Texas Focus: Paris, Texas
Texas Spirit Theater | R | 145 min. | Drama
January 17, 2019 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Join the Bullock Museum for a screening and conversation about the quiet, contemplative film, Paris, Texas.
Travis Henderson, an aimless drifter who has been missing for four years, wanders out of the desert and must reconnect with society, himself, his life, and his family.
Event Details
Paris, Texas, co-written by Texan L.M. Kit Carson, takes place, and was shot in various parts of Texas. Paris, Texas is a quiet film, which comments on the American myth and journey. Much of the plot is understood through the arid back-drop of Texas and the score, with no dialogue heard until more than 20 minutes into the film.
A cinematic exploration of the Texas narrative, the Museum's Texas Focus Film Series highlights stories by, for, and about Texans. This season's selections center around classic ideas of Texas and Texans as viewed on screen. This evening's program is shown in conjunction with our Spirit Theater Gallery Texas Film Poster exhibition, and includes a film screening and Q&A with William P. Hobby Centennial Professor Emeritus, Janet Staiger. Come early at 6pm for a welcome reception.
Please note: Entrance for this screening will be at the IMAX lobby doors.
Your ticket purchase supports the Bullock Museum's exhibitions and educational programming.
Rating: R
Suggested age: 18+
Directors: Wim Wenders
Writers: Sam Shepard (written by) and L.M. Kit Carson (adaptation)
Runtime: 145 min.
Genre: Drama
Release year: 1984
Paris, Texas won the Palme d'Or at the 1984 Cannes Film Festival as well as being nominated for a Golden Globe and numerous other prestigious awards. Texas Monthly has included this film in their 'Best Texas Movies' list for its depiction of Marathon, Texas, and Entertainment Weekly also included it in 'The 25 Best Texas Movies.'
Texas native, Blind Willie Johnson's 1927 tune, "Dark Was the Night" was recreated by composter Ry Cooder for this film.
Janet Staiger is William P. Hobby Centennial Professor Emeritus in Communication and Women's and Gender Studies at the University of Texas. She particularly attends to questions about situated and historical authorship, audiences and reception, and positionalities of gender and sexuality. Among her books are The Classical Hollywood Cinema: Film Style and Mode of Production to 1960 (1985, co-authored), Interpreting Films (1992), Bad Women: Regulating Sexuality in Early American Cinema (1995), Blockbuster TV: Must-See Sitcoms in the Network Era (2000), Perverse Spectators (2000), Authorship and Film (2002, co-ed), Media Reception Studies (2005), and Political Emotions (2010, co-ed.).
The Texas Spirit Theater located on the Bullock Museum's second floor is one of the most beautiful film experiences in Austin and features multi-sensory special effects such as lightning, rain, and other surprises.
Museum Members enjoy free unlimited IMAX® documentary films, discounts on feature film tickets, free exhibition admission, discounts in the Museum Store, and more. Learn More.
Learn about ticket prices, refund policies, and parking (free after 5 pm). For evening programs, please enter through the Bullock Museum IMAX Theatre.
Alcohol sponsorship for Texas Focus is provided by Austin Cocktails.
Promotional Support by Texas Film Commission
