A Moment of Silence for Miriam Hansen

I did not know Miriam Hansen well, if you can say we were even acquaintances.  But during the years I lived in Chicago I was socially associated with her circle of colleagues and students and had the privilege to meet her and speak with her on several occasions.  As intimidating as Miriam was, she was always kind. 

Once I told her I had read an essay of hers on "Vernacular Modernism," the meaning of which evaded me then and continues to evade me now.  I told her I wanted to talk about it--why not get an elucidated explanation right from the source herself?  And with a comic sigh as she left the party we were at, she smiled, patted my hand and said, "Just, not now."

I have never worked with Miriam and only know her scholarship superficially.  But I can say without equivocation, she worked hard. 

She was also beautiful.  She was slender and stylish, and she held herself with graceful composure.  I used to look at Miriam in awe: she really was a celebrity of cinema studies, if there ever was one.  Impeccably smart, thoughtful and beautiful--that is how I will remember this woman whose influence on the growth of the cinema studies field was truly spectacular. 

Her poise and intellect is inspiring to me.

A moment of silence in remembrance of Miriam Hansen.

My personal condolences to all of the family, friends and colleagues near to her.