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Through the Lens: A Face in the Crowd

Original film poster
Wikimedia Commons
Original film poster

In 1957, Elia Kazan’s film about a media influencer was received with unfavorable reviews. Viewed in 2022, A Face in the Crowd seems absolutely prescient.

The film portrays a common man, "Lonesome" Rhodes, who beguiles large crowds of salt-of-the-earth people and inspires them to action, from trolling a small town sheriff to protesting those at the top. Kazan meant the film to be a warning, that we should keep an eye on power and watch for the truth. Did he succeed? This Friday we talk with Benjamin Thevenin about the influence and implications of Kazan’s A Face in the Crowd.  

Benjamin Thevenin is a screenwriter and Associate Professor of Media Arts at Brigham Young University. His most recent book is Making Media Matter: Critical Literacy, Popular Culture, and Creative Production. [TaylorFrancis|Amazon|Indiebound].

Airdate: Friday, June 4, 2022 at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Through the Lens screening details here.