Are you "Film Buff" enough? We invite you to participate in
THE CINEMA CHALLENGE: THE SONY CHALLENGE
Alexander Street challenges you to watch the selected list of some of the greatest films from around the world that encompass many time-periods, varying content and form. Film clubs, student groups, and faculty members are invited to track your progress!
Access the full Sony Challenge playlist : https://search.alexanderstreet.com/playlist/521392
How are marriage and divorce different in modern-day Iran versus America?
To which elements of Jenny's story can you relate the most?
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Why do you think Roger Ebert described this as the "most exhilirating martial arts movie" he'd ever seen?
What was appealing about skateboarding to the characters in this movie? Why do you think they were drawn to it?
Who do you think bears the most responsibility for the financial crisis? Individuals who lived beyond their means? Banks who profited from that behavior? The government who enabled it?
Do you agree with Jimmy Carter's view of today's Middle East?
How do you think George truly felt about his family and his hometown? Why do you think he expressed his feelings the way he did?
Given the recent heightened awareness of what constitutes 'fake news' how do you evaluate mainstream media information about climate change?
The Fog of War: Eleven Lessons from the Life of Robert S. McNamara
In hindsight, how do you evaluate America's military actions in the Vietnam War?
What about Marjane's teenage years is similar to your own? What about her teenage years was different?
Which are your favorite buildings of Gehry's and why?
How do you interpret the last scene of the movie?
Do you think Weiser changed throughout the course of the movie? What do you think changed him?
Did this documentary change who your image of Mike Tyson? What did you know about him before you watched, and what do you think of him after having watched the film?
Why do you think the filmmaker chose to use animation in this film?
What do you think the bicycle represents in the film?
Have you ever stayed friends with an ex?
What's the biggest, best party you've ever attended?
Who are your favorite musicians? How has their music influenced you?
Has an athlete, politician, or celebrity you admire ever disappointed you? Why do you think we are so affected when a role model disappoints us?
Hollywood is certainly more accepting of LGBTQ actors/actresses today. What other professions and industries are still resistant to LGBTQ populations?
What do you think the title of the film means?
Is there any excuse for the behavior of Bruno? Do you have any sympathy for him?
Why do you think Andrew didn't just quit? Why did he keep submitting himself to his teacher's abuses?
What do you think about the climax of the film? What is your opinion of Mr. Morin as a teacher?
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directed by Asghar Farhadi, 1972-; produced by Asghar Farhadi, 1972-; performed by Leila Hatami, 1972-, Peyman Moaadi, 1971-, Shahab Hosseini, 1974- and Sareh Bayat, 1979- (New York, NY: Sony Pictures Classics, 2011), 2 hours 3 mins |
How are marriage and divorce different in modern-day Iran versus America? |
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written by Lynn Barber, 1944-; directed by Lone Scherfig, 1959-; produced by Finola Dwyer, fl. 1984 and Amanda Posey, 1966-, BBC Films, Finola Dwyer Productions, Wildgaze Films and Endgame Entertainment; performed by Carey Mulligan, 1985-, Peter Sarsgaard, 1971-, Alfred Molina, 1953- and Rosamund Pike, 1979- (New York, NY: Sony Pictures Classics, 2009), 1 hour 40 mins |
To which elements of Jenny's story can you relate the most? |
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Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon directed by Ang Lee, 1954-; produced by Hsu Li-Kong, 1943-, William Kong, fl. 1983-2016, Ang Lee, 1954-, Ping Dong, 1961- and Quangang Zheng, fl. 1995-2006, Asia Union Film & Entertainment, China Film Co-Production Corporation, Columbia Pictures Film Production Asia, Edko Films, Good Machine, Sony Pictures Classics, United China Vision and Zoom Hunt International Productions; performed by Chow Yun-Fat, 1955-, Michelle Yeoh, 1962- and Zhang Ziyi, 1979- (New York, NY: Sony Pictures Classics, 2001), 2 hours |
Why do you think Roger Ebert described this as the "most exhilirating martial arts movie" he'd ever seen? |
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directed by Stacy Peralta, 1957-; produced by Agi Orsi, fl. 1987-2016, Agi Orsi Productions and Vans; performed by Sean Penn, 1960-, Jay Adams, 1961-2014, Tony Alva, 1957- and Tony Hawk, 1968- (New York, NY: Sony Pictures Classics, 2002), 1 hour 31 mins |
What was appealing about skateboarding to the characters in this movie? Why do you think they were drawn to it? |
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directed by Charles Ferguson, 1955-; produced by Charles Ferguson, 1955- and Audrey Marrs, 1970-, Sony Pictures Classics, Representational Pictures and Screen Pass Pictures; performed by Matt Damon, 1970-, William Ackman, fl. 2009-2015, Daniel Alpert, fl. 2010-2013, Jonathan Alpert and Sigridur Benediktsdottir, fl. 2010 (New York, NY: Sony Pictures Classics, 2010), 1 hour 49 mins |
Who do you think bears the most responsibility for the financial crisis? Individuals who lived beyond their means? Banks who profited from that behavior? The government who enabled it? |
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directed by Jonathan Demme, 1944-; produced by Neda Armian, 1970- and Jonathan Demme, 1944-, Armian Pictures, Clinica Estetico and Participant Media; performed by Lillian Carter, 1898-1983, Jimmy Carter, 1924- and Rosalynn Carter, 1927-(New York, NY: Sony Pictures Classics, 2007), 2 hours 6 mins |
Do you agree with Jimmy Carter's view of today's Middle East? |
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directed by Phil Morrison, 1968-; produced by Mindy Goldberg, fl. 1989 and Mike S. Ryan, fl. 1997, Epoch Films; performed by Embeth Davidtz, 1965-, Alessandro Nivola, 1972-, Amy Adams, 1974- and Ben McKenzie, 1978- (New York, NY: Sony Pictures Classics, 2005), 1 hour 47 mins |
How do you think George truly felt about his family and his hometown? Why do you think he expressed his feelings the way he did? |
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directed by Robert Kenner, fl. 1971; produced by Robert Kenner, fl. 1971 and Melissa Robledo, fl. 2000, Participant Media; performed by Jamy Ian Swiss, 1953-, Stanton A. Glantz, 1946- and Sam Roe, fl. 2011 (New York, NY: Sony Pictures Classics, 2015), 1 hour 33 mins |
Given the recent heightened awareness of what constitutes 'fake news' how do you evaluate mainstream media information about climate change? |
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The Fog of War: Eleven Lessons from the Life of Robert S. McNamara directed by Errol Morris, 1948-; produced by Errol Morris, 1948-, Michael Williams, 1957- and Julie Ahlberg, fl. 1982-2016, Sony Pictures Classics, Radical Media, SenArt Films and Globe Department Store; performed by Robert McNamara, 1916-2009, John F. Kennedy, 1917-1963 and Fidel Castro, 1926-2016 (New York, NY: Sony Pictures Classics, 2003), 1 hour 47 mins |
In hindsight, how do you evaluate America's military actions in the Vietnam War? |
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directed by Vincent Paronnaud, 1970- and Marjane Satrapi, 1969-; produced by Xavier Rigault, fl. 2007-2017, Marc-Antoine Robert, fl. 2007-2017 and Tara Grace, fl. 2006-2007, 2.4.7. Films, France 3 Cinéma, Kennedy/Marshall Company, French Connection Animations and Diaphana Films; performed by Chiara Mastroianni, 1972-, Catherine Deneuve, 1943- and Danielle Darrieux, 1917- (New York, NY: Sony Pictures Classics, 2007), 1 hour 36 mins |
What about Marjane's teenage years is similar to your own? What about her teenage years was different? |
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directed by Sydney Pollack, 1934-2008; produced by Ultan Guilfoyle, fl. 1991, American Masters, Eagle Rock Entertainment, Mirage Enterprises, Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and WNET Channel 13, New York, NY; performed by Frank Gehry, 1929-, Dennis Hopper, 1936-2010 and Philip Johnson, 1906-2005 (New York, NY: Sony Pictures Classics, 2006), 1 hour 24 mins |
Which are your favorite buildings of Gehry's and why? |
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directed by Jeff Nichols, 1978-; produced by Tyler Davidson, fl. 2002-2017 and Sophia Lin, fl. 1995-2016, Hydraulx, REI Capital, Grove Hill Productions and Strange Matter Films; performed by Michael Shannon, 1974-, Jessica Chastain, 1977- and Shea Whigham, 1969- (New York, NY: Sony Pictures Classics, 2011), 2 hours 1 mins |
How do you interpret the last scene of the movie? |
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directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, 1973-; produced by Max Wiedemann, fl. 1999-2017, Quirin Berg, fl. 1999-2017, Claudia Gladziejewski, fl. 1998-2014, Dirk Hamm, fl. 2004-2011, Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, 1973-, Monika Lobkowicz, 1958- and Andreas Schreitmüller, 1956-, Wiedemann & Berg Filmproduktion, Bayerischer Rundfunk, Creado Film and ARTE; performed by Ulrich Mühe, 1953-2007, Martina Gedeck, 1961-, Sebastian Koch, 1962- and Ulrich Tukur, 1957- (New York, NY: Sony Pictures Classics, 2006), 2 hours 18 mins |
Do you think Weiser changed throughout the course of the movie? What do you think changed him? |
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directed by James Toback, 1944-; produced by James Toback, 1944-, Damon Bingham, fl. 2004-2016 and Harlan Werner, fl. 2008, Wild Bunch, Green Room Productions, Fyodor Productions, Krossover Productions and Defiance Entertainment; performed by Mike Tyson, 1966-, Mills Lane, 1936- and Trevor Berbick, 1955-2006 (New York, NY: Sony Pictures Classics, 2008), 1 hour 31 mins |
Did this documentary change who your image of Mike Tyson? What did you know about him before you watched, and what do you think of him after having watched the film? |
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directed by Ari Folman, 1962-; produced by Ari Folman, 1962-, Serge Lalou, fl. 1990-2017, Gerhard Meixner, fl. 1997-2017, Yael Nahlieli, fl. 2008-2008 and Roman Paul, fl. 2005-2017, Bridgit Folman Film Gang, Les Films d'Ici and Razor Film Produktion; performed by Ari Folman, 1962-, Ron Ben-Yishai, 1943- and Ori Sivan, 1963- (New York, NY: Sony Pictures Classics, 2008), 1 hour 30 mins |
Why do you think the filmmaker chose to use animation in this film? |
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directed by Wang Xiaoshuai, 1966-; produced by Han Sanping, 1953-, Peggy Chiao, fl. 1991-2016 and Hsu Hsiao-ming, 1955-, Pyramide Productions and Arc Light Films; performed by Lin Cui, 1982-, Bin Li, 1982- and Zhou Xun, 1974- (New York, NY: Sony Pictures Classics, 2002), 1 hour 54 mins |
What do you think the bicycle represents in the film? |
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directed by Lee Toland Krieger, 1983-; produced by Lee Nelson, fl. 1993-2015, Jennifer Todd, 1969- and Suzanne Todd, 1965-, Envision Media Arts and Team Todd; performed by Rashida Jones, 1976-, Andy Samberg, 1978- and Ari Graynor, 1983- (New York, NY: Sony Pictures Classics, 2012), 1 hour 32 mins |
Have you ever stayed friends with an ex? |
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directed by Greg Harrison, 1969-; produced by Danielle Renfrew, 1973- and Greg Harrison, 1969-, 415 Productions; performed by Mackenzie Firgens, 1975-, Lola Glaudini, 1971-, Denny Kirkwood, 1975- and Hamish Linklater, 1976- (New York, NY: Sony Pictures Classics, 2000), 1 hour 24 mins |
What's the biggest, best party you've ever attended? |
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directed by Davis Guggenheim, 1963-; produced by Peter Afterman, fl. 1980, Lesley Chilcott, Davis Guggenheim, 1963- and Thomas Tull, 1970-, Thomas Tull Productions; performed by Jimmy Page, 1944-, The Edge, 1961- and Jack White, 1975-(New York, NY: Sony Pictures Classics, 2008), 1 hour 38 mins |
Who are your favorite musicians? How has their music influenced you? |
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directed by Alex Gibney, 1953-; produced by Frank Marshall, 1946-, Matt Tolmach, fl. 1993 and Alex Gibney, 1953-, Kennedy/Marshall Company, Jigsaw Productions and Matt Tolmach Productions; performed by Lance Armstrong, 1971-, Reed Albergotti, fl. 2013 and Frankie Andreu, 1966- (New York, NY: Sony Pictures Classics, 2013), 2 hours 4 mins |
Has an athlete, politician, or celebrity you admire ever disappointed you? Why do you think we are so affected when a role model disappoints us? |
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directed by Rob Epstein, 1955- and Jeffrey Friedman, 1951-; produced by Rob Epstein, 1955- and Jeffrey Friedman, 1951-, Film4 Productions and Home Box Office; performed by Tony Curtis, 1925-2010, Susie Bright, 1958- and Jay Presson Allen, 1922-2006 (New York, NY: Sony Pictures Classics, 1996), 1 hour 42 mins |
Hollywood is certainly more accepting of LGBTQ actors/actresses today. What other professions and industries are still resistant to LGBTQ populations? |
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directed by Richard Glatzer, 1952-2015 and Wash Westmoreland, 1966-; produced by James Brown, fl. 2003-2016 and Lex Lutzus, 1980-, Lutzus-Brown, Killer Films and BSM Studio; performed by Julianne Moore, 1960-, Kate Bosworth, 1983- and Alec Baldwin, 1958- (New York, NY: Sony Pictures Classics, 2014), 1 hour 41 mins |
What do you think the title of the film means? |
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directed by Jean-Pierre Dardenne, 1951- and Luc Dardenne, 1954-; produced by Jean-Pierre Dardenne, 1951-, Luc Dardenne, 1954- and Denis Freyd, fl. 1983, Les Films du Fleuve; performed by Jérémie Renier, 1981-, Déborah François, 1987- and Jérémie Segard, fl. 2005 (Culver City, CA: Sony Pictures Classics, 2006), 1 hour 36 mins |
Is there any excuse for the behavior of Bruno? Do you have any sympathy for him? |
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directed by Damien Chazelle, 1985-; produced by Jason Blum, 1969-, Helen Estabrook, fl. 2009-2017, David Lancaster, fl. 1985-2017 and Michel Litvak, fl. 2005-2017, Bold Films, Blumhouse Productions and Right of Way Films; performed by Miles Teller, 1987-, J. K. Simmons, 1955- and Paul Reiser, 1957- (New York, NY: Sony Pictures Classics, 2014), 1 hour 47 mins |
Why do you think Andrew didn't just quit? Why did he keep submitting himself to his teacher's abuses? |
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directed by Laurent Cantet, 1961-; produced by Simon Arnal, fl. 1996-2017, Caroline Benjo, fl. 1997-2016, Barbara Letellier, fl. 1999-2016 and Carole Scotta, fl. 1992-2016, Haut et Court and France 2 Cinema; performed by François Bégaudeau, 1971-, Louise Grinberg, 1993- and Franck Keïta, fl. 2008-2011 (New York, NY: Sony Pictures Classics, 2008), 2 hours 10 mins |
What do you think about the climax of the film? What is your opinion of Mr. Morin as a teacher? |