University of Rhode Island students and film enthusiasts had the opportunity this past week to engage with Joan Tewkesbury, a pioneering screenwriter from Hollywood’s “New Hollywood” era.
Tewkesbury, 88, visited URI to discuss her screenplay for “Nashville,” the 1975 Robert Altman film that became a seminal work of American cinema.
The event was organized by the communication studies chair, Justin Wyatt, and included a film screening and a question-and-answer session.
“‘Nashville’ is a metaphor for the American dream and making it big,” Wyatt said. “It’s not really about country music. It’s about America.”
The film follows 24 characters over five days, offering a complex exploration of American society during a period of civil rights struggles and the Vietnam War, according to Wyatt.
Wyatt said it was a great reflection of political and international struggles at the time of the film’s release and he credits it as an innovative work of the time.
“When I saw the film at 11-years-old, I remember thinking, ‘Wow, this country, the USA, is an amazing place,’” Wyatt said. “Everything is happening there. It’s exciting, it’s messy and it’s convoluted.”
Tewkesbury’s visit included a special six-hour creative workshop with graduating film media majors, where she helped students develop storytelling ideas, according to Wyatt.
As a female filmmaker in an era when few women directed films, Tewkesbury began her career as a choreographer before transitioning to screenwriting and directing.
Her directorial debut, “Old Boyfriends,” was released in 1979 and starred Talia Shire.
After working in film and television through the early 2000s, Tewkesbury retired to New Mexico, where she now writes novels, according to Wyatt.
“Her entire life has been about creativity,” Wyatt said. “She’s morphed through different mediums, always finding ways to express herself artistically.”
The URI events included a screening of “Nashville” on Thursday, March 20 followed by a Q&A session at the Robert J. Higgins Welcome Center at 6 p.m.
“I think it’s a phenomenal opportunity to give back to a formative artist,” Wyatt said.
During the event, Tewkesbury talked about her experience in the field and answered some questions from the audience.
When answering a question about dealing with a writer’s block from a student in attendance, Tewkesbury gave some advice.
“Observe who you are and what’s happening around you,” Tewkesbury said. “Even if you go to Starbucks, sit and watch people. See who’s arguing, see who’s just fallen in love and observe the behaviors of those around you.”
The audience was very happy about the time spent with Tewkesbury, according to Kyle Boller, a fourth-year film major.
“It was really cool to meet someone who’s been in the industry for so long and made as impactful films as she has,” Boller said. “You see these people on TV or pictures of them online, but when they sit down in actual conversation, it humanizes them.”
For more information on events being hosted by the Harrington School, view their Instagram page @uriharringtonschool.
