Description
From 1967 to 1980, a new wave of Hollywood filmmakers emerged—film-school grads, veteran directors, and overlooked talents from theater, comedy, and TV—bringing fresh energy and creativity to the screen. This course features key films from the era, with monthly Wednesday screenings at 2 p.m. at the Hi-Pointe Theatre, followed by discussions led by Cliff Froehlich, retired executive director of Cinema St. Louis and former Riverfront Times film critic. The August 13 selection is Five Easy Pieces (Bob Rafelson, 1970, 98 min.). Jack Nicholson became a major star with his role as Bobby Dupea, a former piano prodigy turned oil field worker, hiding his past. When he returns home to visit his ailing father, tensions rise—especially with pregnant girlfriend Rayette (Karen Black) in tow and a new romantic interest (Susan Anspach) complicating things further. The film earned Nicholson his first Oscar nomination for Best Actor and remains a landmark of 1970s American cinema.
