Uncommon Knowledge

by on October 13, 2005

CLOSING THE BOOKS AT UC BERKELEY EXTENSION

Uncommon Knowledge chronicles the final months leading up to the closure of UC Berkeley’s San Francisco campus as plans unfold to transform this historic campus into a profitable housing development.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 6:30 pm New College Theater, 777 Valencia St., San Francisco

There will be a screening of footage from the film, a Q&A with the filmmaker, followed by a reception.

This event is a benefit to help raise post-production funds for the documentary Uncommon Knowledge: Closing the Books at UC Berkeley Extension.

Donations optional, all are welcome.

ABOUT THE FILM: After UC Berkeley Extension announced plans to close its San Francisco campus and convert it into condos, documentary filmmaker and Extension insider, Eliza Hemenway, picked up her camera and filmed the final months leading up to the closure. The result is footage that is hauntingly beautiful and courageous as she confronts upper management and chronicles the transformation of a historic campus from a thriving center of art, education and community into a virtual ghost town. Hemenway also creates an intimate portrait of her coworkers in the midst of mass layoffs and uncertainty. Brutal in its honesty, the film reflects global economic forces playing out in a public institution claiming to represent culture, civility and higher learning.

For more information about Uncommon Knowledge, visit http://www.hemenwaydocs.com

ELIZA HEMENWAY, M.A. worked six years at the photography, film and video department at UC Berkeley Extension. She holds an M.A. in Media Studies from New College of California, where she began working on Uncommon Knowledge. Previously, she earned her B. F. A. at The School of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston and Tufts University. Most recently, Hemenway founded Trinity Productions, an independent documentary production company and has worked on field production for the Independent Film Festival Channel as well as providing camera work for independent documentary features. Eliza is pictured on the left with daughter Kathrine.

Sponsored by New College of California Media Studies MA Program: http://www.newcollege.edu/media_studies

For more information about this event: 415-437-3425 or jon@newcollege.edu