Cinema Slapdown

Come for the film, stay for the fight! Fun. Fractious. Free.

Screenings are held in Film Row Cinema, 1104 S. Wabash, 8th Floor
Each screening starts at 7 pm followed by a spirited debate.

So how do we follow our red hot Fall 2009: Sex, Drugs and Rock n' Roll series?!
A new theme for Spring 2010: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
and a co-sponsor; Critical Encounters:Fact and Faith.

We’ll kick it off with a tussle over Stanley Kubrick’s visionary 2001: A Space Odyssey (screened with a 35mm print!), take on the Religious Right with the documentary Jesus Camp then close out the 2009/10 series with one of the most polarizing movies of the past 20 years, Todd Solondz’ dark and disturbing take on the postmodern dysfunctional family, Happiness.

Peace, love and harmony? Not likely! This is Cinema Slapdown!
Faculty fighters, celebrity guests and the most contentious audience this side of Jerry Springer.

Spring 2010: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

February 11: The Good -- 2001: A Space Odyssey
March 11: The Bad -- Jesus Camp
April 15: The Ugly -- Happiness

Fall 2009: Sex,Drugs & Rock n'Roll - Wrap Up

The Fall ’09 rounds of Cinema Slapdown were a roaring success, as much for the surprises as for our plans! Starting with our theme of Sex, Drugs and Rock ‘N Roll we pulled the covers off Alfonso Cuaron’s Y Tu Mama Tambien, cut through the haze of Terry Gilliam’s Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and had a couple of radio legends turn up the dial on Todd Haynes’ I’m Not There.

Biggest of all, though, was the last minute addition of one more riff on Rock ‘N Roll when former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich stopped by to defend the Elvis Presley vehicle Viva Las Vegas. The event gathered unprecedented press (both local and national) and was dubbed “the pop culture event of the year” by WMAQ’s Dick Johnson.

What exactly is Cinema Slapdown?

Cinema Slapdown is a unique screening series already well on its way to cult status. A wildly entertaining crossbreed of film discussion and knockdown, drag out debate, Cinema Slapdown showcases the best and the brightest of Columbia College Chicago’s faculty as well as total audience engagement.

At each session of Cinema Slapdown we screen a well-known though controversial film. It can be anything from a documentary that polarized its audience to a big award winner that left many scratching their heads and asking “Why?” Following the screening, two debaters (at least one of whom is a faculty member) fight it out.  One loves it, one hates it, and then they open themselves up to the feelings of the audience.

Each semester is built around a specific theme. 
What movies will we choose? Check back here to find out!

Questions? Contact Sandy Cuprisin, 312.369.6708 or scuprisin@colum.edu