School of Creative Arts Research Forum: Bob Dylan on Film - An Introduction

A seminar by Jonathan Hodgers (Department of Music) as part of the School of Creative Arts Research Forum.

In this talk, Jonathan Hodgers introduces his monograph Bob Dylan on Film. This book explores Bob Dylan's underappreciated role as a filmmaker, positioning him as an auteur whose cinematic ventures mirror the same artistry and thematic complexity that define his music, prose, and visual art. Moving beyond his musical identity, it examines Dylan's films, from Dont Look Back (1967) to Masked and Anonymous (2003), emphasising how his experimental, often unconventional filmmaking defies categorisation. By analysing representative examples of Dylan's work both behind and in front of the camera, the book reveals a unique artistic vision that interweaves his creative sensibilities across mediums. Dylan's films, shaped by recurring stylistic and thematic patterns, provide evidence of an interconnected creative approach, making a compelling case for recognising him as an auteur whose filmmaking contributions are integral to his broader artistic legacy.

The School of Creative Arts Research Forum meets weekly on Mondays from 10am-11am in the Neill Lecture Theatre in Trinity Long Room Hub. The aim of the Forum is to provide a space for School researchers, both staff and postgraduate students, to share their ideas in an informal and supportive environment. It is also an opportunity for the School to hear about the research of colleagues both from within TCD and from outside the university who share our research interests. In line with the research agenda of the School, talks encompass traditional research and practice-based research.
About the speaker: Dr Jonathan Hodgers is a scholar and lecturer specialising in 20th-century music, with a particular emphasis on popular and vernacular traditions. He earned his PhD in Music from Trinity College Dublin in 2014, where his dissertation, Dylan in Cinema, explored Bob Dylan's influence on film. 

Please indicate if you have any access requirements, such as ISL/English interpreting, so that we can facilitate you in attending this event. Contact: weiyi@tcd.ie