MMU Crash Course classes offer a low-intensity way to explore a filmmaker or genre, in a friendly environment shared with fellow film lovers. Unlike our MMU 101 seminars, which include a lecture and class discussion, these Crash Courses offer a more casual approach: Films are curated and presented by staff experts, but there’s no formal lecture or discussion. You’ll also receive some “homework,” suggested reading and other films to find related to the topic (all optional, of course!).
Our December Crash Course focuses on Japanese actor and director “Beat” Takeshi. After two decades as a successful comedian and TV host, Beat Takeshi was offered a leading role in a yakuza film directed by the great Kinji Fukasaku. Due to a scheduling conflict, the production was canceled—but instead of letting the project evaporate, Kitano took it on as his directorial debut.
That film, VIOLENT COP, became the first of many starring and directed by the comedian-turned-auteur. It also saw the birth of his violent yet deadpan onscreen presence. In this class, we’ll explore this onscreen persona as it develops over a decade of films directed by Kitano.
(We aren’t allowed to promote the names of our education titles online, but feel free to email education@moviemadness.org with “Kitano class titles” in the subject line for a full list of titles.)
Movies will be screened at the Movie Madness Miniplex (4320 SE Belmont). Classes will be held Tuesdays in December at 7:00pm. Proof of vaccination and masks are required for all students and instructors. This class will be led by Movie Madness staffer Chris Henager.