Anthropology film series brings an original selection of showings
The Anthropology Film Series begins this semester with a film about the adventures of three young men as they leave their native Nigerian Savannah to seek adventure and work in the cities of Ghana.
Jean Rouch, a pioneer of “shared anthropology,” tells the story of these young men in his classic film “Le Jaguar.” The film will launch USU’s 2005 Anthropology and Film Series.
The Utah State University Museum of Anthropology and Cache Micro Cinema will be presenting the film at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, in Old Main room 115.
The “Le Jaguar” will be introduced by Jay Ruby a professor of anthropology at Temple University in Philadelphia. For 30 years, the study of cultures and visual media has been the source of Ruby’s research and explorations.
Ruby will briefly discuss the influence film and photography can have in helping humanity understand the complex cultures of the world.
Ruby will also discuss “shared anthropology” and the work of the 20th century anthropologist and filmmaker Jean Rouch.
Each year, for its Art Series, the Anthropology Department chooses an art medium which anthropologists or artists have used to record culture. This year the focus will be the medium of film.
The goal of the Art Series is two-fold:
No. 1: To educate the public about what anthropology is. No. 2: To show the connection between anthropology and art.
The entire program is sponsored by the Maria Eccles Caine Foundation and is based on receiving a new grant each year.
A reception will be held in the Museum of Anthropology, Old Main 252, following the film presentation.
The remainder of the Spring 2005 Anthropology Art Series will include:
* “On Cannibalism” by Fatimah Tobying Rony on Feb. 3.
* “First Contact” by Boby Connolly and Robin Anderson on March 17.
* “To Sleep With Anger” by Charles Burnett on April 7.
-shauna.lee.leavitt@usu.edu