Oscar-nominated screenwriter Guillermo Arriaga to visit UNT-Denton

In this order do I love and appreciate Arriaga's filmscripts as interpreted by Tommy Lee Jones and Alejandro González Iñárritu: "The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada" (2005), "Babel" (2006), and "Amores Perros" (2000). ("Amores Perros" reminded me of "Short Cuts" (dir., Robert Altman) and a couple of other multi-plot intertwining films, and "Babel" seemed like an internationalized version of "Amores Perros".) This opportunity to hear a living legend of contemporary screenwriting is a gift to the community that anyone who appreciates world cinema should not miss. Folks, these events are FREE! Thanks are due to the UNT administration for their effort in bringing Arriaga to little ole North Texas.


Oscar-nominated screenwriter Guillermo Arriaga to lecture at UNT

What: Writer and director Guillermo Arriaga visits the University of North Texas to give three lectures on filmmaking

When/Where: 6:30 p.m. Feb. 12 (Thursday) in Room 184 of UNT's Radio, Television, Film and Performing Arts Building, located on the corner of Welch and Chestnut Street

7:30 p.m. Feb. 13 (Friday) in the Lyceum of UNT's University Union, located one block west of Welch and West Prairie streets

9 a.m. to noon Feb. 14 (Saturday) in the ballroom (Room 34) of UNT's Gateway Center, located on North Texas Boulevard between Eagle Drive and Highland Street

Cost: Free

Contact: UNT-International at 940-565-2197

DENTON (UNT), Texas -- At a series of University of North Texas events Academy Award-nominated screenwriter Guillermo Arriaga will discuss the filmmaking process and how films can build broader international understanding. The series includes three lectures from Feb. 12 (Thursday) to Feb. 14 (Saturday). All three events are free and open to the public; registration is required for the Saturday event.

The first event, a guest lecture designed for UNT film students and faculty members, will take place at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 12 (Thursday) in Room 184 of the Radio, Television, Film and Performing Arts Building, located on the corner of Welch and Chestnut streets. Arriaga will discuss the process of developing the written word of a screenplay and transforming it into a film.

The second lecture, designed for the general public, will occur at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13 (Friday) in the Lyceum of UNT's University Union, located one block west of Welch and West Prairie streets. Arriaga will discuss cross-cultural communication and the role of film in developing global interaction.

The second event is part of UNT-International's EncoUNTers speaker series, an international lecture series designed to bring speakers from around the world to UNT to promote cross-cultural understanding through an open exchange of ideas.

For the final lecture, Arriaga will host a master's class to discuss screenwriting and his experiences in cinema. The workshop, designed primarily for film industry professionals and aspiring writers, will take place from 9 a.m. to noon Feb. 14 (Saturday) in the ballroom (Room 34) of UNT's Gateway Center, located on North Texas Boulevard between Eagle Drive and Highland Street. Attendees must register for the workshop by calling 940-565-2197. There are a limited number of seats available and it is recommended that participants register before 5 p.m. Feb. 12.

A native of Mexico, Arriaga explores in his screenplays:

the challenges of communication
the importance of love
the consequences of our actions
contradictions within human nature
clashes among cultures

His films include "Babel", "Amores Perros" and "The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada". He has received Oscar, Golden Globe and Writers Guild of America award nominations and received awards from the Cannes Film Festival and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.

Through his latest film, "The Burning Plain", Arriaga makes his feature directorial debut. The film stars Oscar winner Charlize Theron, Kim Basinger and newcomer Jennifer Lawrence in a romantic mystery about a woman on the edge who takes an emotional journey to uncover the secret of a past love and meets other characters along the way who are grappling with their own romantic destinies.

Prior to his work in the film industry, Arriaga was a renowned novelist in Mexico for works such as A Sweet Smell of Death and The Night Buffalo. His books have been translated into 18 languages including English, German, Greek, French, Hebrew and Romanian.

For more than 25 years, he has worked as a college professor and directed, produced and written short films, documentaries, television series, and radio and television commercials.

The lectures are sponsored by the UNT's Office of the President, Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and UNT-International.

For more information, contact UNT-International at 940-565-2197.

UNT News Service Phone Number: (940) 565-2108
Contact: Ellen Rossetti (940) 369-7912
Email: erossetti@unt.edu