Film Screening & Conversation: The Man Who Wasn’t There (2001)

Film and photography fans alike are invited to join Roger and James Deakins at the Athenaeum Center for a rare series of public events launching the Roger Deakins Photography Exhibition.

The film screening will be preceded by a conversation between ‘Team Deakins’ and New York Times columnist and the host of the Athenaeum Center’s Film & Culture Series, Ross Douthat.

The Man Who Wasn’t There, directed by the Coen Brothers, is a neo-noir tale set in 1949 California, following the quiet, unassuming barber Ed Crane, who becomes entangled in a web of deceit and murder. Ed, played by Billy Bob Thornton, sees an opportunity to change his mundane life when he becomes involved in a blackmail scheme, but his plans spiral out of control as he grapples with the consequences of his actions. With its atmospheric cinematography, sharp dialogue, and unexpected twists, the film explores themes of identity, fate, and the consequences of ambition in a world where reality is as elusive as the shadows it casts. Tickets: 15.00 ($12.00 for students) now available.