Guilt and Spectatorship 10.00 am Birkbeck Cinema, 43 Gordon Square – 5.00 pm, Saturd op and Screening h Works ay, 28 November BISR Guilt Group / / BIMI Speakers include Clive Bloom (NYUL) Başak Ertür (Birkbeck) Jon Hoskins (artist) The idea that there might be a connection between being looked at and feelings of guilt or shame has long been canvassed. Bentham’s Panopticon built a correctional system on the idea. Film theory turned it round, so guilt recoils on the spectator. In this one-day event we will start by thinking about the relationship between guilt and spectatorship in the role of the media in recent riots, in political trials and in politically engaged art. We will then watch and discuss Carol Reed’s 1948 film, The Fallen Idol. To reserve a place for the workshop and screening, contact James Brown at [email protected]. The Birkbeck Institute for the Moving Image in association with the BISR Guilt Group presents GUILT : a series of films The Fallen Idol Carol Reed, UK, 1948, 95 minutes Birkbeck Cinema Saturday 28 November 2.00pm-5.00pm Presenter: James Brown The Fallen Idol is the last film in our season on childhood and guilt and the film we’re watching as part of our day on Guilt and Spectatorship . Since at least the eighteenth century, the notion of childhood as privileged and innocent has appealed. Graham Greene, who adapted his short story for the film, had no such rosy view of childhood. Phillipe (Bobby Henrey) is the son of a London ambassador. With his mother ill and his father absent, he is left at the embassy in the care of the butler Baines (Ralph Richardson) and his draconian wife (Sonia Dresdel). In the first half we see from Phillipe’s point of view, yet we also realise what he misses. He idolizes Baines. Baines has conjured for him an heroic (and violently imperialist) past in Africa. In reality, Baines has never been there, and wants to leave his wife for Julie (Michèle Morgan). Phillipe sees, but does not understand. Baines shifts between performing for Phillipe’s amusement and his entirely different behaviour when he thinks Phillipe is not looking. But then looking becomes a matter not just of seeing but of witnessing or imagining a crime. What Phillipe misses and what he thinks he sees make him complicit. For information about the Guilt Group's work, see http://www.bbk.ac.uk/bisr/research/guilt-working-group. BIMI is funded by four schools at Birkbeck: the School of Arts, the School of Law, the School of Social Sciences, History and Philosophy, and the School of Science. The University of Pittsburgh is also a partner and co-funder. FREE ADMISSION | Registration Required Learn more at http://www.bbk.ac.uk/arts/research/birkbeck-institute-for-the-moving-image/events If no seats are available, please add your name to the waiting list and come anyway. The cinema is rarely full. .