“I’m Thinking of Ending Things”: Condescensions, pretensions and cutesiness in one
By John Vaaler | October 8, 2020Writer-director Charlie Kauffman’s “I’m Thinking of Ending Things” is about many things, some of which are best left a mystery.
Arts & Culture
Inaugural concert of fall 2020 features Grammy-nominated quintet
By Edyth Moldow | October 1, 2020The Performing Arts Series is providing the gift of music in a time of uncertainty and pandemic-era stress.
Sundance Film Festival Shorts Tour is nothing short of captivating
By Nina Ng | October 1, 2020The annual Sundance Film Festival has long established itself as a place to discover up-and-coming filmmakers.
Direct Your Attention: The Social Dilemma
By Owen Mason-Hill | October 1, 2020This issue of Direct Your Attention is of a different sort; you won’t hear me shouting compliments toward a film or project. Instead, what you will get is a presentation of a project whose mission is so urgent that I think it surpasses even the shortcomings of the project itself. “The Social Dilemma,” ...
Please don’t stop the music: Singing groups play the semester by ear
By Olivia Mueller | September 24, 2020With sufficient precautions, the college’s choir and a cappella groups are determined to find a way to continue the experience of ensemble singing.
Direct Your Attention: Casey Neistat’s Reinvention
By Owen Mason-Hill | September 24, 2020Before a week ago, Casey Neistat had uploaded 11 videos in the past eight months. In the last 10 days, he has uploaded 10 times.
A case for Evelyn Waugh: Humanity and absurdity
By John Vaaler | September 24, 2020“The correct procedure [when assigned a story], is to jump to your feet, seize your hat and umbrella and dart out of the office with every appearance of haste to the nearest cinema."
Senior theses amid Covid-19: theatre majors won’t wait in the wings
By Acadia Klepeis | September 24, 2020Several senior theatre majors have chosen to face the pandemic head-on and complete their projects this fall.
The Librarian is in: ‘Exit West’ by Mohsin Hamid
By Katrina Spencer | September 24, 2020In a nameless country in the Middle East, a civil war breaks out. Not only is this inconvenient for new lovers Nadia and Saeed, it’s potentially fatal.
Direct Your Attention: An insider’s look at America’s outsiders
By Owen Mason-Hill | September 17, 2020Upon first glance, Andrew Callaghan is like any other news anchor: he wears a suit, holds a mic and stands in front of an ever-present cameraman.
The sun doesn’t set on climate justice: Sunrise Middlebury hosts summer study sess
By Emma Crockford | September 17, 2020In an uncertain time, Sunrise Middlebury managed to find a way to continue to energize and educate its members.
Reel Critic: ‘Boys State’
By Nina Ng | September 17, 2020It’s hectic, clamorous but riveting. This is "Boys State."
The Librarian is in: ‘A Brief History of Seven Killings’ by Marlon James
By Katrina Spencer | September 17, 2020“A Brief History of Seven Killings” is the most enrapturing audiobook vocal performance I’ve ever encountered.
Jay Parini’s “Borges and Me”: Beyond Just a Memoir
By John Vaaler | September 10, 2020I recently chatted with Parini about “Borges and Me," reconstructing memories, an upcoming film adaption-- and even Donald Trump.
The only dating guide you’ll need this fall semester
By Edyth Moldow | September 10, 2020Has quarantine loneliness got you down? Since many of us have now returned to campus, here is a list of ideas for your Phase I romantic endeavors.
Direct Your Attention: Malcolm Gladwell’s perfect hi(story)
By Owen Mason-Hill | September 10, 2020I can think of no better subject for the inaugural issue of Direct Your Attention than Malcolm Gladwell’s “Revisionist History” podcast.
Museum of Art shuts its doors for reorganization, plans to reopen in spring 2021
By Haeun Park | September 10, 2020The Middlebury College Museum of Art will be closed to all visitors for the fall semester as it undergoes a complete reorganization.
Reluctant journeys: International students traverse a world of obstacles as U.S. limits entries
By Rain Ji | September 10, 2020Normally, it takes at most a day for You Tao ’22.5 to travel from Beijing to Middlebury College. This year, it took him almost a month.
The Librarian is in: '100 Times'
By Katrina Spencer | September 10, 2020“100 Times” by Chavisa Woods is a compilation of autobiographical vignettes in which the author tells of the many times she has been sexually harassed, assaulted and/or discriminated against.
The sew must go on
By Emily Ballou | June 8, 2020The Middlebury College Theatre Department Costume Shop is accustomed to last minute alterations, so when the Covid-19 pandemic hit Vermont, employees quickly changed course from sewing costumes to sewing face masks.