The film “Leaves of Grass” – a tragicomedy set in Oklahoma written by Tulsa native Tim Blake Nelson – will be presented on Thursday, Jan. 27, at Rogers State University.
The film, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 7 p.m. in the Will Rogers Auditorium on the RSU campus in Claremore.
The screening is part of the RSU Fine Arts Film Series, sponsored by the RSU School of Liberal Arts.
“Our goal is to expose our students and the community to some of our most classic and thought-provoking films,” said Dr. Michael McKeon, assistant professor.
Nelson is best known for his role in the popular film “Oh, Brother Where Art Thou.” The main character in his latest film is an Ivy League philosophy professor who is drawn back to Oklahoma by his scheming twin brother, both of whom are played by Edward Norton.
Aside from Nelson and Norton, other well-known actors such as Richard Dreyfuss and Susan Sarandon play important characters in the story. Themes of the film include classical philosophy and poetry, as well personal plans changing outside of a person’s control when family crises arise, according to Hugh Foley, RSU fine arts professor, who will introduce the film.
“‘Leaves of Grass’ fulfills our goals for this film series by exhibiting excellent filmmaking, challenging thematic material and the desire on our part to show critically lauded films that students and the community may not have had a chance to see in a “big screen” environment,” Foley said.
The film is rated R and is not suitable for children. For more information on the RSU film series, call (918) 343-7594 or visit www.rsu.edu.