In collaboration with Vassar College’s conference “Quiet as It’s Kept: Passing Subjects, Contested Identities” and Professor Mia Mask, we present a short series of films exploring themes around racial fluidity, impersonation, and assimilation.

“[Shadows is] so far ahead of all Hollywood and independent films that once you’ve seen [it] you can no longer look at the official cinema: you know that American cinema can be more sensitive and intelligent.” (Jonas Mekas, Village Voice)

Set within a community of artists, musicians, and intellectuals, Shadows follows three African-American siblings, two of whom can pass for white, as they pursue careers, romances, and a sense of purpose in New York City. The feature directorial debut of legendary filmmaker and actor John Cassavetes (A Woman Under the Influence, Mikey and Nicky), Shadows is notable for its subtle and poignant observations of race and bohemia and for performances that were largely improvised. Its premiere in 1959 marked a watershed moment in the evolution of independent cinema.

presented in 35mm