By Elizabeth Weinstein '02
Michael, Class of 1975
From the Class of 1973, 1974 and 1975 Reunion Dinner…
From the Class of 1973, 1974 and 1975 Reunion Dinner…
Steve, Class of 1974, and Peter, Class if 1974
Betty, Class of 1974
More on-the-spot interviews
Throughout Commencement/Reunion Weekend, I stopped alumni walking around campus and asked them what, if any, impact the current economic crisis had on their decision to attend Reunion this year. Those interiews will be posted shortly.
My Q&A with John Scheinfeld '75, transcribed
Q: You screened The U.S. vs John Lennon at Oberlin College before, in 2008. What was that experience like?
A: I’m so passionate about this film and I’m always fascinated by how people respond to it. To me, it was fun to be in a place where there are really smart people, because I know they have really smart thoughts and reactions to it. So I showed it to a student group of maybe 50 or 60 people, and it was great. They asked really smart, thoughtful questions. That was really exciting for me.
Q: Have you been back for other Reunions?
A: Yeah – I’ve been back. I made a lot of my closest friends here at Oberlin, so I come back every so often. But it had been a while. I came back for my 15th Reunion, and then I was here to speak in 2005 and 2008. I seem to get here every few years.
Q: How has Oberlin influenced your filmmaking?
A: I would say it has in several key ways. One is, it’s made me want to make something very smart, thoughtful and adult, that’s about something, because when we were all here, we were all very used to political issues and activist issues and serious issues, and I think that’s rubbed off on me. Even if I’m doing (a film) now about baseball, for example, there’s something serious and thoughtful about it. I’m not saying, ‘Okay, so many double plays did you hit into?’ … It’s about ‘why’ – the psychology of a Cubs fan. How does that work? (Oberlin)’s also made me very independent. I think Oberlin people in general are very independent. Not only has that influenced the way I do my job, but it’s also influenced the kinds of things I am interested in making documentaries about. I’m very drawn to stories about people who are very independent and go their own way.
Q: You have a strong background in making biopics. What about this genre appeals most to you?
A: The thing about biopics that appeals to me most is rolling up my sleeves and getting my hands into what makes somebody tick. Why are they the way they are? Why has their art emerged from them the way it did? How does that all work? … To me there is nothing more interesting than real life – to try and explain why real life unfolds the way it does.
Q: What message do you hope people will take away from The U.S. vs. John Lennon?
A: There’s an old Hollywood saying that if you want a message, use Western Union (laughs). That movies should be entertaining – not deliver a message. And my feeling is, I think you can be entertaining and deliver a message. But if you noticed, I have no narrator in The U.S. vs. John Lennon, and I’m not telling the audience what to think… I much prefer to present the story and let people decide for themselves.
But now that we’re a few years out, I think (the overall message) is the importance of freedom of speech, the importance to watch over your federal government to make sure they are not abusing the power we have given them, …and to safeguard our freedom.
After his screening of The U.S. vs John Lennon, filmmaker and Obie alum John Scheinfeld (above)sat down with me for a brief video interview. After many unsuccessful attempts to post said video interview, I’ve decided to transcribe it and post it above. - Elizabeth
Congratulations Class of 2009!
Keep in touch!
Last, but not least, can you find the bunny ears?
Oberlin College Alumni Association | Bosworth Hall | 50 West Lorain Street, Oberlin, Ohio 44074 | (440) 775-8692 | Contact Us | alumni@oberlin.edu
