The automobile and the movies grew up together. Both promised freedom, excitement, mobility, and a chance to become someone different. As Hollywood and Detroit came of age, the car became one of Hollywood’s most powerful symbols.

Through film clips and behind-the-scenes stories, this talk examines how movies have used automobiles to reflect American ideas about freedom, youth, masculinity, status, rebellion, technology, and the open road. From the Iron Man to the Flintstones, from Stephen King’s Christine to Marty McFly, from Ford to Ferrari, we’ll explore what our favorite movie automobiles tell us about America, and ourselves.