Read

How do the spiritual representations in Snow White & Seven Dwarfs influence its ending?

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) was the first of a new era in which it became the first full-length animated feature that progressively re-defined cinema. Like many classic Disney…

Read

How was the “Carrie” blood soaking scene shot?

Carrie's famous prom blood soak is a praactical effect using an actual bucket of fake blood dumped onto the performers.

Read

What does the feather in “Forrest Gump” symbolize?

The feather represents fate, destiny, happenstance, and the wondrously uncontrollable nature of life.

Read

What kind of contraceptive did Anna buy for Mary on “Downton Abbey”?

A cervical cap is likely the device Anna purchased for Lady Mary's secret sex getaway with Tony Gillingham.

Read

How does the music of “Downton Abbey” service the narrative?

John Lunn's music in "Downton Abbey" helps connect storylines across seasons and characters to remind us what's going on.

Read

Ask the Professor: Why is the spinning wheel scene in “400 Blows” so memorable and iconic?

"400 Blows" is an innovative film that experimented with technology in order to create its memorable spinning wheel scene.

Read

Ask the Professor: Is “400 Blows” a semi-autobiography of Francois Truffaut?

When casting for "400 Blows," director Francois Truffaut chose actor Jean-Pierre Léaud not for his acting ability, but because Truffaut identified with Léaud's biography.

Read

Ask the Professor: How did “400 Blows” change the coming-of-age genre?

While films traditionally sentimentalized children, "400 Blows" is an authentic portrayal of childhood that captures the genuine emotions and experiences of a young teenage boy.

Read

Ask the Professor: Did the French New Wave invent the idea of the “auteur”?

Although the idea of the "auteur" was popularized during the French New Wave, it first came up with German theatre director Max Reinhardt.

Read

Ask the Professor: How did Truffaut transition from harsh film critic to filmmaker?

After being an outspoken and harsh critic, Truffaut became a filmmaker to prove that he can do better.

Read

Ask the Professor: Were the five sequels to “400 Blows” a new kind of episodic storytelling?

After Truffaut made "400 Blows," he may not have intended to make a sequel, but he liked the idea of following a character as he grows up.

Read

Ask the Professor: Why is the therapist scene in “400 Blows” so iconic?

By improvising the therapist scene in "400 Blows," Truffaut created one of the most iconic and memorable scenes in film.

Read