posted by Milan on October 4th, 2012

On Sunday afternoon, a crowded Downer Theatre listened to legendary film critic J. Hoberman deliver the official Keynote Address of the 2012 Milwaukee Film Festival.



Hoberman is best known for his work as senior film critic at the Village Voice until 2012, when the Voice announced the elimination of his position. And while many consider his dismissal a watershed moment marking the end of journalistic film criticism, his new book, Film After Film: (Or, What Became of 21st Century Cinema?) takes it one step further, asking what happens to film criticism when the medium of the film itself has become antiquated.

Milwaukee Magazine writer Tom Fuchs summed it up neatly:

"If you attended Sunday’s J. Hoberman: State of Cinema panel expecting some sort of eulogy for 35mm cinema in the face of the oncoming storm that is digital production/distribution, you received nothing of the sort. Instead, Hoberman (one of the finest film critics in American history, author of multiple books and formerly staffer at Village Voice) delivered an engaging lecture looking toward the future with optimism, saying 'It’s hard to pessimistic at a film festival.'"