Jean-Pierre Jeunet's 2004 film, "A Very Long Engagement," will be screened at Coastal Carolina University Tuesday, Sept. 26, at 5 p.m. in the Coastal Theater as part of the Thomas W. and Robin W. Edwards College of Humanities and Fine Arts War & Society Film Series. The event is free and open to the public.

The film follows the story of a young woman's relentless search for her fiancé, a soldier who disappeared from the trenches of the Somme during World War I. Winner of multiple international awards in film, "A Very Long Engagement" was nominated for awards in Art Direction and Cinematography at the 2005 Academy Awards. The film will be shown in French with English subtitles.

Philip Whalen, professor in the Department of History, will lead a discussion following the screening on the historical and political context of the film.

"We will explore how modernity and authoritarianism could be linked in interwar Europe," Whalen said.

The War & Society Film Series aims to inspire discussion on societal impacts during and after wars.

"The study of war and society explores the structural, contextual and contingent forces and conditions associated with the experience, conduct and consequences of conflict and war," said Christopher Gunn, assistant professor of history and co-founder of the film series. "The films we have chosen address the social and cultural effects of conflict upon the societies that experience them, as well as the ways that those societies and cultures shape the conflicts they wage."

"A Very Long Engagement" is rated R and contains content that may be inappropriate for children. Parental discretion is advised.

The Coastal Theater is located in the Lib Jackson Student Union at 106 Spadoni Park Circle on the CCU main campus in Conway. Parking is available in lots E and MM; see www.coastal.edu/map.

For more information on the event or on the War & Society Film Series, contact Whalen at phwalen@coastal.edu or 843-349-2350. Visit coastal.edu/history.