Columbia University                         New York, N.Y. 10027
   Office of Public Information                      (212) 854-5573

All screenings at Miller Theatre (W. 116th St. & Broadway)
for ticket and box office information: 854-7799

Fifty Years of Documentary

presented by

The Documentary Center at Columbia University

and the

Miller Theatre

in cooperation with

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Thursday, October 12, at 7:00pm

Program One: The 1940s--The War Years

The True Glory (1945)--85 minutes

Academy Awardreg.--Best Documentary Feature

Directed by Garson Kanin and Carol Reed

A classic by two renowned filmmakers, The True Glory recounts in brilliant detail the story of the Normandy Landing and the events leading to the collapse of Hitler's Germany. It is a stirring tribute to the courage and perseverance of all our fighting men, and the dominating spirit of teamwork. This rarely screened masterpiece uses the talent of hundreds of cameramen who filmed the immense drama from the air, sea and land and has a terse and compelling narration recorded by soldiers from all levels of society.

Seeds of Destiny (1946)--21 minutes

Academy Awardreg.--Best Documentary Short Subject

Directed by David Miller

Seeds of Destiny documents the plight of people who lived in countries near Germany and who were nearly annihilated by the Germans through systematic starvation. An important film about the legacy of World War II.

Opening Reception On October 12

Immediately follows post-screening discussion

Wednesday, October 18, at 7:30pm

Program Two: The 1950s--The Post-War Years

The Vanishing Prairie (1954)--70 minutes

Academy Awardreg.--Best Documentary Feature

Directed by James Algar

A timeless Disney favorite and a pioneering nature documentary, The Vanishing Prairie is a remarkable pictorial examination of wildlife in the wide open spaces of the Great Plains region of the United States. A study of the everyday behavior and fight for survival among prairie dogs, bison, cranes, coyotes, mountain lions and birds.

Neighbors (1952)--8 minutes

Academy Awardreg.--Best Documentary Short Subject

Directed by Norman McLaren

Neighbors, a story of two people who come to blows over the possession of a flower, is a parable of greed and destruction.

Universe (1960)--26 minutes

Academy Awardreg. nomination--Documentary Short Subject

Directed by Roman Kroitor and Colin Low

Filmed at the dawn of the space age, Universe is a vast, awe-inspiring picture of the universe as it would appear to a voyager through space.

Wednesday, October 25, at 7:30pm

Program Three: The 1960s--Civil Rights and Counter Culture

A Time For Burning (1967)--61 minutes

Academy Awardreg. nomination--Documentary Feature

Directed by William Jersey

A Time For Burning was one of the first documentaries to deal effectively with racism. Considered very controversial in its time because of the subject matter, the film was also controversial in film circles because of the intervention of the filmmaker in the community. The film was an important factor in changing attitudes toward segregation in religious and social circles.

Why Man Creates (1968)--25 minutes

Academy Awardreg.--Best Documentary Short Subject

Directed by Saul Bass

Why Man Creates is a series of explorations on creativity by a master of conceptual design. Filled with humor and satire, trenchant ideas and important truths, this famous film poses serious questions about the creative process.

Wednesday, November 29, at 7:30pm

Program Four: The 1970s--Vietnam

Hearts And Minds (1974)--112 minutes

Academy Awardreg.--Best Documentary Feature

Directed by Peter Davis

Hearts and Minds is a provocative examination of United States involvement in Vietnam that chronicles the war from a psychological perspective. It portrays the U.S. role as a manifestation of misguided patriotism and ignorance buttressed by racism, self-righteousness and anti-Communist hysteria. A timeless document of the anti-war mood of the period.

Wednesday, December 6, at 7:30pm

Program Five: The 1980s--The Nuclear Threat

The Day After Trinity (1980)--88 minutes

Academy Awardreg. nomination--Documentary Feature

Directed by Jon Else

The Day After Trinity traces the life of renowned nuclear physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer and details his work as scientific director of Los Alamos and the building of the world's first atomic bomb. The film includes Oppenheimer's subsequent efforts to limit the dissemination of bomb technology, his dismissal in 1954, and his death in 1967.

Close Harmony (1981)--28 minutes

Academy Awardreg.--Best Documentary Short Subject

Directed by Nigel Noble

A class of fourth- and fifth-graders are brought together with a group of senior citizens in a unique intergenerational chorus that provides an opportunity to examine children's misconceptions of aging. The film concludes with an exhilarating and heartwarming choral performance.

Tuesday, December 12, at 7:30pm

Program Six: The 1990s--The Present and History Revisited

The Restless Conscience (1991)--113 minutes

Academy Awardreg. nomination--Documentary Feature

Directed by Hava Kohav Beller

The Restless Conscience presents an overview of the resistance movement in Germany from 1933 to 1945 that culminated in the 1944 plot to assassinate Hitler. The efforts of various opponents of Hitler are depicted through interviews with former conspirators, as well as with relatives of those who were executed for their opposition to the Nazi regime. A timely reminder of man's need to make moral choices.

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