Dr Ian-Malcolm Rijsdijk lectures in the Centre for Film and Media Studies at the University of Cape Town. His PhD looked at history and myth in the films of Terrence Malick and he has published several articles and book chapters on Malick. His post-doctoral work includes eco-criticism and film and South African film. He has also written for the stage and television.
American film director, screenwriter, and producer, Terrence Frederick Malick has a career spanning almost four decades, in which he has directed six feature films, and received consistent regard for his work, with his films often considered masterpieces.
The Thin Red Line is both a continuation of, and more fully realised meditation on, themes that have been a common thread throughout Malick’s work. In 1998, The Thin Red Line was somewhat overshadowed by the bluster and patriotic nostalgia of Steven Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan. Where Captain Miller’s mission to save Private Ryan was narratively clear and ideologically uncomplicated, Malick’s Charlie Company were spiritually dislocated, scared and uncertain amongst the jungles, rivers and steep mysterious hillsides on the island of Guadalcanal.
Malick was nominated for an Academy Award for both Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Director, and won the Golden Bear at the 49th Berlin International Film Festival for The Thin Red Line. More than a decade on, this extraordinary film has come into its own (not without controversy) as a singular cinematic vision of war. This lecture will consider some of the historical and specifically cinematic elements that shaped it.
This event will take place at Hiddingh Hall, University of Cape Town (UCT) Hiddingh Campus, Orange Street, Cape Town on Thursday 15 September at 17:30 and is free. Refreshments will be served from 17:00. No Booking is necessary. For more information on the series, please contact 021 480 7156 or fin-gipca@uct.ac.za
Ian-Malcolm Rijskijk audio recording available for download.
Start: 15 Sep ’11 5:30 pm
End: 15 Sep ’11 6:30 pm
Cost: Free
Category: Great Texts / Big Questions
Organizer: GIPCA
Email: fin-gipca@uct.ac.za
Venue: Hiddingh Hall
Phone: +27 21 480 7156
Address: Google Map UCT Hiddingh Campus, 31-37 Orange Street, Cape Town, 8001, Cape Town, Western Cape, 8001, South Africa