How Does “It’s A Wonderful Life” Reflect the Post-WWII Sentiment of 1946?
"It’s A Wonderful Life" is not an escapist film but a demonstration that, as senseless and fruitless as one's attempts at goodness might seem in a hostile world, these positive…
How Do “War of the Worlds” & “Close Encounters” Show Campbell’s Idea of the Hero’s “Road of Trials”?
"War of the Worlds" and "Close Encounters," both alien stories directed by Spielberg, are two great examples of Joseph Campbell's storytelling principles in action.
Ask the Composers: Danny Bensi & Saunder Jurriaans Discuss Their Four Films at Sundance 2016
Composer team Danny Bensi and Saunder Jurriaans talked to ScreenPrism about their four Sundance films, why they're drawn to writing music for conflicted female protagonists and how they became…
Ask the Filmmakers: How did “Brahman Naman” Create the Aesthetic of Small-Town 1980s India?
The filmmakers and cast of "Brahman Naman" spoke to ScreenPrism about creating the texture of 1980s Bangalore, reviving childhood memories and developing a visual style through an…
Ask the Director: What Was Your Vision for Polish Vampire Mermaid Musical “The Lure”?
Director Agnieszka Smoczyńska received a special Sundance 2016 award for her unique vision. How did she conceive of the mermaid story and its unusual, hybrid genre?
Ask the Filmmakers: How Does “Brahman Naman” Use the Sex Comedy Format to Talk About Serious Issues?
The light-hearted Sundance comedy draws audience into questioning India's caste system and deeply entrenched sexism.
Ask the Actors: How Did the Stars of “The Lure” Prepare to Play Mermaids?
Polish actresses Marta Mazurek and Michalina Olszanska loved mermaids as children and feel it was their destiny to star in the mermaid vampire musical "The Lure," which won a Sundance…
What Does “Spa Night” Reveal About Second-Generation Korean-American Culture?
The characters in "Spa Night" are familiar to second-generation Korean-Americans, but none of them retread the stereotypes, clichés, and melodrama that pepper the majority of…
Talk with the Filmmakers: The Director and Stars of “Spa Night” at Sundance 2016
ScreenPrism talks to the director and stars of Sundance 2016 standout "Spa Night" about the story of a closeted Korean-American who enters an underground world of gay sex at the Korean…
How Do “The Red Badge of Courage” and “Platoon” Humanize the “Common Soldier” in War?
The "common soldier" is in many ways the everyman fighting for his country and kinsman. "Platoon" and "The Red Badge of Courage" humanize these characters while…
Is “The Last Temptation of Christ” the most realistic film portrayal of Jesus?
"The Last Temptation of Christ" is one of the most controversial Jesus films ever made, but in some respects, could be the most accurate depiction of Jesus Christ.
How is the Harry Potter Universe an Alternate Existence of British Society and Education?
The magical properties and characters in "Harry Potter" allow viewers to escape their painful realities while enjoying universal aspects of the United Kingdom culture as it is lived.