 "Photo: Courtesy Photo * UHM Classics Club")
The University of Hawai'i at Manoa Classics Club isn't really a club. "That's a misnomer," explained Kendall Inada, a UHM instructor and the man behind the formation of the group.
According to Inada, the Classics Club has been around since fall 2003. He explained that another instructor tried something similar, but it didn't take off. The Classics Club meets once a month to watch a movie or TV program, from "Clash of the Titans" to "Xena: Warrior Princess" and "Hercules: The Legendary Series." Throughout the during, Inada takes time to discuss how the film or television show illustrates ideas from mythology while pointing out inaccuracies.
The club was meant to be a way to show students in Latin and Greek that classical influence can be found in popular media. It also provided students access to watch program within a context, "like a guided tour," Inada said.
In its first year, the club focused on "Xena: Warrior Princess" and "Hercules." The second year, Inada chose programs that centered on the theme of distortions in mythology. He showed "Clash of the Titans" and the cartoon "Justice League," which features Wonder Woman.
This year the club is presenting all 13 episodes of "I, Claudius," a series first aired in the United States in 1977 on PBS' "Masterpiece Theatre" and based on the novels by Robert Graves. On March 1, they will present episodes nine and 10. Inada will uncover points that aren't obvious in the film, historical facts and elaborate on other topics related to "I, Claudius."
Originally, there were only around 10-12 people in the club and the setting was more informal. Now there are about 30-40 members. Many are from the first and second-year Latin classes Inada teaches, although other students are welcome to attend.
"Let's see what we can get started this year," Inada said, describing his perspective the first year.
So far, the Classics Club has only done the film and television viewings. Inada said that social activities within the club are few.
"Classics doesn't lend itself to activities," Inada said.
Next year, Inada wants to move toward programs that aren't as "Hollywood," and present pieces that are more academic. Although he hasn't made a final decision yet - he likes to assess the programs before showing them at the meetings - he has some shows he'd like to present.
The meetings run from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., so Inada said he can't show some of the longer programs, like "Gladiator" or "Troy." Likewise, he mentioned interest in the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy and "Star Wars," which both have more of a generic mythological influence.
Inada pointed out that he is interested in all mythology, not just the classics. He also likes comic books. Generally, he explained, the DC comics of the 1930s and 1940s were based on Greco-Roman myths, and the Marvel comics of the 1960s were influenced by DC, but adapted to a more modern period. According to Inada, Batman, Zorro, Sherlock Holmes, Robin Hood, Odysseus and Hamlet go all the way back to Orestes, who sought vengeance for the death of his mother.
Students interested in attending can e-mail Inada at kinada@hawaii.edu to get more information.
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