Preus-Brandt Forum
Join Drs. Herbert Gooch (Political Science) and Michael Gerson (Graduate School of Psychology) for two evenings of magic and mystery. As part of this year's Reel Madness, they will be showing the films The Prestige and The Illusionist.
Set in the 1800's The Prestige follows two stage magicians, played by Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman, who engage in a ruthless competitive one-upmanship in an attempt to create the ultimate stage illusion. Also set in the Victorian era, The Illusionist stars Edward Norton as the "renown magician", Eisenheim , who pursues the love of his childhood sweetheart [Jessica Biel] while attempting to steal her from marriage to a cruel and murderous Crown Prince Leopold. Both films captivate the audience with remarkable feats of magic set in a backdrop of mystery, romance, and intrigue. Freud called his method a form of "slow magic." After each film, there will be a discussion of the role magic continues to play in modern society, culture, and psychiatry.