In the spring of 1940, French director Marcel Pagnol began working on his film The Well-Digger’s Daughter. That same year the northern half of France fell under German occupation. Although Pagnol’s work was forced to take a three- month intermission,that same year in December, The Well-Digger’s Daughter was released in France’s unoccupied southern zone. Whether or not Pagnol anticipated the Nazi regime’s rule when he undertook making the Well-Digger’s Daughter remains unclear; regardless, the premiere of this sentimental drama could not have come at a better time for the dispirited French. The hyperbolized story of The Well-Digger’s Daughter offered temporary relief when the forward-thinking nation of France had ... Read More »

Friday, November 3rd MFAH will screen the 1966 Czechoslovakian film, Daisies. Written and directed by Vera Chytilova, Daises is memorialized as a touchstone piece in the film/art movement, Nova Vlna. And coming to us just three days shy of Election Day, Daisies fits nicely into our current political hysteria. Daisies follows two naive girls, Marie I and Marie II, after they decide to cause mischief and upset common society. From indulging in the fruits of The Tree of Knowledge to engaging in a provocative relationship with a male butterfly collector and crashing a 1920’s dance club, Chytilova intends for the whimsy misdemeanors of Marie I and Marie ... Read More »

By: Meghan Hendley We like to shout about it and other cities around the nation are starting to take notice: Houston is a playground for the talented and Culture Pilot is sponsoring a month-long celebration highlighting our innovative city. The month-long celebration, entitled COHouston, focuses on a different theme each week including: maker/craft, film & multimedia, design & innovation, food & well-being, and, last but not least, arts & music.  Intellectual wonderment and creativity are encouraged through various events held in tandem throughout the city. This month’s focus isn’t just about celebration but it also aims to raise questions about ... Read More »

Los Valseuses, or Going Places as it’s called in English, will appear at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston on October 26th. During the 1970’s when the film originally showed up in French box offices, the precocious country- like much of the western world- was swept away in revolution. Two of the countries most admired politicians, President DeGaulle and President Pompidou, who salvaged France from the destruction following WWII, had both passed away by the mid 70‘s. France, therefore, faced a deficit in political sages, opening the door for inadequate policy makers. While these former presidents breathed their last, workers took to the streets protesting ... Read More »

By: Erin Dyer In 1969, Houston art catalysts John and Dominique de Menil founded the Rice Media Center and the Rice Museum, known as the “Art Barn,” both of which still remain an important and inspirational part of the university’s campus. Upon formation of the Media Center and Museum, the de Menil couple worked with a goal to unite the community by way of education, collaboration, and communication between people of different backgrounds and varying circumstances. Rice University now proudly presents Raid the Archive: The de Menil Days at Rice. This exhibition, curated by John Sparagana and Katia Zavistovski, is ... Read More »

My life changed forever when I was fourteen. It was one those golden October afternoons in Texas when a careless stroll through the neighborhood is comparable to walking hand in hand alongside a mystic giant in some distant apple orchard (for those who dream). I was swinging on the back porch thinking of Eden when my sister asked me if I wanted to go to a local sushi bar. My world was never the same after that day. This may sound a little dramatic, but sushi fanatics will get it. Our love for raw fish may not be as innocent as we care to ... Read More »

In a time when Women’s Suffrage is often misconstrued as woman’s suffering among a discouraging population of high school students; Fox News declares that women have been liberated from all past discriminations; and churches obstinately declare that Eve gave Adam an apple rather than a fig; the problems facing women are either banished as petty and hokey, or neglected entirely. Luckily, there are filmmaker to make these issues digestible and prevalent via America’s favorite means of entertainment. On September 25th, Rice University will be screening the documentary Miss Representation. Miss Representation explores the social phenomenon of the picturesque women in mainstream media, ... Read More »

By: Erin Dyer The MFAH Core Exhibition Program presents “There is no archive in which nothing gets lost,” with the opening reception– free to the public– to be held on Friday, September 7, from 6 to 8PM at the Glassell School of Art. The exhibition will be on display from opening night through November 25, 2025. Curated by Sally Frater, fellow of Core Critical Studies, the exhibit will feature three video pieces by Sonia Boyce in collaboration with Ain Bailey, Wangechi Mutu, and Lorna Simpson. Each of the featured videos inquire an investigation of “place” as explored through depictions of ... Read More »

By: Meghan Hendley Photos by Mason Rankin Living in a concrete jungle means one is always scaling miles of gray highways, constantly soaring over sky high ramps, and as usual tapping our fingers on the steering wheel while we are stuck in bumper to bumper traffic. Glazed over from these perpetual sites, drivers may not notice the subtle shadows and lines that mimic contemporary art that can be found from freeways and major interstate intersections. Artist Mason Rankin, born and raised in Baytown Texas, was struck by the curves and twists of these massive road structures and decided to develop ... Read More »

  While local artist Shawn Travis may be known to many for his band 1,000 Cranes, he is also a filmmaker with three films under his belt.   Tantrika, his third film, debuts Friday May 27th at Rice Media Center.  We contacted him to discuss the movie. FPH – Tell us about the film? Travis - Tantrika is the story of seven upper middle class WASP’s who are part of an online meetup group which has different meet up objectives each month with different members attending, all of the meetings put the attendees way out of their element. This month they ... Read More »