THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT!!!
Sky Room Talk with Film Historian Irene P. Eckert & Filmmaker Greg Blank
The Cultural and Cinematic Legacy of The Godfather
Tuesday, August 13 at 7:30 pm
$11 Members | $16 Public
The Sky Room Cafe will be closing at 5 PM the evening of this event.
The
Godfather films continue to fascinate and entertain audiences. They have
become some of the most enduring in the industry and have played a major role
in influencing audiences perceptions and misperceptions of criminal activities
and family life. In this program, film historian Irene Eckart and filmmaker
Greg Blank will analyze clips from the films for their cultural and cinematic
qualities, and show clips from the documentary The Godfather Legacy for
insights into the development, production, and legacy of the films.
The
program, through discussion and scene-breakdowns, will touch on the themes
of family, family values, the criminal empire of the Corleone family as a
metaphor for American capitalism and values, and the immigrant experience.
It will also explore the folklore, legend, and background stories
on the actual making of the film…Mario Puzo’s input, rallies by various
Italian groups agains the making of the film, difficulties with the studio
and for office, perception of the film content, and the casting of
experienced actors versus Coppola’s choices of relative unknowns. We
will also explore the film’s legacy of phrases that endure in
the contemporary popular lexicon (“I’m gonna make him and offer he can’t
refuse”; “keep your friends close, but your enemies closer”, etc.)
Film
Historian Irene P.
Eckert has been presenting films throughout Long Island for 12
years. She previously taught social studies and psychology at Northport High
School for 35 years. An Italian immigrant herself, she not only examines
Italian cinema but its cultural and historical significances.
Filmmaker
Greg Blank has over 15 years
experience as a film producer, director, and cinematographer and editor.
He has won awards as a video journalist for the show “Push Pause
Long Island” on Verizon Fios1, and as a documentarian for his
film “Undocumented”.
