Page Two SCARLET AND BLACK Wednesday. November 9. I965 Editorial . . . SGA President Steve Kent’s nomination of Bond Faulwell to tile Senate Speakel'sl‘iip was a praisewortliy choice, The Senate badly needs steady, businesslike lead- ership at this crucial juncture in the college’s life. Seldom have so many important matters been before the Senate as at the present time, Sadly, seldom, too, has tlle organizational control of that august body been so shaky. Faolwell shows the strongest signs of any of tlle candidates of being able to straighten out the mess. It is to be hoped that action on the women‘s hours rules will pass the Senate in the next week or two and that action will be taken shortly on several of the other areas discussed in the October 11 “Extra" edition of the 8&8. These measures should be weighed carefully, but if they are to escape the curse of the multitude of innocuous planning committees of past years, action must be taken soon. The 53:13 wishes Faulwell the best of luck in his com- ing tasks. We reserve the right to be less kind later, how- ever, if constructive proposals, like last week‘s interim proposal, for instance, are not soon forthcoming. Applications are now being accepted for the son Editor- ship. The new term will run from second semester thru first Semester, 1966. Applications, which should include a state- ment oi purpose and suggestions for changes in the son, are to be sent to H. Y. Steiner, English. Applications are due Tuesday, November 15. A Review "Gospel" Coming of Strand By JON MEGIBOW It seems that there is a very simple premise upon which all biblical spectacles are pro- duced: excesses of money and special effects are directed proportionate to overall holi- ness and religious intensity. The outstanding products of this genre are C. B. DeMille’s “King oi Kings" and George Stevens‘ “The Greatest Story Ever Told.” Movies of this genre begin with a tinioil nim< bus and end with a Mardi Gras cruciiixion, leaving the viewer With a feeling that the Bible was originally ti Broadway mu- sical. The justification for this method is that through the ef— fects and spectacles the view- er is given a contemporaneous representation that he can more easily assimilate. With Jesus played by an irate Kirk Douglas and Salome played by a near- nude AnnrMargaret the pic- ture’s intention becomes clear. Among the many failings of this genre the worst seems to be that neither the director nor the producer has any faith in the document upon which the movie is based. In radical contrast to these Hollywood fairy tales is a sim~ ple film, The Gospel Accord- ing to St. Matthew,” which will be shown at the Strand Theater November 13716. The director, Pier Paolo Pasolini, was limit- ed by a very tight budget but has turned this to his advan< tage. There are no professional actors and ibe setting, southern Italy, is completely natural. The most obvious advantage is that there is no contradiction between the actor's personality and acting role. Beyond the fact that Christ is played by a Spanish student, Enrique lrazo- qui, the whole film has an air of complete, unpretentious S|m< plicity. Pasollni uses this to his advantage by concentrating on the faces of the actors, showing very little consideration for im- portance of role. The extras, generally farmers and workers, have faces that, in their crude ness and simplicity, span the time barrier that separates the viewer from the action. This naturalism is reinforced by the setting. Pasolini uses ancient slums and near-ruins for the action, but blends these with the characters, giving them a strange beauty. The opening se- quence has Mary framed in the ancient archway of her house and the resulting effect gives an impression of a delicate medieval etching. The Last Scarlet and Black GIINNELL COLLEGE Gylnllell. low- Fo '( .. o, o A" 17' o? A weekly newsvnper published each Friday or the college year by the Grinneu committee on suident Pub- Itcationr. Represented for national idvertlsinz opnal Adveniiing Service, by No- me. College Pub'shei‘l v, RepreSlntouve, 18 East 50th Street, New York, 22, N.Y. 5” usecona clisx posture paid at Grlnnell, lowa. Subscription mess EDITOR . Iusmzss MANAGER NEWS LDI'I’OI ,. mums nil-mil _ col-v EDITOI . snmon EDITORS ASSISTANT To THE zonal: Conn7 momentum rlto 35m yer .omoi ym, rm plld rubioriptioiir. iii-mid ru-un .. Slum will Mmhl nerhey .. Nd] rlrcber ._ ans-u seiner 7am Axolma, Ann Kirscimer Anne rum 4. .nm Sturrir Inoroomrnus .c...__.__ A]; llrnhlrdt, Suun liners: cmcuumoN STA" - nth Delete, Chuck Dmchock sure _.______u_ nul menus-n, Chlrlu smith, Krys Neuman. Rich-rd sonneirov Kathy om Jul Hole, ruul Joul onto. hiantord, mots-m Knmvi nmllluly Thom- John-ton, nonry wnnchn, ill- nun-w, unit. Tho-son. no. Winncy No Problem Seen {endorsing/ii monitored at deft By HAROLD FUSON “In the University or college we have a need for art that leads ~ art that is a little ahead oi the moresiii we always do what the public wonts, we will never progless.” This is how one University oi Iowa pi-oies— sor views the role at the arts in academic life. Dr. Samuel Becker, Profes- sor of Speech and Dramatic Art and Director of TV, Radio and Films, was more vocal than some oi the University or lowa faculty and students the 5&3 talked to last week, but his views were typical. Because of the recent censor- Supper is in a common tavern where the disciples eat stew and sit on the dirt floor. The only dialogue is that at the Bible, without the super- iluous interpretations of a scen- aria The dichotomy between Christ, the son, oi God, and Christ, the man, is handled in an unusual way. Christ‘s actions and speeches are those of the son or God, but the setting and physical appearance or the ac< tor produces the opposite, hu< manistic, effect. As Christ ap- proaches his crucifixion he be- comes more and more short- tempered with everyone around him. The only kindness and love are for the children. The miracles are performed without the typical fanfare and multi- colored lights. They are under. toned by the simplicity oi the language and by the stark, al- most harren cinematography. The question of music is dif- ficult to analyze. Pasolini uses Bach, Pmkotiev, Odetta, and the Congolese “Misa Luha." The only piece that is really out of place is Odetta's “Some times I Feel Like a Motherless Child." But this is because an Italian audience would not be involved with the words, only the Voice. The startling effect of the “Misa Luba,” and the music in general, add quite a bit to the movie. The deficiencies are amazing in their pettlness. 0n the whole the cinematography is quite good, except for the excessive use of the telephoto lens. Yet, there are points where shots are just sloppy — the camera skipped a face and then re— turned quickly, like an uncon- scious comic duubledake. This is also true of the editing, al- most always superb, but care- less at points. Another draw- back is not the fault of the film. Inevitably when a movie is dubbed rather than presented with sub-titles something is lost. This is especially true in a film whose action is so slow-paced and methodical, where there is little dialogue. This film was shown two weeks ago to religious leaders tram both college and town communities. Their opinion was generally favorable but don’t use that as an excuse for not seeing this film. It is worth- while to anyone who is sick or u bearded Charlton Heston throwing plastic tablets from the mountainside. ship of a Grillnell student pro- dilation oi Eugene Ionesco’s play, The Chairs, the son has been exploring the problem oi censorship in all areas of aca- demic life. in general, we iound students at Iowa had little [ear that any of their serious work might be censored by University oiiicials. The faculty indicated that limits on students' work were consist- tent with practice in the pl‘oieS< sional world of art, drama and photography. Gate Keeper Needed Asked about the Grinnell inci- deni, Dr. Becker said, “All oi us are against the principle or censorship.” However, he added, “Somebody has to be a kind of gatekeeper,” He said the main criteria such a gatekeeper must act upon is taste. He added, “I mean artistic not moral taste." Dl'. Becker said it would be difficult to say just who the gatekeeper should be, but “i don’t think a university presi- dent can put himseli in the posi- tion oi censor. The president must hire faculty with artistic judgment.” Ii ihe president is too oiten at odds with his faculty, Dr. Becker said, ”He has to get rid of them and get somebody else. How can a president who is not an artist, who is not a theater man, judge what is good and bad." Asked about the impact of questionable works of art on the college's image in the outside world, Dr. Becker said, "Anyone in an administrative position has to be extremely careful about judging a work for the wrong reasons. it a production is ar- tistically honest, even if it isn't the best public relations, the administration must go along with it. “I think obviously an admins lstrator risks a great deal in providing this sort of freedom. It takes a lot of guts to do it. It has always been recognized that this ldnd or policy gets you in trouble sometimes. Bil! in the truly great colleges and uni- versities this policy has been upheld." Part of Leadership Dr. Becker indicated that this risk was part of the college’s role as a leader. He said "Part oi the administrator’s job is to educate the public about what a college or university is, what kind of environment it takes to nurture creativity.” To its own students the col- lege has a similar responsibili- ty, Dr. Becker added. The col- lege must challenge and broad- en ihe student's tastes. He said. “At a place like Grinnell, Iowa, and Iowa City, Iowa, it is very important to jar students into thinking about things they never thought about. We’ve got to create an environment that makes it virtually impossible to have the same atmosphere that they had back home.” All of the persons we talked to in Iowa City expressed geri- erat approval of their own ad- ministration’s attitude .ioward artistic freedom. Dr. Becker said, “I think there is as great a ireetlom here as l‘ve seen, anti that is one reason the arts flourish here. This freedom is very important.” Dr. DaVld School, Professor of TeradiorFilm, corroborated iliis view of the University of Iowa. “This is the most liberai school I’ve taught at,” he said. ln general, he continued, “the administration has had a clear attitude toward censorship. They put their confidence in the Staff.” Students Satisfied Students working in the Uni- versity art studios also indi- cated censorship was no prob lem at Iowa, They acted sur- prised that anyone was even concerned about me problem. Most of them did recall, how- ever, incidents in which artistic displays oi questionable moral implications were removed from public showing. in all cases, however, the displays were tak- en down only temporarily at times when a great number of outsiders were on campus. One graduate assistant said no thought this was “silly”, but he seemed unconcerned about it. To give an idea of the limits of the artistic freedom at Iowa, John Schulze, Professor of Art (Photography), told the 88:3, “We don’t usualiy permit hu‘ man genitalia to be shown in public photographic displays but there have been exception to this.” He added, “We do things now we couldn’t have done two years ago.” Both photography and art stu- dents use nude female models and nearly nude male models. The models are paid up to $2.50 per hour and are drawn from both undergraduate and gradu- ate students Confidence Important In setting the limits Dr. Beck. er again stressed the importance of the administration’s confi- dence in its facility. He said, ”I think If is very unfortunate ii a faculty mem~ ber acts on beliefs other than his own — that is from outside influences. Then you are really in trouble." Dr. Becker feels a kind of "mutual respect between facul- ty, studentsI and administration” is necessary for a college or university to operate well. Dr. Becker stressed artistic integrity on the part oi the stu- dent in preserving this mutual respect. He said, “I feel that any honest work the students want to do, they are free to do at Iowa." In respect to producing works which go strongiy against the standard mores, Dr. Becker said, ubright students are obvi- ously more trouble than stupid students. It is much easier if you have students who accept anything — but how dreadful!” Perhaps, Dr. Schaal suggested, “the surest way to cause trou- ble is to censor something." It is when students get upset with what they feel is unfair censor- ship that newspaper stories he- gin to appear.