MassArt Professor Saul Levine Departs After Screening Controversial 1989 Film
Saul Levine has departed from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design following allegations related to a classroom screening. The filmmaker, who held a professorship for 39 years, was accused of harming students and sexual harassment. This stemmed from showing his 1989 work Notes After Long Silence, which contains explicit footage of Levine and his partner. Anonymous student complaints prompted a meeting with administrators that Levine characterized as an ambush. He announced his forced early retirement via Facebook Live. The university's faculty website previously described him as the foremost dissenting filmmaker in America. The screening was intended to facilitate discussion on film editing techniques.
Key facts
- Saul Levine left his professor position at Massachusetts College of Art and Design
- He was accused of harming students and sexual harassment
- The controversy involved screening his 1989 film Notes After Long Silence
- The film includes footage of Levine and his partner having sex
- Levine stated he was forced into early retirement
- He made the announcement via Facebook Live
- Anonymous student complaints led to a meeting with administrators
- Levine had been at MassArt for 39 years
Entities
Artists
- Saul Levine
Institutions
- Massachusetts College of Art and Design
- ArtReview