Burning books: Academic Freedom in the Age of Fahrenheit 451

Academic freedom is under pressure worldwide, also in the Netherlands. This is the rationale behind Utrecht University’s research on academic freedom. These concerns are not new. Throughout history, books have been banned or burned as a means of suppressing free thinking and restricting access to knowledge.

Fahrenheit 451

The movie Fahrenheit 451 (Truffaut, 1966, based on the American novel by Ray Bradbury, 1953) aimed to serve as an ultimate warning against such suppression. Fahrenheit 451, the temperature at which paper burns, depicts a dystopic world in which books are burned and independent ideas are systematically exterminated. Acts in clear conflict with the values of academic freedom, which requires the space to explore controversial or unwelcome ideas. Yet in Fahrenheit 451, any form of intellectual depth or historical awareness is seen as a threat to public order and conformist tranquility. It is imperative to re-evaluate this film, in the current context of threatened academic freedom.

The screening will be introduced by Utrecht University professors James Kennedy (history), Dan Hassler Forest (media studies), and Marijk van der Wende (convenor).  

Subsequent to the performance, an analysis of impressions and impact will be conducted in a dialogue with the audience over a drink in café Das Kabinett.

Academic Freedom Series

IThis is the tenth dialogue in a series on academic freedom, which aims to raise awareness of the issue of academic freedom amongst a wider audience – both culturally and socially. Through a range of activities, the series explores pressing questions about the trends and mechanisms that threaten academic freedom. For more information about the series, please visit this news item.