Did you know that Kanopy, Champlain College Library’s streaming media service, offers instant access to hundreds of films in the Criterion Collection? That means that Champlain users can watch some of the greatest films in world cinema for coursework or for personal development through the library.
Not sure where to begin? Champlain College librarians and library staff have put together recommendations of some of their favorite Criterion Collection titles.
La Haine.
Directed by Mathieu Kassovitz, performances by Vincent Cassel, Hubert Koundé, and Säid Taghmaoui, 1995.
“One of my all-time favorite films and probably my favorite French film. It follows three young adults throughout one day in the aftermath of a riot. All three are children of immigrants — a Jew, an Arab, and an African — living in the poor multi-ethnic Parisian suburbs (la banlieue). Basically it’s about the mistreatment of “outsiders” by the French authorities and the unique ways in which the outsiders fight back. It’s filmed in black and white which lends it a noir feeling, but the soundtrack is 90s hip-hop, so the juxtaposition is really cool.”
-Sophie
PlayTime.
Directed by Jacques Tati, performance by Jacques Tati, 1967.
“I love this kinda-silent comedy. Elaborate sets, intricately choreographed scenes, befuddled American tourists — what’s not to like?”
-Sean
Summertime.
Directed by David Lean, performances by Katharine Hepburn, Rossano Brazzi, and Isa Miranda, 1955.
“Katharine Hepburn plays a single Midwestern woman who, after saving up for years, is finally on her dream vacation in Venice. This film features a nuanced, Oscar-nominated performance from Hepburn in which she demonstrates the desire, loneliness, anxiety, and agency of an individual at the midpoint of their life. Venice, meanwhile, has perhaps never looked more vibrant and inviting than in this Technicolor production.”
-Nick
Throne of Blood.
Directed by Akira Kurosawa, performances by Toshiro Mifune, Isuzu Yamada, and Takashi Shimura, 1957.
“Macbeth set in Feudal Japan… need I say more? Spectacular.”
-Jes
None of these titles catch your eye? Kanopy offers instant access to more than 400 films from the Criterion Collection for Champlain College users. Browse the full slate of offerings and let us your favorite!