Events

1984

[SCREENING] If you’ve been wanting to re-read George Orwell’s 1984, you’re not alone. If you haven’t been able to dig up your high school copy, you may have had trouble finding it at the library or even for purchase: it is presently number four on Amazon’s list of the top 10 best selling books, where it has been for most of 2017. Clearly many people are reminded that, back in 1948, Orwell wrote about a world that seems awfully like the one in which we now find ourselves, where people value authority over veracity, and are happy to believe that 2 + 2 = 5, if that’s what Big Brother says.

On April 4, in a show of support for the National Endowment for the Arts, more than 180 art house and alternative movies venues across America (including Buffalo’s Hallwalls) will be hosting a showing of Michael Radford’s scrupulously faithful adaptation of the book, starring John Hurt as Winston Smith and Richard Burton (in his last film appearance) as O’Brien. The film was not a hit when it was released at the height of the go-go 1980s, when its dystopian gloom was at odds with the bromides about American exceptionalism being pushed by Wall Street and the Reagan administration. But its oppressive cinematography (by Coen Brothers collaborator Roger Deakins early in his career) and droning electronic score by Eurythmics capture Orwell’s vision of a civilization he foresaw based on trends already in play a century ago. The screening this Tuesday, April 4 will include a introduction and post-screening interview with director Radford, taped on March 25.

$5-$8

When:

We're sorry, this event has already taken place!

Where:

Hallwalls

341 Delaware Ave.
Buffalo, NY
Phone: (716) 854-1694

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