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“Everything you’re looking for lies behind the mask you wear.” ““Dalai Lama

To complement our exhibition “Becoming Another: The Power of Masks,” which is now on view, we’ve launched “Movie Masks,” a new Friday-night film series. Across cultures, geography, and time, masks have consistently been used to transform the self. “Movie Masks” examines how this idea manifests itself in film.

Ko-omote; Japan; 17th century; Wood and lacquer; Brooklyn Museum; Gift of Mrs. Theodore Roosevelt in memory of Kermit Roosevelt, 44.192.1
Ko-omote; Japan; 17th century; Wood and lacquer; Brooklyn Museum; Gift of Mrs. Theodore Roosevelt in memory of Kermit Roosevelt, 44.192.1

Below, we’ve selected some of the most iconic masks featured in films from the series. How many can you identify? Scroll down for the answers!

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Answers: 1 – The Princess Bride (Rob Reiner, 1987), screening July 10 with introduction by neuroscientist Peter Mende-Siedlecki; 2 – Le Plaisir (Max Ophüls, 1952), screening May 29 with introduction by author Ian Buruma; 3 – Phantom of the Paradise (Brian De Palma, 1974), screening July 31; 4 – Eyes Without a Face (Georges Franju, 1960), screening July 26 with introduction by costume designer Linda Cho and theater director Darko Tresnjak; 5- Brazil (Terry Gilliam, 1985), screening June 19 with introduction by Mark Schoofs.

For the full “Movie Masks” line-up, please visit RubinMuseum.org.

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