The legacy of the SFSU School of Cinema is nothing short of remarkable. In our most recent forum, we had the opportunity to indulge in that history with film pioneer, Barbara Hammer, alumna and renegade of the Cinema program. The juicy dialogue led by another SFSU Cinema phenom, Cheryl Dunye, wrapped up Hammer’s visit to campus and master class with aspiring graduate and undergraduate students in the program.
Students take part in the conversation, populating the studio audience and posing questions to Hammer and Dunye that are interesting and provocative. Hammer and Dunye give generously of themselves and share their past experiences with incredible candor. They don advice on shooting those intimate love scenes, share moments of questioning their own work and desires and ultimately land on the most important tool each one has to create and continue creating. For Barbara, it was the Hammer and for Cheryl it was the Dun and the Ye. All they need is all they have. The uniqueness of their beings and the courage to reckon with themselves is what they rely upon – and that is all any artist needs to achieve her vision.
It was a delicious afternoon for all who were there. But, if you weren’t, take a look at how it went down.
Barbara Hammer’s visit to SFSU was co-sponsored by The School of Cinema, The School of Art, Queer Cinema Institute, Documentary Film Institute and the College of Liberal & Creative Arts. Hammer presented her new film, Welcome To This House to the SFSU community and general public. She held a master class with graduate and undergraduate students in the School of Cinema and visited classes to view student work. She was honored with the inaugural Barbara Hammer scholarship presented by the Queer Cinema Institute and won by John Edward Serafica (former DocFilm Intern Extraordinaire)
Written By Soumyaa K. Behrens
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