Special Guest Scheduled to Appear
Greta Gerwig's Oscar-winning adaptation of the literary masterpiece, featuring an incredibly stacked cast. Q&A on the role of ensemble casting to follow.
Greta Gerwig's adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's classic novel is a sensitive, smart, and modern retelling of the timeless coming-of-age story of the March sisters. Boasting a stellar cast including Laura Dern, Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlan, Meryl Streep, and Timothée Chalamet, the film was nominated for six Academy Awards and won for Best Costume Design. [135 min; drama, romance; English]
This screening will be followed by a conversation on the role of ensemble casting in film between casting director Betsy Fippinger and Susan Kelly of The Media School.
Betsy Fippinger has trained under some of the best casting directors in New York, including Meredith Tucker, Ellen Lewis, Ellen Chenoweth, and Shayna Markowitz. She’s worked on projects directed by Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Bo Burnham, Greg Mottola, and Lynn Shelton. She won an Artios Award for her work as the casting associate on the pilot episode of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and her upcoming films include Sarah Friedland’s Familiar Touch and Nicholas Colia’s Griffin in Summer starring Melanie Lynskey, Owen Teague, and Kathryn Newton. Before entering casting, Betsy worked at HBO and the William Morris Agency and graduated with a BFA in Film from Wesleyan University in 2003. But most of what she knows is from being IU Cinema’s first intern in 2010.
Susan Kelly, PhD, is an award-winning distinguished teacher, mentor, story consultant, film producer, screenwriter, and leader of international study courses. Dr. Kelly has taught screenwriting and film courses at Indiana University for more than 20 years and has been privileged to see former students' work produced by Disney, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, FX, and Fox; screened at Sundance; win awards at South by Southwest; and be nominated for an Oscar.
"A gorgeous and very warm film…. What makes this version impressive is that it brings a different perspective without losing the magic of the novel." — Victoria Luxford, BBC
"Little Women is the best kind of Hollywood film: thoughtful yet escapist, sophisticated yet accessible, expertly crafted and deeply felt. The performances are all top notch—Ronan and Pugh, especially, breathe new life into their characters." — Katie Rife, The A.V. Club
"Like any good novelist and every great filmmaker, Gerwig isn’t afraid to let her audience work a little. She trusts our intelligence and our curiosity, and also her own command of the medium." — A.O. Scott, The New York Times
This program is generously supported by the Roberta and S. James Sherman Inspiring Conversations Fund.
Any film screened at IU Cinema may contain content that viewers find sensitive or upsetting. Visit our Audience Advisories page to learn more.
