From 1930 to 1955, in 23 feature films, Max Ophuls established himself as one of the great directors in world cinema. Obsessed with fin de siecle Vienna and the Belle Epoque, Ophuls adored the past. His films are layered with richly textured literary allusions, edged with irony and a trenchant wit. Many of them depict tragic romances, focussing on the heroic suffering of their female protagonists. Above all else, Ophuls is remembered for his sensuous cinematic style: his fluid long takes, his mobile camera delicately caressing the opulent decor of his lavish sets.

Last year, the centennial year of his birth, several European conferences celebrated the cinematic legacy of Max Ophuls. This year, the first Ophuls conference ever to be held in the United States will take place in Williamsburg. For three days, many of the world's leading Ophuls scholars will meet at the Kimball Theatre to present and discuss new historical findings, new cinematic theories, and new critical assessments of Ophuls' work. Their deliberations will be accompanied by evening screenings of several Ophuls films. These screenings are free to the public. (Tickets are required and can be obtained from the Kimball's box office.)

Schedule of Public Screenings

Conference Schedule
(Conference events are only open to conference attendees. The fee for attending the conference is $95. For information about registering, please call the Department of Modern Languages, 221-3635.)

Max Ophuls Beyond Borders is sponsored by the Kimball Theatre, the College of William & Mary, the Goethe Institute, and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).

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