Fall 2009 semester: Thursdays 7-9.30pm**

In celebration of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the Civic Engagement Coalition presents a FREE series of film screenings; each film depicts aspects of free speech and/or freedom of the press.

All films will be shown in the Campus Center (specific rooms are listed below), and are open to all members of the campus community.

October 1

(room 118) RKO 281 (1999) This HBO film tells the true story of the battle over the making of Citizen Kane (see below).Liev Schreiber plays the young and ambitious Orson Welles who sets out to make a film that is a warts-and-all portrayal of the media mogul William Randolph Hearst (played by James Cromwell). Hearst sets out to destroy Welles and resorts to blackmail to try and prevent the release of the film. Also stars Melanie Griffith and John Malkovich.

October 8

(room 201) Citizen Kane (1941) If you came to see RKO 281, you know what this film is about! If you didn’t, you probably know anyway! Quite simply, the most famous film ever made. Starring Orson Welles.

October 15

(room 118) Call Northside 777 (1948) A Jimmy Stewart classic, this film noir is based on the true story of what happens when, in 1943, Chicago Times reporter P.J. O’Neal investigates the events surrounding the conviction and imprisonment of Frank Wiecek for a 1932 cop killing. Co-starring Lee J. Cobb (aka Juror #3 in 12 Angry Men).

October 22

(room 201) Good Night, and Good Luck(2005) Written and directed by George Clooney (who also stars in the film), this movie received 6 Oscar nominations. It is the compelling true story of how Edward R. Murrow, the trailblazing broadcast journalist, sought to expose the fear-mongering nature of Senator Joe McCarthy’s 1950s crusade against communism. The film shows the important role the 1st Amendment plays in protecting those who criticize the government. An all-star cast including David Strathairn, Robert Downey Jr., Patricia Clarkson, Jeff Daniels, and Frank Langella.

October 29

(room 118) All the President’s Men (1976) One corrupt President and his ‘men’ versus two crusading Washington Post journalists – Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. Made only two years after the culmination (the resignation of Richard Nixon) of the real life events it portrays (the Watergate scandal), this winner of 4 Oscars demonstrates investigative journalism at its best. Stars Robert Redford, Dustin Hoffman, and Ben Bradlee.

November 5

(room 201) The China Syndrome (1979) A nuclear power plant is not a very safe place when its controllers cover up accidents and bad work practices. This film follows a television reporter who stumbles upon, and then tries to expose, this situation. As if confronting the secretive and conspiratorial operators of the plant wasn’t enough, the reporter faces the challenge of making her bosses concerned about more than the length of her hair. The two main stars, Jane Fonda and Jack Lemmon, were both nominated for Oscars for their performances in this film.

November 12

(room 118) Network (1976) “I’m Mad as Hell, and I won’t Take It Anymore” Warning – this film might make you forever cynical about television news! Come and see what happens when an aging television newscaster, who is thrown on the career scrapheap by his network, decides to revive his ratings by announcing that next week’s show will feature him committing suicide. The film won 4 Oscars – including best actor (Peter Finch) and best actress (Faye Dunaway).

November 19

(room 201) The People Versus Larry Flynt(1996) Does the First Amendment give you the right to be offensive, and to publish pornographic magazines? Larry Flynt, the publisher of Hustler magazine, certainly thinks so. This film tells the story of the legal battles generated by Flynt’s decision to run a cartoon parody of a Bacardi advertisement. The socially conservative Reverend Jerry Falwell, the target of the parody, sued him. The case went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. Watch the film to see whether Flynt and the First Amendment prevail! A recipient of 2 Oscar nominations, the film stars Woody Harrelson, Courtney Love, and Edward Norton.

December 3

(room 118) Shattered Glass (2003) By all appearances, young Stephen Glass was enjoying a fantastically successful career as a Washington, D.C.-based journalist in the 1990s. He quickly rose to fame as one of the best writers at the New Republic. This film tells the true story of his downfall as it became clear that most of his sensational stories were completely untrue. An important lesson in journalistic ethics. Starring Hayden Christensen and Peter Sarsgaard (who received a Golden Globe nomination for his performance).

December 10

(room 201) Deliberate Intent (2000) This semester’s film series ends with a made-for-television movie that tells the true story of Rice v. Paladin Enterprises, a 1997 court case featuring an important battle over First Amendment rights. Paladin Enterprises published a how-to guide for individuals who wanted to be hit men! Everything you ever wanted to know about how to become a contract killer. When an individual was hired to commit the brutal murder of three people, he followed the book’s instructions. The family of the victims subsequently sued the publishing house. Who won this lawsuit? Watch the film to find out!

For more details, contact Prof. Helen Knowles, Political Science Department; 312-3453; helen.knowles@oswego.edu