New TCM Documentary Series Explores ‘The Power of Film’

An all-new six-part documentary series from TCM, The Power of Film, will debut on January 4, 2024.

The series is hosted and curated by UCLA professor emeritus, founding chair of UCLA’s Film and Television Producers Program, and one of the founders of the UCLA Film Archive, Howard Suber.

Each 40-minute episode explores the art of storytelling by analyzing the principles and inner workings of some of the greatest films ever produced.

Suber said “I am honored to have our series shown on TCM, surrounded by 17 of the most memorable American films, nearly all of which I discuss in depth in the series. TCM’s commitment to the history of American films has always been remarkable.”  

The Power of Film is directed by Laura Gabbert, written by Howard Suber, and written by Doug Pray who also serves as supervising editor.

Please see the official episode guide from TCM below:

Thursday, January 4 at 8pm ET | Part 1 – Popular and Memorable
A large proportion of the most commercially successful American films are quickly forgotten. A tiny fraction, however, are truly memorable, lasting from one generation to another. Using iconic scenes from many of these classic films, this series explores films that were both popular and memorable. In this episode, Howard Suber asks why this small minority continues to have such power. 

Thursday, January 11 at 8pm ET | Part 2 – Trapped
Nearly all memorable stories, whether told in movies or in real life, are about traps. The most memorable are generally about the loss, sacrifice, and ultimate triumph the central character must engage in to escape their trap.

Thursday, January 18 at 8pm ET | Part 3 – Character Relationships
There’s no such thing as an interesting character; there are only interesting character relationships. But, as is true for religions, myths, and the longest-lasting dramas, the structure of most memorable dramatic plots centers on a single individual, around whom all the most important action and the other characters revolve.

Thursday, January 25 at 8pm ET | Part 4 – Heroes and Villains
Memorable films tend to be a compensation for what we don’t see much of in the real world— justice, commitment, and altruism. Film drama frequently treats the central characters as if they were heroes or villains, but often the two are very much alike.

Thursday, February 1 at 8pm ET | Part 5 – The Power of Paradox
In almost every memorable film, things are not what they seem, and learning the truth about characters and situations creates much of the tension in the film. Often, the truth of the film is quite paradoxical, which is what makes us want to keep watching.

Thursday, February 8 at 8pm ET | Part 6 – Love and Meaning
Although it’s often said that in order to succeed, a Hollywood film has to have a happy ending, when you look at the most memorable love stories it’s astonishing how many of them end with the separation or death of one or both lovers. Often, the paradox underlying the film helps explain why they stick in our memories.  

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