A survey of the changing role of the film critic today – champion of quality cinema or responsible for some red faces on the red carpets?
Phillip Bergson, son of an award-winning Bradford photographer, was winner of a New Statesman competition with an essay on Sex and Violence in the Cinema. As a Classics Scholar at Balliol College he founded the Oxford Film Festival, and on graduating was selected as a New Critic by The Sunday Times. He continues to broadcast on BBC Radio and TV programmes, is an invited member of the UK Critics’ Circle, FIPRESCI, and the European Film Festival and will talk about his experiences as jury member at many international film events, and how the relationship between reviewer, film-maker, and stars has evolved over the century, in print and online.
The event is organised by the University of Bradford in partnership with Bradford UNESCO City of Film and forms part of the 70th anniversary of UNESCO.
Director of Bradford UNESCO City of Film, David Wilson, said: ‘We are delighted to be celebrating the 70th anniversary of UNESCO with this free master class from one of the UK’s top film critics. We are also developing a series of new courses in partnership with the university to try to ensure that there is a more diverse range of people able to enter field of film journalism.’
Mark Garratt, Director of External Affairs, University of Bradford said: “As a leading technology university, we embrace our role in creating film makers of the future. This is a fantastic opportunity for our students, staff and the local community to meet a renowned film critic.
“Through close partnerships across the city, Bradford continues to be one of the most exciting places for aspiring film makers and filming locations across the UK.”
Dr Mark Goodall, Head of Film and Media, at the University of Bradford says that “We are hosting this talk because it is very important that we understand the history of critical/journalistic perspectives on cinema, in addition to how films are made and consumed”.
The master class is free to attend and will take place at 6pm on Wednesday 18th November 2015 in the John Stanley Bell Lecture Theatre, Richmond Building, Great Horton Road, Bradford BD7 1DS.
