Citizen Kane Introduction (Or 5 reasons why this movie matters)

1. It’s Classic Ok, so I realize that at first glance the movie might seem boring (gasp - it’s in black and white) BUT Citizen Kane is consistently included on best movies of all times lists (it’s number one on the American Film Institute’s top 100) Imagine yourself, 10 years from now, at a swanky cocktail party. Someone just might bring up this movie, and won’t you feel foolish if you don’t know what they’re talking about? If nothing else, after watching this movie those “rosebud” references in the Simpsons will actually make sense.

2. It’s a mystery! The movie opens with the death of Kane from the title. However, unlike your typical mystery, you’re not trying to find out whodunit, but the meaning of his dying words (spoiler alert)“Rosebud.” The point of view goes from newsreels to focusing on a reporter trying to investigate Kane’s final words. In the process, the audience learns more about Kane’s life from various flashbacks from the perspective of people with differing relationships to Kane, from his stern guardian to estranged wives and friends

3. It’s controversial As we watch the movie, look for similarities between Kane and newspaper magnate Randolph William Hearst (think Hearst Castle). These similarities were intentional on the part of Orson Welles (both the director and lead actor) and infuriated Hearst when he got wind of it. Hearst accused Welles of being a Communist to delay its release, and even though it was released in 1941, it was booed when it came up for every 9 of its Academy Award nominations.

4. It’s similar to The Great Gatsby! As we watch, look for similar themes to the Great Gatsby such as: Money can’t buy you love/happiness. It’s more difficult to be wealthy and be a good person. You can’t repeat the past.

5. It’s your grade! You need to answer questions on the movie as we go (I’ll try to pause the movie, but there are a lot of them) and then compare and contrast Gatsby to Kane at the end. After the movie there might be a certain writing assignment that would be a lot easier if you were able to reference the movie (hint hint)