Futuristic Bicentennial Man to be featured at Syracuse University Film Festival on Sept. 26September 19, 2002Judy Holmesjlholmes@syr.edu
The 1999 futuristic “Bicentennial Man” will be the next featured film in the Fall 2002 Film Festival, sponsored by Syracuse University’s School of Information Studies. The film will be shown at 7 p.m., Sept. 26 in SU’s Kittredge Auditorium in Huntington Beard Crouse Hall. A discussion, led by Dean Raymond von Dran will follow. The film festival is free and open to the public.
Starring Robin Williams, “Bicentennial Man” is based on a work by Isaac Asimov and directed by Chris Columbus, director of “Mrs. Doubtfire.”
Williams plays Andrew, a robot programmed for domestic chores and sold to an upper-middleclass family in the year 2005. The family patriarch (played by Sam Neill) recognizes and encourages Andrew’s uncommon characteristics, particularly his artistic streak, sensitivity to beauty, humor and independence of spirit. In so doing, he sets Williams’ tin man on a two-century journey to become more human than most human beings.
“Bicentennial Man” is a compelling discourse about technology and humanity. Is there a difference between artificial and biological intelligence?
Is emotion an artifact of biology? Do machines have rights?
The School of Information Studies film festival is designed to stimulate thought and discussion about the role of information in society through the medium of film. Faculty members and doctoral students from the school will facilitate discussions immediately following the viewings.
Laura-Anne Minkoff-Zern, associate professor of food studies in Falk College, was interviewed for the Syracuse.com story “Why aren’t NY farm workers in the Covid-19 vaccine line?” Minkoff-Zern, an expert on the intersections of food and social justice, comments on the…
Gladys McCormick, associate professor of history in the Maxwell School, was quoted in the Al Jazeera story “Biden to broaden US-Mexican relations, keep immigration at top.” McCormick, an expert on US-Mexico relations, believes that Mexican president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador…
Dennis Deninger, professor of practice in Falk College and the Newhouse School, was quoted in the Associated Press story “The long game: COVID changed the way we play, watch, cheer.” Deninger, an expert on sports television and media, believes that…
Robert Thompson, Trustee Professor of television, radio and film and director of the Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture in the Newhouse School, was quoted in The Wall Street Journal story “Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Ratings: Oprah Interview…
Christa Kelleher, assistant profession of earth environmental science in the College of Arts and Sciences, was quoted in the Newsweek article “7 Women Scientists Who Defied the Odds and Changed Science Forever.” Kelleher, an expert on hydrology, comments particularly on…
If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.
