In memoriam Jim Hurley (1956-2014)

On Friday 7 February the Faculty received the sad news that our colleague Jim Hurley has passed away at the age of 57. Since 2002 Jim has worked at the Department of Media and Culture Studies as an assistant professor in Film and Television Theory.

Jim was a gifted teacher, who wanted students to be active and critical in their thinking. He was much appreciated for his vast knowledge in the field of film theory and for the incredible range of filmic examples he could conjur up. With his almost encyclopedic erudition, he knew how to present films with great enthusiasm.

Besides his specialism in  Classical Hollywood Cinema, he developed a growing interest in Japanese cinema after the Second World War. Jim was a true cinephile, who systematically studied the oeuvre of directors and triggered his students’ fascination when he told them about his discoveries. His colleagues are deeply shocked by his death. They remember Jim with respect.