The Power of Film - An Open Gateway to Film and Storytelling
For any fan who loves to deep dive and analyze films, there is an ongoing series on Turner Classic Movies (TCM) that you must check out, The Power of Film. This 6 part documentary series is hosted by Howard Suber, a UCLA professor emeritus and founding chair of UCLA’s Film and Television Producers Program. He has been teaching film for decades and he definitely is a pro at lecturing.
These episodes are more lecture-like than documentary as Suber compounds decades of film analysis and categorizes them into six distinct presentations. For anyone who is familiar with how difficult and expensive it is to get into UCLA, this documentary series is a short, sweet, and immensely invaluable resource to film-lovers.
“Lots of films make a lot of money in their initial release. They can make over a billion dollars, but most of those films nobody wants to talk about, let along look at again a year later.
This whole series is based around memorable, popular American films I’m talking about films for which objectively there’s a cultural consensus....if you tell me you don’t The Godfather, my reaction is, I don’t care. It’s on everybody’s lists. But if I’m talking about memorable films, I have to be talking about the past and history is biased. ”
This statement that Suber delivers in the first part The Power of Film showcases not only his sharp foresight but also what to expect in terms of delivery. Most of the films that Suber breaks down and analyzes is repeated over and over and yes, there are definite spoilers.
It is a very long list of movies that are referenced but expect to see many scenes from the Godfather series as well as Thelma and Louise, High Noon, Casablanca, Schindler’s List, Alien, and so much more.
If you are one to follow modern pop culture trend with the need to insistently cry out “no spoilers!” then hold off on watching these episodes. It may take a few weeks to experience all of the movies that is references through out the series.
. Even though the endings are revealed, it does not take away from the lure of watching these movies that have drawn such ardent favor with audiences. Alternatively, there is a growing list of movies being added to my to watch pile due to the curiosity of what lead to the scene being spoken about or the analysis of the ending that Suber provides.
None of the clips are presented in any chronological sense so what viewers are getting are teeny snippers of what the movie is. Suber will take time to discuss the themes of the episode and as he does so, a reel from the movie will play. Often times, it’s the same reel replayed but discussed in a different way. As Suber lectures through the episodes, one could almost being a student in his class during his time at UCLA and being completely engrossed. For sure, this lecture is miles more entertaining than organic chemistry.
After watching a few episodes, there is definitely a shift in how I view the movies that I have watched and have yet to watch. During the first episode, Suber mentions the sacrifice of the hero and what the audience requires of the hero that surprisingly resonated and stuck to the mind long after I watched the episode. This little nugget of storytelling information has widened the eyes on the heroes that I have known in both film and in books. This makes a more substantial and deep appreciation for the stories that are revisited over and over.
Here’s what makes this series so amazing. Anyone, repeat, anyone can watch this series. The Power of Film is a solid and welcoming introduction into popular films throughout history. Somehow, Suber was able to condense those years of lecturing experience in six, bite-size episodes. And happy news, we will not be quizzed on it!
So audiences are free to just enjoy the series as Suber guides us through a few of the foundational hearts of story telling in film. He presents the concepts in the most welcoming and encouraging manner. It’s a manner that invites one to a conversation no matter to how much exposure to cinema . There is a high chance that the audience has seen or known of at least one movie that is referenced in the episode. Even from one movie can start a million branches of topics to discuss.
The Power of Film is great for everyone. Great for those who have extensive knowledge of film to those who are only aware of what’s Marvel has released. These episodes bridge concepts across decades of popular cinema while also bridging communication between viewers.
For each episode, it’s just Suber and the movie clips he’s referencing. There are no external interviews or cameos. It’s just Suber sharing earnestly the patterns and concepts of storytelling. You can feel the love and power of this fan reaching out across the screen to spread the love of cinema.
For the power of film lies with you, the viewer. Without the viewer, films would just fade to black.
There are two episodes left in the ongoing series. It is not necessarry to watch the episodes in order as they are contained within the titled theme. However, the ideas and concepts do carry on to the next episode. Not enough to get lost if starting from episode 5. The episodes should stir enough curiosity to stream back to the previous episodes though.
To watch The Power of Film, go to Turner Classic Movies HERE.
What is already available:
Part 1 – Popular and Memorable
A large proportion of the most commercially successful American films are quickly forgotten. A tiny fraction, however, are truly memorable, lasting from one generation to another. Using iconic scenes from many of these classic films, this series explores films that were both popular and memorable. In this episode, Howard Suber asks why this small minority continues to have such power.
Part 2 – Trapped
Nearly all memorable stories, whether told in movies or in real life, are about traps. The most memorable are generally about the loss, sacrifice, and ultimate triumph the central character must engage in to escape their trap.
Part 3 – Character Relationships
There’s no such thing as an interesting character; there are only interesting character relationships. But, as is true for religions, myths, and the longest-lasting dramas, the structure of most memorable dramatic plots centers on a single individual, around whom all the most important action and the other characters revolve.
Part 4 – Heroes and Villains
Memorable films tend to be a compensation for what we don’t see much of in the real world— justice, commitment, and altruism. Film drama frequently treats the central characters as if they were heroes or villains, but often the two are very much alike.
What is coming up:
Thursday, February 1 at 8pm ET | Part 5 – The Power of Paradox
In almost every memorable film, things are not what they seem, and learning the truth about characters and situations creates much of the tension in the film. Often, the truth of the film is quite paradoxical, which is what makes us want to keep watching.
Thursday, February 8 at 8pm ET | Part 6 – Love and Meaning
Although it’s often said that in order to succeed, a Hollywood film has to have a happy ending, when you look at the most memorable love stories it’s astonishing how many of them end with the separation or death of one or both lovers. Often, the paradox underlying the film helps explain why they stick in our memories.
