Costume and film experts on 2016 Academy Award nominees

ACADEMY AWARDS EXPERTS

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The 2016 Academy Awards, hosted by Chris Rock, is Sunday (Feb. 28). The following Purdue University experts can discuss this year's nominees, costume design and the movie industry.

Lance Duerfahrd, associate professor of English and director of the Film and Video Studies Program, can talk about this year's film trends, especially the impact "Mad Max: Fury Road" will have on the industry. He also can talk about the worst films of the year and bad cinema.

"The 'Mad Max' phenomenon in 'Fury Road,' is surely the most visually stunning and adrenaline-spiking visions put on screen in years. One wonders what might have happened had the 'Star Wars' reboot had a fraction of the visionary quality of this remake," Duerfahrd says.

 Duerfahrd has published articles on the films of Ed Wood, the Marx Brothers and the work of documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman. His research in film has been featured in national and international news media. Lance has been a featured guest on National Public Radio, the CBC network, BBC news, Chicago Public Radio, The Chicago Tribune, The Washington Post, The Economist, New York Times.com, and Salon.

CONTACT: Lance Duerfahrd, lduerfah@purdue.edu

Joel Ebarb, associate professor in the Patti & Rusty Rueff School of Visual and Performing Arts, can talk about this year's roster of costume design nominees: "The Revenant," "Mad Max: Fury Road," "The Danish Girl," "Cinderella" and "Carol." He also can discuss his connection to nominee Sandy Powell for her costume design in "Carol" and "Cinderella." Ebarb was given the candy box featured in the film "Carol" as a gift to him from a professional colleague who served as a design assistant on the film.

" 'Carol' is a great depiction of how clothing can communicate character and one's place in society. I think the use of clothing to show how the lead character of 'The Danish Girl' transitions from male to female is stunning and sophisticated in attention to detail. 'Cinderella' is lavish and creative and such a unique interpretation of how to use and manipulate historical research. 'Mad Max' and 'The Revenant' are both good examples of solid and creative use of costumes to tell a story. Overall, a great slate of designers and nominees," Ebarb says.

Ebarb has numerous costume design credits, including work for the Indiana Repertory Theatre. He is associate dean for undergraduate education and international programs in the College of Liberal Arts. 

CONTACT: Joel Ebarb, jebarb@purdue.edu

Writer: John Hughey, 765-494-2432, hugheyj@purdue.edu 

Related website: College of Liberal Arts