Alumni to Screen Film on Campus

11.04.2019

A scene from the film “A Ship of Human Skin.”

A new film, written, produced and directed by a UT Dallas alumnus, will be screened on campus this Thursday.

Richard Bailey MA’10 will show his film “A Ship of Human Skin,” which features two other alumni, as well as current faculty member Fred Curchack, professor in the School of Arts and Humanities (A&H).

“It was only subsequent to my time at UT Dallas that I got to know these actresses. But it came as no surprise that they’d been educated at UTD because of their multidisciplinary background, which was perfect for this film,” Bailey said.

Hilly Holsonback BA’09 MFA’12 and Hannah Weir BA’12 are the lead actresses in the movie, which is a gothic story about mysticism and violent crime. Curchack is the narrator.

“A Ship of Human Skin” has received awards at festivals such as the Dallas VideoFest, the Madrid Indie Film Festival and the Arizona Underground Film Festival.

“‘A Ship of Human Skin’ was a big hit at our Alternative Fictions festival. Bailey has a way of making films that are deeply rooted in Texas life and culture. There is murder, drugs, all kinds of situations you might see in a dark, Texas tale. But Bailey’s writing and directing speak to deep universal truths,” said Bart Weiss, artistic director for Dallas VideoFest.

Even with festival accolades, Bailey said an independent film doesn’t always have a lot of opportunity for additional showings.

“It’s often a bit of a struggle to find life after the festivals in galleries and different venues,” he said. “I’m fortunate that UTD is hospitable to things like this.”

The film will be shown at an event at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7 in the SP/N Gallery. Following the screening, Bailey, Holsonback and the film’s cinematographer and composer will be available for questions and discussion. Also at the gallery will be a showcase of art made by former A&H students, including Holsonback. The gallery show will continue through Nov. 23.

–Phil Roth