Volume 30, No. 18
January 22, 1999
Contact: Scott A. Miller 570-662-4844
NEWS
Series offers recent films and a former MU student
The Spring University Film Series allows audience members a peek into the worlds of professional boxers, guerillas, and Native Americans -- including a performance by former MU student Irene Bedard -- all through critically acclaimed films made within the last two years.
The series opens Thursday, Jan. 28, with the 1997 film "Fast, Cheap & Out of Control." This innovative work by filmmaker Errol Morris, also known for "The Thin Blue Line" and "A Brief History in Time," tells the story of four unusual people: a lion tamer; a robot scientist; a gardener who shapes shrubbery into animals; and a photographer and his rodent subjects. Their idiosyncracies are matched only by Morris's frenetically funny documentary style, which combines a variety of film stock with excerpts from cartoons and horror films.
On Thursday, Feb. 4, Leon Cast's 1997 documentary "When We Were Kings" takes the audience behind the scenes of the 1974 "Rumble in the Jungle" heavyweight championship fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, both now living legends. The film captures Ali at his self-proclaimed greatest -- witty, intelligent, rebellious, and provocative. It also provides textbook examples of, in Ali's case, how to gain popularity and, in Foreman's case, how to lose it.
On Thursday, Feb. 18, the series offers noted director Jonathan Demme's film adaptation of Toni Morrison's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel "Beloved" to the screen. "Beloved" tells the powerful, moving story of the fugitive slave Sethe, a woman haunted by the terrible choice she made in order to protect her children from slavery. It stars Oprah Winfrey and Danny Glover.
The series offers a second book adaptation on Thursday, March 18, with the 1998 film "Mrs. Dalloway." A dazzling adaptation of Virginia Woolf's 1925 novel, this richly sensuous film focuses on a single day in June as the high-society hostess Mrs. Dalloway (Vanessa Redgrave) ventures out to buy flowers for her party later that evening. Within this simple narrative the film explores -- through striking imagery -- the complex, finely textured nature of human subjectivity. Directed by Academy-Award winner Marleen Gorris ("Antonia's Line"). This film is co-sponsored by the Women's Studies Program.
Latin American culture takes the screen on Thursday, April 1, in "Men With Guns." Independent filmmaker John Sayles' most recent film tells the story of Dr. Fuentes, a physician who journeys into the Latin American countryside in search of his former medical students. What he finds is a reality completely alien to his comfortable, urban life -- a world of exploitation and violence ruled by soldiers and guerrillas, but also a world of hope and endurance. In Spanish, English, Nahautl, Tzotzil, Maya, and Kuna with English subtitles.
"Smoke Signals," the final film series picture, Thursday, April 8, follows two young men, Victor Joseph and Thomas Builds-the-Fire, as they travel to Phoenix to pick up the ashes of Victor's father. Written by Sherman Alexie (author of The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven), and directed by Chris Eyre, this is the first commercial feature film to be written, directed, acted and produced by Native Americans. The film also stars former Mansfield University student Irene Bedard, whose numerous credits include the speaking voice of "Pocahontas" in the Disney animated feature of the same name as well as once being named one of People Magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People."
All showings are at 7 p.m. in Allen Lecture Hall. The Film Series is sponsored by the Provost's Office and MAC.
System Board of Governors acts on facilities projects
The State System of Higher Education's Board of Governors moved two facilities projects forward at its meeting Thursday, Jan. 14, in Harrisburg. Both will have a positive impact on Mansfield University. The Board of Governors approved construction and tax-exempt financing for the addition and renovation of student union projects at both Mansfield and California. This entails the complete renovation of portions of our former library, Alumni Hall, to convert it to a student union. Work will begin this spring with completion expected by December. Also, following an engineering study begun in April 1998, the Board unanimously approved the funding of official residence projects at both Mansfield and Cheyney, with additional feasibility studies being conducted at the official residences of five other campuses to determine their compliance with System criteria. Renovations to MU's official residence will create and ensure handicapped accessibility/ADA compliance, a garage, updated kitchen/catering facilities for official university functions, and improved heating and cooling systems. The work is expected to be done this summer. The entire cost of this project will come out of State System reserves and will have no negative impact on campus funds for these requirements.
Sunday, Jan. 30, 7 p.m., Steadman. The Department of Music will present its annual Faculty Gala Concert highlighting all music department faculty in solo and ensemble performances. Proceeds from the concert benefit the music scholarship fund. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students. For more information call 4710.
Have an Updater announcement? Send it to Scott A. Miller
The men's basketball team couldn't score a field goal over a six minute span in the second half falling to Bloomsburg University 62-58. Mansfield was leading Bloomsburg by eight with just over 15 minutes remaining, but couldn't hold off an offensive surge from the Huskies. Senior Steve Shannon recorded his 13th double-double performance of the season with his 12 points and 14 rebounds. The 14 rebounds enabled Shannon to move into second place on the all-time rebounding charts in Mansfield history with 721 career boards. The Mountaineers host Millersville Saturday at 3 p.m.
The swimming team lost a 101-103 heartbreaker to Juniata Monday. The Mounties led through the first eight events, taking first place finishes in every one. Juniata gained on Mansfield in the 200 Breast when they took first and a photo-finish second place, leaving Mansfield with only a third and fifth place finish. The meet wasn't decided until the final event, when Juniata again took first and second. For MU, Jaime Ragukonis, Candace Cipolla, Sarah Davis and Teresa Ulett once again got a first place finish in the 400 Medley Relay with a time of 4:24.00. All four swimmers also placed first in two individual events.
This page is maintained by Scott A. Miller.