In 1985, Randall Dale Adams was convicted of murdering a Texas police officer. But the trial was rife with inconsistencies, and the verdict far from definitive. Filmmaker Errol Morris’ documentary about these events, THE THIN BLUE LINE, would become one of the most influential documentaries of all time: upending cinematic conventions, ushering in a new era of documentary filmmaking, and changing the lives of its subjects forever.
In this MMU Online seminar, Matt McCormick will consider how THE THIN BLUE LINE fits into the history of documentary films; assess Morris’ controversial use of reenactments; and consider what the film has to say about the nature of truth.
Your ticket provides you access to a pre-recorded lecture and a spot in our virtual discussion on Thursday, February 11 at 7:30pm. Please note that you will need to find and watch the film on your own.
About the instructor:
Matt McCormick is a filmmaker and educator who lived in Portland for many years before moving to Spokane, where he is a professor at Gonzaga University. His films include The Subconscious Art of Graffiti Removal, Some Days are Better than Others, and Buzz One Four. Matt has also directed music videos for bands including The Shins, Sleater-Kinney, and Broken Bells.
What is MMU Online?
MMU Online is a virtual education program from the Hollywood Theatre and Movie Madness, featuring lectures and discussions hosted by film experts.
How does it work?
Purchase a ticket. With your purchase, you will receive access to a pre-recorded lecture to watch on your own.
Find and watch the film. Please note that MMU is not offering direct access to any films. All MMU featured films are available to rent on major VOD services for under $5.
Submit questions in advance. Email us any questions you’d like the instructor to answer! You’ll also have the opportunity to ask questions during the seminar, but giving us some advance notice helps us better prepare. Send questions to education@moviemadness.org.
Join us for a virtual seminar, where our instructor will discuss the film in more detail and answer your questions.
Scholarships:
We are committed to making our education offerings as accessible as possible. If cost is a barrier, please fill out this form to receive a full tuition waiver.