TU’s Veterans Center and the Department of Electronic Media & Film (EMF) are co-sponsoring the free annual Veterans’ Film Series, which this year commemorates the centennial of World War I (1914-1918).
Trevor Lowing ’11 (B.S., history), budget specialist for the College of Fine Arts and Communication (COFAC), will introduce each of the films.
Lowing, who has long been interested in World War I, explains it was the first war in which technology rose to the forefront.
“It was supposed to be ‘the war to end all wars,’” Lowing said, “but, in fact, it marked the beginning of 20th century warfare.”
In preparation for this year’s series, Lowing compiled a list of more than 30 World War I-themed films. He and Greg Faller, COFAC associate dean, then winnowed the contenders to four.
“We wanted to represent varied perspectives on the war,” Faller explained. “I think our selection achieves that balance.”
This year’s Veterans Film Series includes:
Fri., Oct. 30, 7 p.m. – “All Quiet on the Western Front” (1930)
A young German soldier faces profound disillusionment in the soul-destroying horror of war.
Fri., Nov. 6, 7 p.m. – “Gallipoli” (1981)
Two Australian sprinters discover the brutal realities of war when they are sent to fight in the Gallipolli campaign in Turkey.
Fri., Nov. 13, 7 p.m. – “Behind the Lines” (1997)
British soldiers are sent to an asylum to be treated for what is now known as post-traumatic stress disorder.
Fri., Nov. 20, 7 p.m. – “Joyeux Noel” (2005)
A multinational collaboration about the historic (and unofficial) 1914 Christmas Truce on the Western Front, during which soldiers from both sides fraternized and celebrated.
All screenings take place in Van Bokkelen 204. The series is free and open to the public.
