Lost Films: The Ides of March

Beware the Ides of March! This time we aren't talking about Caesar's demise, but rather the movie.

Directed by George Clooney, The Ides of March was adapted from the script of Farragut North. The main character, Stephen Meyers, is the campaign manager for Mike Morris, the governor of Ohio who is trying to become president. Meyers experiences the many intricacies of politics, as well as learns about Morris' secrets that could end his run for presidency.

The Ides of March stars actors Ryan Gosling, George Clooney, Paul Giamatti, and Philip Seymour Hoffman. It was screened in different film festivals throughout the summer of 2011, and was shown in theaters starting in October.  However, it has not yet been released on DVD. This political thriller lasts 101 minutes, is full of drama throughout a political race to the White House, and is rated R due to strong language.

Tim Robbins, President of SAB, said, "We chose The Ides of March for a few reasons: its relevance to both our popular culture and time, its artistic merit, and the truth it speaks, which can be easily overlooked."

"The director, George Clooney," continued Robbins, "comments on how the story is of ambition.  He questions, ‘Does the end justify the means?  At what price do we sell our souls?'  When we're faced with obstacles, do we tackle them based on our values and motives or only on our goals?"

Robbins added that the goal of SAB is to "create a space where students can begin thinking and growing in their faith as they learn to reconcile their pursuit of a secular vocation with their personal Christian faith." With The Ides of March, viewers will have the opportunity to think about different parts of the movie and relate it to both their lives and their faith.

Robbins encourages viewers to think critically about what they see throughout the movie.

"You might cringe and be offended at times throughout the film," he said, "but please stop and think about why you are being offended.  Share it with someone; have a conversation."

SAB will be showing The Ides of March on Friday and Saturday, January 13th and 14th, at 8 p.m. in Parmer Cinema. Tickets are $1 for students and $3 for guests, and they can only be purchased outside the theater starting Friday. Concessions will also be sold during the screenings.