Chekhov broadcasts

If you're keen to hear Uncle Vanya read with a British accent, check out the BBC Radio series on Chekhov. 2010 is the 150th anniversary of Anton Chekhov's birth, and to mark the occasion, BBC Radio is broadcasting both new programs and archive recordings of Chekhov plays. The programs are only available online a week after the broadcast, so settle down, you small fries and peasant wives, and check it out here.

"Only a mindless savage would burn up all this beauty in his stove and destroy what we're incapable of creating. Men have reason, and creative ability, so that they can make more of what's been given to them. But so far they haven't been creative, they've been destructive. There are fewer and fewer forests, rivers run dry, wild life is annihilated, the climate's ruined, and every day the land gets poorer and uglier. Oh, you stand there looking at me sarcastically, you don't take anything I say seriously, and maybe I am just a crank. But when I walk past the peasants' woods, which I saved when they were going to be cut down, and when I hear the rustle of young trees which I've planted with my own hands, I realize that to some extent at least I can control the climate. And that if people are happy in a thousand years' time, I will have made some small contribution towards that. When I plant a young birch and watch it turning green and swaying in the wind, my heart is filled with pride! I--anyway. It's time I went. I probably am a crank. Good day to you all." --Astrov in Uncle Vanya.

New Films from Hungary

Another week of Eastern European fun! The Film Society of Lincoln Center will be presenting Hungarian films from February 12-18, 2010 at the Walter Reade Theatre.

Description: "Even though faced with competition from a globalized Hollywood and dwindling theatrical audiences at home, Hungarian cinema has nevertheless managed against all odds to remain fresh, provocative and highly creative. We offer a selection of highlights from recent productions, works which provide ample testament to the vitality of Hungarian cinema as well as invaluable insights into life in the post-communist world."

Be sure to bring your student IDs! The "Sampler Pass" is available again for $18 for a student! Also, a "Day Pass" is available for students. On Saturday, February 13, see FIVE films for just $25.

Films in the Series:
1 (Pater Sparrow, 2009; 91m)
Chameleon (Krisztina Goda, 2008; 105m)
Delta (Kornel Mundruczo, Hungary, 2008; 110m)
Fragment (Gyula Maar, 2007; 86m)
Hunky Blues (Peter Forgacs, 2009; 100m)
The Investigator (Attila Gigor, 2008; 110m)
Iska’s Journey (Csaba Bollok, 2007; 93m)
Lost Times (Aron Matyassy, 2008; 90m)
The Man from London (Bela Tarr, 2007; 132m)
The Milky Way – (Ambient Movie) (Benedek Fliegauf, 2007; 82m)
Pile Up / Koccanás (Ferenc Torok, 2009; 70m)
preceded by The History of Aviation (Bálint Kenyeres, France/Hungary, 2009; 17m)
Puskas Hungary (Tamas Almasi, 2009; 116m)
Sun Street Boys (Gyorgy Szomjas, 2007; 89m)

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STORM WARNINGS Resistance and Reflection in Polish Cinema, 1977-1989

The Film Society of Lincoln Center and the Polish Cultural Institute in New York have put together a wonderful program. From February 3-11, 2010, plenty of gems will be playing at the Walter Reader Center located on West 65th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam.

Description: "Coincident with the “Solidarity” workers’ movement, Polish filmmakers offered a number of hard-hitting looks at their nation that outlined in stark detail the regime’s failures—economic, political and especially spiritual. “Storm Warnings” includes ten key films that represented the moral conscience that helped lay the groundwork for the regime’s eventual collapse."

Please note that a "Sampler Pass" of any three films is available for students for $18! This is not an opportunity to be missed!

Films in the Series:
The Beads of One Rosary (Kazimierz Kutz, Poland, 1980; 116m)
Camera Buff (Krzysztof Kieslowski, Poland, 1978; 112m)
Camouflage (Krzysztof Zanussi, Poland, 1977; 106m)
How Do We Live (Marcel Lozinski, Poland, 1981; 83m)
Interrogation (Ryszard Bugajski, Poland, 1982; 118m)
Teddy Bear (Stanislaw Bareja, Poland, 1981; 111m)
Top Dog (Feliks Falk, Poland, 1978; 104m)
Without Anesthesia, a.k.a. Rough Treatment (Andrzej Wajda, Poland, 1978; 117m)
Without Love (Barbara Sass, Poland, 1980; 103m)
A Woman Alone (Agnieszka Holland, Poland, 1981-87; 110m)

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