The Arts Society, Nerja
produced by Sam Spiegel and
stars Peter O’Toole in the title
role. The film is widely considered
one of the greatest and most
influential films in the history of
cinema. The dramatic score by
Maurice Jarre and the Super
Panavision 70 cinematography by
Freddie Young are also highly
acclaimed. The film was
nominated for ten Oscars at the
35th Academy Awards in 1963; it
won seven in total. It also won the
Golden Globe Award for Best
Motion Picture - Drama and the
BAFTA Awards for Best Film and
Outstanding British Film.
Lawrence of Arabia – Tortured Hero of
Troubled Times
Tuesday February 12, 2019
The Cultural Centre (Casa Cultura) Calle Granada, Nerja.
6pm (Doors open at 5pm tickets only available on the night).
Visitors are most welcome. Entrance €10 (Members of other
The Arts Societies €5). A full illustrated lecture in English by
Neil Faulkner PhD FSA. Sponsored by DeCotta Law.
On the basis of sensational new evidence from archaeological
fieldwork, Neil will contrast the legend of Lawrence of Arabia
with the true story of what happened in the famous desert war
of 1916 to 1918. Is the legend a myth? Was Lawrence, as some
claim, a liar and a charlatan? Or does the legend reflect reality?
Was he, in fact, a brilliant military commander and a sincere
advocate of the Arab national cause? ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ is an
early 20th century instance of celebrity culture. Neil will
analyse the invention and re-invention of the legend from 1919
onwards through memoirs, photos, films, paintings,
biographies, and documentaries.
The film depicts Lawrence’s experiences in the Arabian
Peninsula during World War I, in particular his attacks on
Aqaba and Damascus and his involvement in the Arab National
Council. Its themes include Lawrence’s emotional struggles
with the personal violence inherent in war, his own identity,
and his divided allegiance between his native Britain and its
army and his new-found comrades within the Arabian desert
tribes. As well as O’Toole, the film stars Alec Guinness, Jack
Hawkins, Anthony Quinn, Omar Sharif, Anthony Quayle,
Claude Rains and Arthur Kennedy.
He will then contrast
the legend with the
biography of the man
himself, focusing on
key aspects of his early
years and his character
which equipped him to
play – or to seem to
play – a particular role
in the Arab Revolt of
1916 to 1918. In addition, Neil will review the numerous well-
preserved archaeological remains of the conflict, mainly along
the line of the former Hijaz Railway, have been the subject of a
ten-year programme of field research led by Neil and his close
colleague Professor Nick Saunders. Neil will summarise the
key findings. He will also offer a new narrative and analysis of
the war based on the archaeological evidence, leading to a new
assessment both of Lawrence’s role and achievements, and of
the relationship between art and reality in the creation of
‘celebrity’.
About Neil Faulkner
Educated at King’s College Cambridge and Institute of
Archaeology UCL. Works as lecturer, writer, archaeologist and
occasional broadcaster. Research Fellow, University of Bristol.
Editor, Military History Monthly. Director, Sedgeford
Historical and Archaeological Research Project. Director, Great
Arab Revolt Project. Author of The Decline and Fall of Roman
Britain, Apocalypse, Hidden Treasure, Rome: Empire of the
Eagles, and The Ancient Greek Olympics: a visitor’s guide.
Author of forthcoming Lawrence of Arabia’s War. Major TV
appearances include Channel 4’s Time Team, BBC2’s
Timewatch, Channel Five’s Boudica Revealed and Sky
Atlantic’s The British.
In 1991, the film was deemed “culturally, historically, or
aesthetically significant” and selected for preservation in the
United States Library of Congress National Film Registry. In
1998, the American Film Institute placed it fifth on their 100
Years...100 Movies list, and seventh on their 2007 updated list.
In 1999, the British Film Institute named it the third greatest
British film of all time.
Othello - More Than Just The Moor
(A Member’s Talk) Tuesday February 26, 2019
11.30am (Doors open at 11am and tickets only available on the
night). The Cultural Centre c/Granada, Nerja. Visitors are most
welcome. Entrance €5. A lecture by Penni Wilson
Shakespeare wrote his play “Othello” over 400 years ago, yet
the world’s fascination with the character has not diminished.
It is a tragedy as relevant today, with it’s themes of racism,
hatred and betrayal, as it was then. “Othello” continues to be
successful as a play (of course), but to date it has also inspired
two operas, three ballets and at least 27 films. But who was
Othello? What is it about him that fascinates us so much? Is he
a murderer - a wife killer - or a victim? What happened to the
deep love he felt for Desdemona? Did he actually exist or did
Shakespeare simply make him up? If so, why? This lecture will
try to make some sense of it all and offers an insight into the
world of “Othello”. It contains live readings, video recordings,
music and interviews.
About Penni Wilson
Penni Wilson was a college lecturer at Bradford before she
retired to live in Spain. Since then she has been involved in
many of the local clubs and activities, including being
Membership Secretary for NADFAS (now the Arts Society) for
many years. She now continues to be involved with the
amateur dramatics group, the Nerja Players, with whom she
was also a presenter for many years on their weekly radio
broadcast.
Lawrence of Arabia – the original film
Tuesday February 19, 2019
5pm (Doors open at 4pm, tickets only available on the night).
Visitors are most welcome. Donation €5 including a glass of
wine. Sponsored by Currencies Direct.
Lawrence of Arabia is a 1962 epic historical drama film based
on the life of T.E. Lawrence. It was directed by David Lean,
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