Charlie Chaplin is widely regarded as one of the most influential artists in the history of motion pictures. Chaplin’s work as an actor, filmmaker, composer, and social and political commentator profoundly shaped the role of cinema in the public sphere, while his genre of performance and comedy has inspired generations of actors, writers and directors. Chaired by Ali Smith, our panel will discuss his life and legacy.

Thinkers for our time is a series re-thinking the life and work of influential figures from across the Academy's disciplines, particularly history and the arts. This is the fifth in the series, following events exploring Sigmund Freud, Mary Wollstonecraft, Thomas Malthus and Sylvia Pankhurst. 

Speakers:
Professor Ian Christie FBA, Anniversary Professor of Film and Media History, Birkbeck, University of London
Dr Jon Davison, Performer, Director, Researcher & Historian; Visiting Lecturer in Clown Performance Practice, Central School of Speech and Drama
Dr Michael Hammond, Associate Professor of Film, University of Southampton
Samantha Holdsworth, Founder & Director, Clowns without Borders UK; Co-Founder, Nimble Fish

Chair:
Ali Smith, Writer

Thinkers Of Our Time: Charlie Chaplin

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