Report: The Film Buffs Screening Series

The Department of English and CLS revived its film club, The Film Buffs, on 29th April 2026. Over three consecutive days, three landmark films were screened, followed by in-depth academic discussion the outcome of which formed points on the Discussion Board.

Day 1: April 29, 2026 – The Hours

The series opened with The Hours (2002), directed by Stephen Daldry from a screenplay by David Hare. Based on Michael Cunningham’s 1998 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, the film explores the interconnected lives of three women across different eras, linked by Virginia Woolf’s seminal novel, Mrs. Dalloway (1925). Following the screening, students and alumni engaged in a vibrant discussion regarding the film’s non-linear cinematography and its poignant thematic exploration of mental health and female agency.

Day 2: April 30, 2026 – Freud’s Last Session

On the second day, the club screened Freud’s Last Session (2023), directed by Matt Brown. The film is an adaptation of Mark St. Germain’s stage play, which was inspired by Armand Nicholi’s book, The Question of God. The narrative centers on a fictional meeting between Sigmund Freud and C.S. Lewis on the eve of World War II. The post-screening dialogue delved into the binary of science vs. religion, the nature of symbolism, and the complex, codependent relationship between Freud and his daughter, Anna.

Day 3: May 1, 2026 – Lust for Life

The final screening featured the classic American biographical film Lust for Life (1956), directed by Vincente Minnelli. Based on Irving Stone’s 1934 novel, the film chronicles the turbulent life of Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh. It traces his journey from his failed aspirations in the ministry to his posthumous evolution into a world-renowned artist. The subsequent discussion focused on the intersection of talent and suffering, the definition of sanity, and the visceral reality of the artistic process.

Conclusion

To conclude the event, students attempted to synthesize the three films through the abstract concepts of Death, God, and Art—elements essential to the human condition. The revival of the film club proved to be an enriching and fruitful experience, allowing participants to ruminate on the complexities of life as portrayed through cinema. The audience was small but very interested, and hence the deliberations were quite intense. The Department has received suggestions for future screenings and a second session of Film Buffs would be announced.