On February 19, 2008, David L. Vierling, a Berlin-based expert in comparative literature, media studies and film, working at the John F. Kennedy School, Berlin (Department of English), visited ECLA to present a lecture on “Woody Allen’s Hannah and Her Sisters: The Search for ‘a Very Deep Feeling of Being Part of Something’”. This guest lecture was part of ECLA’s winter term film class dedicated to the films of Woody Allen. Analyzing Hannah and Her Sisters by showing clips of the film, looking closely at plot structure, important scenes and characters, David Vierling revealed some of the essential philosophical ideas and crucial artistic elements of Woody Allen’s work and demonstrated how the director conveys concepts of life, love and happiness, including rather bleak ideas and desolate notions about the human condition, in his personal, sophisticated cinematic style.
With ample information on the life and career of Woody Allen and specific details about other Allen films, the lecture did not only feature an analysis and interpretation of the particular artistic accomplishments of Hannah and Her Sisters in a profound, yet entertaining way, but provided also a substantial and conclusive overview of the achievements of one of America’s most distinguished film directors.
by Matthias Hurst (faculty)