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Exhibition Opening: Princeton in Cinema

Between Lines and Stanzas: Ways of Being Human with Poetry

The Princeton Film Festival Society celebrates its exhibition about Princeton's important place in the history of cinema and the impact of filmmaking in Princeton on the community.

Princeton in Cinema: From Thomas Edison to "Oppenheimer"

Lights, camera, Princeton! This dynamic exhibition, supported by the National Humanities Center (Being Human Festival) and Princeton Humanities Initiative, uncovers the town’s surprising cinematic legacy, from Thomas Edison’s pioneering experiments in nearby West Orange to Christopher Nolan’s "Oppenheimer." Through rare archival materials, film stills, newspapers, and residents’ stories, it traces how Princeton’s architecture, landscapes, and intellectual aura have shaped—and been shaped by—the moving image. Spanning early sound films like "Varsity" (1929) to contemporary productions, the exhibition reveals a rich yet largely overlooked history at the crossroads of culture, technology, and storytelling. Inviting visitors of all backgrounds to see familiar spaces anew, it offers a fresh, engaging perspective on Princeton as both a setting and a protagonist in the history of cinema.

The exhibition is on view at the library for the duration of the Being Human Festival, from April 17 through May 3.

Light refreshments provided courtesy of the Princeton Film Festival Society.

Photo featured courtesy of Princeton University’s Archives.

In partnership with humanists and humanities organizations across the country, the National Humanities Center is supporting numerous public events across the US. These community-focused events, organized and presented by local artists, scholars, and educators, highlight the incredible breadth of the humanities and demonstrate how they add depth and meaning to our lives, help us understand ourselves and one another, and provide context for the complex world around us. The American edition of the Being Human Festival, begun in 2024, is the latest international expansion of the Being Human effort, launched in the United Kingdom in 2014.

Community Room Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Assistive listening system compatible with personal T-coil-enabled devices (compatible headphones also available for use during programs)
• English-language subtitles for films (when available)
• If there is an accommodation that you need or would like so that you can fully enjoy library programs, please visit our Accommodations Request Form.

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