Fri 09:30 AM Varsity 1 Sat 12:00 PM Varsity 1 Sun 9:00 PM Varsity 1
Synopsis
The mostly-true story of John Romulus Brinkley, a Kansas doctor who in 1917 discovers that he can cure male impotence by transplanting goat testicles. Using hand-drawn animated reenactments, interviews, archival footage, and a seriously unreliable narrator, NUTS! traces Brinkley’s rise from poverty and obscurity to the heights of celebrity, wealth, and influence in Depression-era America. Along the way, he transplants thousands of goat testicles, amasses an enormous fortune, is (sort of) elected Governor of Kansas, builds the world’s most powerful radio station, and generally annoys the heck out of the establishment. Brinkley led an audacious life in which he conned everybody and made a disgraceful amount of money. NUTS! is the story of how he did it, and what happened when it all came crashing down.
Director’s Statement: Penny Lane
More than any other human quality, our love of great stories makes us endlessly susceptible to being conned. We believe the stories we want or need to believe, and we believe anyone who tells them to us. Con men know this. So do politicians, propagandists, pitchmen, cult leaders, televangelists, pick up artists, and manipulators of all kinds — including documentary filmmakers. NUTS! is not a film that laughs at the dummies who fell for Brinkley’s bullshit. Instead, it’s a film that shows we are all those dummies. Unlike Brinkley, however, I seduce you, and then I show you how I did it. Who says smart films have to be boring?
Fri 09:30 AM Varsity 1 Sat 12:00 PM Varsity 1 Sun 9:00 PM Varsity 1
Synopsis
When Sony stopped manufacturing replacement parts for its Aibo pet robot, owners had to scramble to save the lifelike dogs that had become members of their families. A touching testimonial to loyalty and love in the not-so-modern world.
Directors’ Statement: Zackary Canepari, Drea Cooper
Everyone loves the family dog. But what happens if your family dog is a robot? Can you love and care for a piece of plastic just the same as flesh and blood? These questions took us to Japan where we found the story of the Sakurai family and their pet Aibo collection.
But what happens if your family dog is a robot? Can you love and care for a piece of plastic just the same as flesh and blood? These questions took us to Japan where we found the story of the Sakurai family and their pet Aibo collection.
