Published by Communications and Public Affairs (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982 or 53338
News Release
September 15, 2003
Novelist to give talk, film screening at U of G
Christopher Bram, author of Father of Frankenstein — the basis for the critically acclaimed 1998 film Gods and Monsters — will speak to University of Guelph students and community members Sept. 24 and 25. Also on Sept. 25, documentary filmmaker Draper Shreeve will speak at the University of Guelph-Humber. All events are free.
The events are part of the 2003-2004 College of Arts speaker series on "Film and Literature." The goal of the series is to expose the community to the world of filmmakers, screenwriters and authors. The lectures are co-sponsored by the School of English and Theatre Studies and the U of G Alumni Association.
A screening of Gods and Monsters will begin at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 24 in the Ontario Veterinary College's Lifetime Learning Centre and will be followed by a question-and-answer period with Bram and a reception. On Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. in the Pages café above the U of G bookstore, Bram will read from his novel in progress, Lives of the Circus Animals, and will answer participant questions following the reading.
"We're thrilled to have Christopher Bram as our guest at Guelph," said Alan Shepard, director of the School of English and Theatre Studies. "He is in the midst of an impressive career as a writer. His eight or nine novels show a wide range of concerns — from the history of private lives to human rights, from comedies of manners to tragic tales of oppression."
Bram is a New York-based novelist whose work has been praised for its understanding of human nature. He addresses gay life in a variety of periods and locales through his works: The Notorious Dr. August: His Real Life & Crimes, Gossip, Almost History, In Memory of Angel Clare, Hold Tight and Surprising Myself. Although he's known primarily for his works of fiction, his critical writing has also appeared in many publications, including the Lambda Book Report, New York Native, Christopher Street and New York Times Book Review.
Shreeve's most recent documentary, Kids of Penzance, about a multicultural group of New York City teenagers and their teachers, will be shown at 1:30 p.m. in Room 126 of the University of Guelph-Humber building. Shreeve will talk about his work following the film.
"Draper Shreeve is well-known in New York and international art circles as a designer, actor and filmmaker," said Shepard. "His films show the influence of these several careers wrapped together, and they present daring and sometimes tender visions of contemporary queer life. He's looking forward to interacting with students at Guelph-Humber, and we're lucky to be able to host him there."
For media questions, contact Communications and Public Affairs: Lori Bona Hunt (519) 824-4120, Ext. 53338, or Rachelle Cooper, (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982.
