments that are guaranteed to shock you. Despite being a novelist, Genet doesn’t use dialogue in Un chant d’amour; he knew that this was meant to be seen and understood by all walks of life. It was his way of getting audiences to acknowledge the gay community: all that is wanted is a chance to love, and so many acts of hatred will get in the way to destroy peace and joy (and even lives). (Babiolakis)

Rotten Tomatoes: 100%

A revolutionary vision of emancipation through sensuality, Un chant d'amour is a song of love both universal and eternal (Slant)

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Please watch the short film in advance here (25 minutes): https://archive.org/details/JeanGenetUnChantDamour

The film, released in 1950, is considered one of the greatest short films ever made and has been cited as an influence by many gay filmmakers, including Derek Jarman, Andy Warhol, and Paul Morrissey. The movie is considered one of the earliest attempts at portraying homosexual passion on screen.

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We all seek meaning in our lives and dread futility. Philosophy doesn't provide facile answers, but the philosophical quest to make sense of our fleeting lives is one that we all share.

This group will explore possible answers by looking at a mixture of approaches. Not only philosophical writing, but also literature, history, poetry and films.

The organizer is not an expert in any of these writers but has a long experience in organizing similar meetings. He also has an Oxford PhD in European History as well as a Cambridge MPhil on the same discipline. He currently teaches foreign languages.

Other film discussions:

November 26; Mullholand Drive
The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie
That Obscure Object of Desire