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Film Imitation of Life (1959)

  • Imitation_event_full

Douglas Sirk's melodramas are visual vortexes of societal and domestic issues, spun to heartbreaking effect. For his final Hollywood outing, Imitation of Life, Sirk rakes female disquiets — material and maternal — for a doubled-edged take on class and race. Kneading over-the-top emotion with a masterful hand, Imitation captivates viewers with cascades of color and a sob-story that focuses on the friendship between aspiring thespian and single mother Lora (Lana Turner) and her black maid Annie (Juanita Moore). Sirk imbues everything from housewares to suburban hairdos with ironic undertones, as housekeeper Annie struggles under the burden of raising Lora's forlorn child and her own discontent, light-skinned daughter.

– Jason Jude Chan

Note: Professor Jennifer Brody will introduce the film and lead a post-screening discussion.