Experience curated screenings from the Library's 16mm film collection and participate in guided discussions about film, history, and archives. Join us for a special 16mm film screening of Jean Cocteau's romantic fantasy feature Orpheus from 1950. For more information, please contact the branch at 305-375-5572 or specialcollections@mdpls.org. Ages 14 yrs.+
Jean Cocteau's update of the Orpheus myth depicts a famous poet (Jean Marais), scorned by the Left Bank youth, and his love for both his wife, Eurydice (Marie Déa), and a mysterious princess (Maria Casarès). Seeking inspiration, the poet follows the princess from the world of the living to the land of the dead, through Cocteau's famous mirrored portal. Orpheus's peerless visual poetry and dreamlike storytelling represent the legendary Coceatu at the height of his powers.
As a preshow presentation, we will watch David Hand's Thru the Mirror from 1936, featuring Mickey Mouse stepping through a mirror and finding himself in a dream a la Alice in Wonderland.
About the Film Collection
Did you know the Library is home to one of the few remaining circulating 16mm film collections in the country?
The MDPLS 16mm film collection dates back to 1956 and was developed to be a teaching collection designed to be utilized for public programming. Its holding include acclaimed feature films such as Rashomon (1950), Alphaville (1965), The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928), Pandora’s Box (1928), and 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968). However, what makes this collection special is the wide array of short films, ranging from experimental created by notable artists like Len Lye, Luis Bunel, Homer Groening, Kenneth Anger, Sergei Eisenstein, John Whitney to the educational produced by the likes of Pyramid Films, Xerox, McGraw Hill, and National Film Board of Canada. Unique to the collection are Florida specific titles like Enchanted (1982), Metropolis in the Sun (1989), The Everglades (1970), A Hurricane Named Betsy (1965), Miccosukee Indian Friends (1975), Salesman (1969), and more.
Due to the broad range of subjects and styles this collection is an invaluable resource of cultural knowledge that has the power to delight and educate.
About the Division of Special Collections & Archives
Miami-Dade Public Library System’s Division of Special Collections & Archives holds rare and irreplaceable historical documents for the benefit of the public and scholarly community. They oversee the Helen Muir Florida Collection, 16mm Film Collection, Cuban Collection of Rare Books & Ephemera, Genealogy Collection, Vasari Project, and rare & antiquarian books from as early as the 17th century. The Division's primary goal is to provide the public with the contents of the vault at their request. Its collections include rare books, original manuscripts, over 18,000 photographs, prints, artifacts, audiovisual resources, and electronic media.
AGE GROUP: | Young Adult (12-18) | Adult (19+) |
EVENT TYPE: | Special Event | Special Collections | Movies | In-Person | History |
TAGS: | Special Collections | In-Person |