Humanities (Video)

At the height of World War II, a team of Soviet scholars embarked on an ambitious goal to collect recently written songs dealing with the Holocaust. Lost until the early 1990's, these songs were rediscovered and recorded with an ensemble of recognized soloists. Thanks to the painstaking labor of Anna Shternshis and the talent of Psoy Korolenko, audiences worldwide can now enjoy and reflect upon this treasure trove of songs that offer a precious glimpse into an unfolding tragedy and the artistic reaction to it. Series: "Library Channel" [Humanities] [Show ID: 36542]

Moderator Emily Zinn sits down with director/executive producer Brad Silberling for a conversation about Netflix’s new holiday rom-com series, Dash & Lily. Their discussion explores how music, books, and location shooting come together to tell this heartwarming love story. Brad Silbering gives the audience an inside look into the production process and the joy of capturing Christmas in New York before the COVID-19 pandemic. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 36757]

In conversation with Jeremy Moore, Professors Myles McNutt and Laurie Ouellette discuss the complicated politics and cultural legacy of the path-breaking CBS reality show, Survivor. Together, McNutt, Ouellette, and Moore explore questions of genre, power, race, and the changing nature of labor and finance in the media industries. Touching as well on issues of fandom and celebrity, this discussion highlights how Survivor continues to shape the codes and conventions of reality TV even today, twenty years on from its iconic debut season. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 36771]

Moderator Miguel Penabella joins writer/director/actor/producer/editor of Lingua Franca (2019), Isabel Sandoval, for a conversation focusing on the film’s social and cultural resonances. With patience and nuance, the film addresses questions of immigration and migrant justice, labor, family, and the diverse experiences of trans women of color. Penabella and Sandoval discuss the evolution of the film and its central story, as well as Sandoval’s intimate involvement in all aspects of its production. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 36758]

In 2016, Dr. Steffanie Strathdee was involved in a remarkable case where she and her colleagues revived a hundred year old forgotten cure - bacteriophage therapy - to save her husband’s life from a deadly superbug infection. Strathdee shares the details of her family’s story and discusses ethical issues related to treating bacterial infections with viruses. Series: "Exploring Ethics" [Health and Medicine] [Humanities] [Show ID: 36633]

Writer, producer, and director Anna Biller talks about feminism, witches, and creating movies for female viewing pleasure in this Q&A for her 2016 horror film The Love Witch. Biller’s dedication to exploring feminist themes throughout her work lent itself to an insightful discussion the female gaze. Alongside moderator Rachael Ball, Biller invites us to explore the various feminist themes in The Love Witch and gives further insight into how she consciously explores these in her work and personal life. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 36602]

Moderator Patrice Petro joins series co-creator Scott Frank in a discussion of Netflix’s series The Queen’s Gambit. Their discussion explores the drama of chess, the process of adapting a complex novel to the screen, and the role of the child prodigy. Frank discusses working with world renowned chess masters in the development of fictional games, and issues involved in production, casting and design for the series. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 36683]

Writer/director Jeff Barnaby sat down with discussant Chelsea Vowel and Moderator Tyler Morgenstern to discuss his subversive zombie plague film, Blood Quantum. This discussion explored how the film took the contagion narrative and flipped it on its head. The speakers explored how the film confronts the violent history of Canadian settler-colonialism through its thoughtful use of genre, language, and narrative. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 36613]

Moderator Matt Ryan joined screenwriter/co-producer Christina Hodson in a conversation about the chaotic, funny, action-packed movie Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn). This discussion explored the transformation of the story from the Birds of Prey comics to the screen, as well as the major themes of emancipation, independence, and finding your own path. Christina Hodson offered an inside look at the narrative, characters, and character relationships within the film. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 36614]

Moderator Cheri Steinkellner joined writer/actor George McGrath (Globey/Pterri/Cowntess/Fish) and artist/designer/puppeteer Wayne White (Dirty Dog/Randy/Mr. Kite), as well as writer Bill Steinkellner in a conversation about the iconic Saturday morning television program Pee-wee's Playhouse. This freewheeling discussion explored the radical visual style, origins, and enduring legacy of the franchise that centered around the subversive and bizarre Pee-wee Herman character. The panelists offered an inside look at their involvement with the show and the lasting impacts that their work with Paul Reubens had on their lives and careers. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 36600]