BU Research Blog

ESRC Festival by the Sea

A Study Day on the Forensics of Murder and Identity Theft in The Talented Mr. Ripley.

Date Saturday 14^th November 1-5.30 pm

Venue: Allsebrook Lecture Theatre, Talbot Campus, Bournemouth University, Poole, Dorset BH12 5BB

Description

It is 60 years since Patricia Highsmith first published her psychological thriller, The Talented Mr Ripley, and its forensic themes have fascinated readers ever since. Following its successful adaptation on stage and screen, this study day links the enduring appeal of the story to the theme of identity theft, which is foregrounded throughout the narrative.

The event combines insights from the arts, psychology and sociology to both dramatise and discuss the motivations and emotions underpinning identity theft as a pervasive psychosocial issue. The session begins with a screening of the film The Talented Mr. Ripley (Anthony Minghella, 1999), followed by discussion with experts and the audience.  The discussion of the film is followed by a live performance from the theatre adaptation of the book in the form of a monologue by a member of the award winning Faction theatre cast. After the performance there will be an interactive panel discussion with a psychotherapist, Faction theatre members and BU academics.

The panel will include psychotherapist Professor Brett Kahr, Faction Theatre Actor, Christopher Hughs, Director and scriptwriter of the Faction stage adaptation of The Talented Mr.Ripley, Mark Leipacher and BU Media and Communication Professors Iain MacRury and Candida Yates. This event is funded by the ESRC, and is also supported by the Narrative Research Group and builds on research carried out by Professor Yates as a Director (with Professor Caroline Bainbridge, Roehampton University) of the UK Media and Inner World Research network (MiW) that combines sociology, media studies and psychoanalysis to explore the role of emotion in culture and society.

Timing: 1- 5.30pm

1–3.15pm       Film Screening:  The Talented Mr. Ripley (Anthony Minghella, 1999) (This is optional for those who have seen it)

3.15-3.30pm  Break

3.30-4.00 pm Discussion of film

4.00- 5.30pm Actor’s performance and discussion panel.

• The event will appeal to members of the public and also to mental health professionals, and educators interested in the study of identity theft and the psychological, sociological, cultural and clinical themes of the Ripley story.
• The event brings together the spheres of art and science and the innovative format of the session will enable audiences to engage with contemporary forensic concerns in an accessible, and stimulating way.