Filmmaker Jay Craven will attend the screening and Q&A.
Jack London’s Martin Eden is based on the celebrated writer’s autobiographical novel. Set in 1909, it tells the story of a poor and unschooled sailor who unexpectedly meets Ruth Morse, a magnetic young woman of means and education. Their unconventional attraction upends both lives and propels timely themes of impossible love, dogged individualism in pursuit of the American Dream, and the quest for a comfortable place in an inconstant world.
Martin Eden’s cast includes Andrew Richardson in the title role and Hayley Griffith and Annet Mahendru as Ruth Morse and Lizzie Connolly, respectively. Richardson trained at Carnegie Mellon and London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and Royal Academy of Dance. His credits include eight film and television productions along with theatrical stagings of Taming of the Shrew and Othello.
Annet Mahendru is best known for her co-starring role as Nina Krilova, the U.S. Russian embassy operative who has a love affair with FBI agent, Stan Beeman, in the long-running Emmy-winning series, The Americans. She also co-starred as Elena Evanovich in the Amazon series, The Romanoffs.
Hayley Griffth’s credits include Law and Order and Bull. Other supporting actors Missy Yager (Mad Men, Manchester by the Sea), Grainger Hines (Lincoln, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs), Phil McGlaston (Broadway’s Little Foxes, Athol Fugard’s Master Harold and the Boys, August Wilson’s Fences), Michael Benz (Downton Abbey, Joker), Jo Armeniox (Boardwalk Empire), Ken Wulf Clark (House of Cards) and Rebecca Faulkenberry (co-star of Spiderman on Broadway).
Jack London was America’s most popular writer at the turn of the 20th century, having written stories including “Call of the Wild” and “White Fang.” His novel, “Martin Eden,” inspired Ernest Hemingway, Susan Sontag and Upton Sinclair, among others.
Jack London’s Martin Eden was produced through director Craven’s Semester Cinema program, hosted for this iteration at Sarah Lawrence College. 28 professionals mentored and collaborated with 35 students to make the film.
Read the director’s statement HERE
Read about Jay Craven HERE
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