The figure of the star has been strongly tied to cinema’s status as a “dream factory” since the star system was developed in the early 1910s. During their heyday, stars were the engine that propelled the film industry to great heights, but they rarely enjoyed much economic freedom. The current situation sees stars possessing more autonomy but less boxoffice clout.
DATE
November 6
TIME
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
LOCATION
New Life Church
Lecture Details
Lecturer: Dr. Charlie Keil
Dr. Charlie Keil is a professor in the Cinema Studies Institute and the Department of History at the University of Toronto, where he also serves as Principal of Innis College. He has published eight books and over 50 articles, most of them focusing on American cinema, often of the silent era. His teaching has been recognized by multiple awards, and he is a member of the President’s Teaching Academy.
More Lectures in This Series
2026-2027 Fall – The Art And Allure Of Cinema
The Language Of Cinema
Lecturer: Dr. Charlie Keil
The medium of film distinguishes itself from other artforms by using distinct techniques and methods…
2026-2027 Fall – The Art And Allure Of Cinema
The History Of American Cinema
Lecturer: Dr. Charlie Keil
No other film industry has proven more powerful and influential than that of the United…
2026-2027 Fall – The Art And Allure Of Cinema
Popular Genres
Lecturer: Dr. Charlie Keil
The conventions of cinematic storytelling have often been shaped to produce recurring bodies of film…
2026-2027 Fall – The Art And Allure Of Cinema
Authorship
Lecturer: Adam Nayman
The figure of the director has long loomed large in film history: are directors inspired…
2026-2027 Fall – The Art And Allure Of Cinema
Cinema And Society
Lecturer: Adam Nayman
Bertolt Brecht once said that art can be a mirror or a hammer; with this…