In this April 2013 lecture at SFU's Vancouver campus, Donald Brackett, an SFU Continuing Studies instructor, explored the dynamics behind the creation of the 1950 film noir classic Sunset Boulevard, and the highly combustible and competitive partnership between its director, Billy Wilder, and its writer/producer, Charles Brackett.

The lecture also covered the film's large social impact on popular culture—in particular, the fascination with fame that saturates our contemporary social networks and the film's prophetic nature in showing—over 60 years ago— the dangers of unbridled star-adulation and self-absorption. Some cinematic works of art have such an intuitive prescience into the human condition that they seem as fresh and insightful today as when they were produced. Sunset Boulevard is just such a film.

As Charles Brackett's nephew, Donald Brackett brings a wealth of personal knowledge and insight to this topic. He specializes in the history, theory, and practice of art, design, music, and architecture. He is also a well-known art historian and curator, and the author of many essays, articles, monographs, and books.

Learn more about SFU Continuing Studies:
https://www.sfu.ca/continuing-studies