RMMLA 10-12 October, 2002
Biographical film has been a constant since the beginnings of filmmaking. This session seeks to address issues of biographical representation in film, whether in papers which engage with single films or ones which undertake to theorize filmed lives as a genre. Other organized sessions on this topic have resulted in discussions of racism in biographical film, representations of genius, and notions of memory, along with political lives and arts lives. There is a rich and varied body of material from which to draw: lives in politics, sports, performance, literature. The 2001 Academy Awards saw three of five best actor nominations go to actors cast in biographical roles (Ed Harris, Geoffrey Rush, and Javier Bardem) and this year's pool has some likely prospects emerging: A Beautiful Mind, Iris, and Ali.