Russian Film Series Fall 2005
White Hall 206
7:30 PM
 
       
 
Thursday
Oct. 13

The Return:  Directed by Andrei Zvyagintsev (2003)
 One of the most widely acclaimed directing debuts in recent years, winning numerous international awards including the Golden Lion at the 2004 Venice Film Festival. In contemporary Russia, young brothers Vanya and Andrei have grown a deep attachment to each other to make up for their fatherless childhood. One day the boys are shocked to discover their father has returned after a twelve year absence. With their mother's uneasy blessing, they set out on what they believe will be a fishing vacation with their taciturn father. 105 minutes, in Russian with English subtitles.

  Thursday
Oct. 27 		The Rider Named Death: Directed by Karen Shakhnazarov (2004)
Based on the autobiographical novel The Pale Horse (1909) by Boris Savinkov. In the beginning of the 20th century, Russia was shocked by a series of assassinations carried out by the "fighting organization," a socialist revolutionary group that directed acts of terrorism against various high officials of the state in different cities. The group is headed by George, and includes bomb maker Erne, who is devoted to him, and bomb throwers Vanya, Henry and Fyodor. As they try to achieve their main objective -- the murder of Grand Duke Sergey Aleksandrovich -- the story reveals their feelings and aspirations. 106 minutes, in Russian with English subtitles.
 

Thursday
Nov. 3

Beshkempir: The Adopted Son: Directed by Aktan Abdykalykov (1998)
Beshkempir is an exquisitely composed and photographed coming-of-age tale set in a Kyrgyz village. Beshkempir (Mirlan Abdykalykov) is just like any other kid - playing in mud, getting into trouble, experiencing the first pangs of sexuality - until a fight with his best friend leads to the revelation that he was adopted. Director of Photography: Khassan Kydyraliev. Starring Mirlan Abdykalykov, Albina Imasheva, Adir Abilkassimov, Bakit Dzhylkychiev. 81 minutes, color and black and white, in Kyrgyz with English subtitles.
   

Russian Film Series Fall 2005
White Hall 101
8:00 PM

 
  Saturday
Nov. 14		 There Once Was a Singing Blackbird: Directed by Otar Iosseliani (1970)
Gia (Gela Kandelaki) is an aspiring composer who is constantly distracted by the world around him. He drifts from one chance encounter to another, sometimes making fortuitous connections with people, sometimes narrowly averting disaster. A captivating comedy and a masterpiece of Georgian cinema from Otar Iosseliani, a director whose works are too little seen in the U.S. 78 minutes, black and white, in Georgian with English subtitles.