(English text to follow)
師走もはや中日、2017年も残りわずかとなりました。
今年はテンプル大学ジャパンキャンパス（TUJ）にとって、35周年という大切な年でした。この秋学期には、2年後にTUJのキャンパス移転が決まっている昭和女子大で開催された35周年記念シンポジウムはじめ、さまざまなイベントが開催され、去る12月4日は周年記念を締めくくる「Alumni Film Festival（卒業生映画祭）」が行われました。今回は、学生ライターのコミュニケーション学科3年ケイリ・ハミルトン－モウレイラさんのレポートでお届けします。（本文は英語です）
by Keili Hamilton-Maureira (junior Communications Studies major)
On December 4 the Communications Studies major of TUJ held an Alumni Film Screening event, part of a series of events celebrating TUJ’s 35th anniversary. Curated by professors Karl Neubert, Irene Herrera and Ronald Carr, the event featured a series of films made by and about TUJ alumni as a project pilot. Perhaps it will be picked up as a promotion tool for TUJ and extended to include other majors in the future.
Ronald Carr and Karl Neubert gave opening remarks. “We are quite proud to have some [films] that were shot outside of Japan,” said Karl Neubert, the producer of the project. “It’s neat that alumni can look back and reflect on what they learned at TUJ and see that they did more than just study.”
The Alumni Film Screening event began with an introduction of the films by Karl Neubert, which outlined the documentaries and movies to be shown. Dean Stronach and various alumni and graduates also spoke, praising TUJ and the unique global experience it offers its students.
Students in the audience laughed as they recognized peers, professors and locations featured in the documentaries. TUJ alumni filmmakers included Gleb Torubarov, JR Lipartito and Simone Goldsmith. Each explained how their experiences at TUJ led to their later professional success. They advised current and prospective students to work hard, think globally, and appreciate professors.
During a break, I had a chance to speak one-on-one with Karl Neubert, who, reflecting on what we had just watched, said, “there were some really great moments and great advice for current students. I love when students graduate and end up having a great life, because it shows … school propels you forward.”
After the break, three original films by TUJ alumni were shown. The first was a documentary by Gleb Torubarov entitled “Bound in Beat,” – a touching profile of an aspiring beatboxer from China named Li Erkun. The film fit the themes of the event, sending a message about reaching for your dreams. The second film, directed by Amarachi Nwosu, was called “Black in Tokyo”, and discussed the presence of and attitude towards black people and culture in Tokyo, along with ideas about globalization. The last film shown was a horror film directed by TUJ alumnus JR Lipartito. It featured great special effects, and while it was a period piece, it included some interesting sci-fi elements.
Applause erupted as the event came to an end, with some additional words from Ronald Carr and Karl Neubert. There was nostalgia in the air, and you could hear the guests chatting fondly about the films shown as they filed out of the Parliament.
<student writer> Keili Hamilton-Maureira
Keili is a Junior Communications Studies major at Temple University, Japan Campus. When she is not writing or working, she can usually be found watching reruns of American talk shows or telling her husband to stand still while she draws him.
テンプルこぼれ話 