Rainbow Lifelong Learning Institute, Boston

Class Schedule:
This class will take place on Wedndays at 10:30 AM for five weeks (1/22/25 - 2/19/25).  This course will be on zoom.

Course Description:
This course will consist of five award winning Australian films, all of which have women in key production roles including director, screenplay, or book author. 

All of the films are available on streaming services and/or YouTube for free or for a nominal fee. Some are also available through local library networks. The films will be viewed for homework. Each week there may be additional short articles which the instructor will send out ahead of time.
In each class, the instructor will set the context for discussion with background on the film, its production, and its historical setting if relevant. Class discussion will include:

     a) general reactions to the film

     b) the actions and behaviors of the female protagonist relative to the           story and its historical setting 

     c) broad issues of relevance to female leads. Clips from the film,                  reviews, interviews, and relevant research will be used to ground              the discussion.

    d) is having women in key production roles important to ensure that            women are treated fairly in films?

The five weeks will follow a roughly chronological sequence according to the time in which the film is set.

Week 1: My Brilliant Career (set in late1890s)

Week 2: The Nightingale (set in early 1890s)

Week 3: The Dressmaker (set in 1950s)

Week 4: Tracks (set in 1970s)

Week 5: Rabbit Proof Fence (set in 1931)

Films: My Brilliant Career (1979), The Nightingale (2018), The Dressmaker (2015), Tracks (2013), Rabbit Proof Fence (2002). All the films have optional subtitles.

Instructor:
Kate Seideman grew up in Melbourne, Australia. She went to college (undergraduate and graduate) in England before moving to America for post-doctoral research. Since coming to Boston she has worked in research or early product development for several large high tech companies addressing issues of collaboration and ease-of-use. She is a member and volunteer at BOLLI (Brandeis Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) where she has previously taught this course.

Homework:
The films will be viewed for homework. Each week there may be additional short articles which the instructor will send out ahead of time.

Preparation for First Class: 
Watch My Brilliant Career (1979)