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Charlie Chaplin films in the spotlight at summer conference

Published: 15 July 2005

The University of Southampton is joining forces with the British Film Institute and London College of Communication, University of the Arts London, to present a major conference on the work and worldwide cultural influence of Charles Chaplin.

Researchers, academics and archivists from both sides of the Atlantic will gather at London College of Communication to discuss Chaplin's British music hall roots and his impact and influence on film, the arts and modern culture. (21-24 July).

"Chaplin's image has been an enduring symbol for the twentieth century. His life, art and influence offer a thought-provoking site of convergence for film history, theatre history, literary modernism and the social and cultural history of everyday life," said Dr Michael Hammond of the School of Humanities at the University of Southampton. "Through screenings of newly-restored material, events, talks and discussion, the conference will offer a number of perspectives on Chaplin's work."

A highlight will be a screening programme of the latest Chaplin Keystone restorations produced by the bfi National Film and Television Artchive, Cineteca di Bologna and Lobster Films. Archivists will explain more about this ambitious restoration project.

The conference's opening night reception will be at Wilton's Music Hall in the east end of London. Scenes from Lord Attenborough's 1986 film Chaplin were shot there and it was in the finals of the BBC TV series Restoration.

There will be a free open air screening of Shoulder Arms and Chaplin-related rarities in the grounds of the Imperial War Museum on Saturday evening (23 July).

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Notes for editors

  1. The University of Southampton is a leading UK teaching and research institution with a global reputation for leading-edge research and scholarship. The University has around 20,000 students and nearly 5,000 staff. Its annual turnover is in the region of £270 million.
  2. University of the Arts London is the first dedicated arts institution in the UK to achieve university status. The University brings five of the world's most famous art and design colleges. They are:
    * Camberwell College of Arts
    * Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design (incorporating Drama Centre and Byam Shaw School of Art)
    * Chelsea College of Art and Design
    * London College of Communication (formerly London College of Printing)
    * London College of Fashion (incorporating Cordwainers).
    The Colleges have produced many of the greatest names in art, design, communications, fashion and performing arts, including: Anish Kapoor, Sir Terence Conran, John Galliano, Ralph Fiennes, Sarah Lucas, Gavin Turk, Stella McCartney, Gilbert and George, Antony Gormley, Pierce Brosnan, Rankin, Jefferson Hack, Mike Leigh, Malcolm McLaren, Colin Firth, Jane Root, Rebekah Wade, John Hegarty, Peter Kindersley and Tom Hunter.
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