RSU Fine Arts Film Series to Present ‘Raging Bull’ Nov. 11

Martin Scorsese’s classic film “Raging Bull,” about a violent boxer unable to control his emotions, will be shown on Thursday, Nov. 11, at Rogers State University.

The film, which is free and open to the public, will be presented 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.

Widely considered one of the greatest films of all time by cinema historians and critics, “Raging Bull” is the story of a powerful athlete who excels as a boxer because of his violent nature and tough upbringing, but is not able to manage his own emotions outside of the sport, said Dr. Hugh Foley, RSU fine arts professor.

Earning an Academy Award for Robert DeNiro as best actor in 1980, and an Oscar for best film editing that year, the film uses stark black and white contrasts through lighting, dramatic camera techniques and rough dialogue to emphasize the main character’s rigid and unapologetic brutishness, itself a metaphor for his lack of self-awareness, 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.