With an Introduction by Dr. Stefan Niklas
Film and Philosophy is back! In collaboration with Filmtheater De Uitkijk, Wijsgerig Festival DRIFT presents a series of four film nights. Every Monday evening, a film will be screened that aligns with the theme "Muse, tell me." These words, which open The Odyssey, symbolize how stories mediate our experience. The Odyssey marks the beginning of a long storytelling tradition in which narratives are continuously retold, rewritten, and reinterpreted. We will explore how stories shape our perception of ourselves, the world, and society. Each of the four films tells a story of its own, and four different guest speakers will introduce the films, connecting them to the overarching theme.
On April 14, we turn to the figure of the muse with a screening of Under the Skin (2013)!
Jonathan Glazer’s critically acclaimed sci-fi thriller follows an extraterrestrial being that takes the form of a mysterious, seductive woman (Scarlett Johansson). Roaming the Scottish countryside in her van, she successfully lures unsuspecting men into a trap. As she wanders through the human world, she begins to explore what it means to be human—slowly questioning her own nature.
Through the eyes of an outsider, this dark tale examines the essence of humanity. Under the Skin (2013) is a haunting, visually stunning, and surreal masterpiece. The film’s score, composed by Mica Levi, is as eerie, alienating, and mesmerizing as the film itself.
The film will be introduced by Dr. Stefan Niklas, Assistant Professor of Philosophy at the University of Amsterdam. Niklas will discuss the film’s place within 21st-century science fiction (particularly between 2013 and 2018) and its relation to Jonathan Glazer’s wider body of work. He will also explore the film’s connection to The Odyssey, particularly in its depictions of the muse, the sirens, and Circe.