What makes The Shining one of the greatest horror films of all time? Explore the influences on Kubrick’s horror masterpiece with instructor John Trafton.
This class will be presented in person at the SIFF Film Center and livestreamed via Zoom. Register below for either in-person attendance or for virtual access.
The date of this event has passed.
Wednesday, October 13, 2021
7:00–9:00pm PT
$25 Sustainer | $15 Regular | $10 SIFF Member
SIFF Film Center Classroom (live) and livestreamed via Zoom Webinar. Zoom meeting details will be emailed to virtual ticket purchasers shortly before the scheduled event.
CLASS DESCRIPTION
After forty years, what makes The Shining one of the greatest horror films of all time? The film interacts with us on a deeply psychological level. The Shining cinematically maps out our mind in a way that feels both familiar and strange. We project our worst fears on the story and characters, even when we know what’s lurking around every corridor of The Overlook. But why does this happen? Kubrick’s film is based on Stephen King’s novel and we know that King famously hated Kubrick’s film. But do you know about Diane Johnson's contribution—the UC Berkeley literature professor that co-wrote the screenplay with Kubrick? Have you ever seen the silent horror films that inspired Kubrick: The Phantom Carriage, Nosferatu, or Vampyr? You may have experienced a virtual reality film, but have you have considered The Shining as a forerunner to VR experiences? Have you appraised The Shining's influence on recent horror films like The Witch, Get Out, and Hereditary? Join us as we explore these questions and a whole lot more in our cinema DNA of Kubrick’s horror masterpiece.
All are welcome! Registrants are suggested to have viewed The Shining in advance of the class. There will be clips from additional films that inspired The Shining presented during the classtime.
John Trafton teaches film studies at Seattle University and is the author of "The American Civil War and The Hollywood War Film." Visit his website.
The Cinema DNA class series focuses on the genealogical inspirations of great films. Through engaging with the films that influence great filmmakers, audiences may develop a deeper appreciation for the art, ideas, and social movements that shape the artistic stories we love.
