Filmbar screening of David Lynch's "The Elephant Man" (1980) at Research and Publication Centre (RPC) on Friday, April 3, 2026 at 5:00 pm.
In Victorian London, Dr Frederick Treves with the London Hospital comes across a circus sideshow attraction run by a man named Bytes. In actuality, the creature on display is indeed a man called "The Elephant Man", 21-year-old John Merrick, who has several physical deformities, including an oversized and disfigured skull, and an oversized, disfigured right shoulder. Bytes, his 'owner', only wants whatever he can get economically by presenting Merrick as a freak. Treves manages to bring Merrick under his care at the hospital, not without several of its own obstacles, including being questioned by those in authority since Merrick cannot be cured. Treves initially believes Bytes' assertion that mute Merrick is an imbecile, but ultimately learns that Merrick can speak and is a well-read and articulate man. As news of Merrick hits the London newspapers, he becomes a celebrated curiosity among London's upper class, including famed actress Mrs Kendal. Merrick is being treated much more humanely, but are Treves' actions a further exploitation of him? And as he becomes more famous, others try to get their two-cents worth from him; he remains a curiosity and a freak to most, including Bytes, who has since lost his meal ticket.
The screening will be followed by any informal discussion over tea.
Address: Research and Publication Centre (RPC), 2nd Floor, 65 Main Boulevard Gulberg, Lahore (next to Standard Chartered Bank, above Indesign showroom). Lift is operational.
Rashed Rahman
Editor, Pakistan Monthly Review (PMR) (link: pakistanmonthlyreview.com)
Director, Research and Publication Centre (RPC) (on Facebook)
Email: rashed.rahman1@gmail.com
Cells: 0302 8482737 & 0333 4216335
No comments:
Post a Comment