Harvard Film PhD Program: Narrative Films

A group of astronomers, led by Professor Barbenfouillis, approves a mission to the moon using a bullet-shaped vessel launched by a giant cannon. Upon landing, they explore the moon’s strange and dangerous terrain, but soon face unexpected threats and must find a way to return safely to Earth.

Aboard a Europe-bound train, a young woman befriends a charming elderly lady who mysteriously disappears. As she investigates, she uncovers an intricate conspiracy, with few willing to believe her. This suspenseful thriller combines wit and intrigue masterfully. A captivating classic from the master of suspense—unmissable for thriller enthusiasts!

In Workers Leaving the Lumière Factory (1895), one of the first motion pictures, a man opens the large gates as workers stream out, some through a side door. Most are women in long dresses and hats, others are men. A man in an apron rushes past, followed by a dog, and later cyclists exit. When the crowd disperses, the doorkeeper closes the gates, sealing a historic moment in film.

In The Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat Station (1896), the Lumière brothers capture a simple scene: people lined up on a platform as a train approaches. When it halts, the line breaks, doors open, and passengers are helped off. This brief sequence became one of cinema’s earliest milestones.