LSU Science Café: The Political Utility of Hating Movies

Wondering how dismissing or rejecting a film might be useful to democracy? Join us for LSU Science Café to explore the repercussions of declaring “I hate this movie!”

Aesthetic judgment involves enumerating the qualities of an aesthetic object and then rendering an account. But what is particularly striking about this process is the way our judgments feel as though they’ve sprung up from some place deep inside of us, when actually, they’re usually made in the context of other judgments. In short, judging movies is a social process that does not feel like one. We judge in the light of other judgments, but we do not feel as if we are. Hating a movie, or passing strong, negative aesthetic judgment, brings this dynamic out into the open and into the social sphere, where our judgments become available for scrutiny. Tonight’s speaker argues our declared hate for movies actually can yield a familiarity with difference and help diminish polarization. So, come explore the political potentials of cinema, where judgment is finally set free to be tested!

Kalling Heck is an assistant professor of screen arts and English at LSU who examines the relationship between aesthetics and politics by exploring everyday uses of media. His work connects global cinema, film theory, and political theory with a particular emphasis on the uses of cinema to democracy. His first book, After Authority: Global Art Cinema and Political Transition, was published by Rutgers University Press.

Photo credit: Kalling Heck

LSU Science Café is presented in partnership with Campus Federal Credit Union and WRKF.

The event is open to the public and advance registration through Eventbrite is recommended.

Please have your registration ticket printed or readily available on your electronic device upon arrival.

Doors open at 5:00 PM. Event begins at 6:00 PM.

Host or Publisher LSU Office of Research & Economic Development