Let There Be Light

In Honor of Robert Sklar
Let There Be Light: A Celebration of Moving Image Preservation

Event Photos

A screening and panel discussion of John Huston's Let There Be Light, a 1946 documentary chronicling the emotional trauma of returning WW2 soldiers. Originally banned by the US Army, the film was recently selected for preservation by the Library of Congress for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". A representative from the National Archives will introduce a restored version of the film and a panel of scholars will evaluate its historical significance. The late Professor Robert Sklar was instrumental in securing the preservation of this work. This event, held in honor of Bob, will mark the official dedication of the Robert Sklar Scholarships.

Presented as part of the Moving Image Archiving and Preservation program's 10-year anniversary celebration.

Schedule

1:00 pm Introduction
Welcome: Mary Schmidt Campbell, Dean, Tisch School of the Arts

Announcement of Robert Sklar Scholarships: Richard Allen, Chair, NYU Cinema Studies

Remarks on Robert Sklar and Let There Be Light: Adrienne Harris

Robert Sklar Video Interviews

MIAP 10, Celebrating a Decade of Moving Image Archiving and Preservation: Howard Besser, Director, MIAP

2:00 pm Let There Be Light
The Preservation of Let There Be Light: Criss Kovac, Supervisory Motion Picture Preservation Specialist, National Archives and Records Administration

Screening of the restored Let There Be Light (dir. John Huston, 1946, 58m)

3:30 - 4:00 pm Coffee Break, Cinema Studies Lounge

4:00-6:00 pm Reflections on Let There Be Light
Panel Chair: Chris Straayer, NYU Cinema Studies

“Shedding Light on Let There Be Light: Introducing Huston and his War-Time Work”
Dana Polan, NYU Cinema Studies

“Undesirable: Rehabilitating Soldiers in the Post-World War II Moment”
Hannah Zeavin, NYU Media, Culture, and Communication

“Paralysis and Logorrhea, Observation and Reenactment: Let There Be Light and its Orphaned Opposite(s)”
Noah Tsika, CUNY Queens College, Media Studies

“Play It Again”
Jonathan Kahana, UC Santa Cruz, Film and Digital Media, Director of the Center for Documentary Arts and Research

Audience Discussion

6:00 pm Dedication of Robert Sklar Scholarships
Reception to follow in the Riese Student Lounge, Tisch School of the Arts lobby