Contemporary European cinema is alive and well, if not too visible in mainstream American movie theaters. This program presents 18 contemporary European films that have made a name for themselves on the festival circuit and with critics, but quickly disappeared from US film screens and are largely unknown to the American public. It brings these films back and introduces some titles that have not yet been seen by the general public, especially works by younger or less established directors. Films will be introduced by special guests, and directors Vaclav Marhoul (April 16), Anna Faur (April 18), and Serge Bozon (April 19) will be present for Q&A sessions after their screenings.
Czech films broke out from behind the Iron Curtain in the '60s with the films of the directors of the so called Czechoslovak New Wave. Ever since, the access of Czech films to foreign screens has been made easier by this important movement in cinematic history. A couple of years ago another European national cinema was praised with the title – the Romanian New Wave – and the focus has turned to its directors.
On April 17, a panel discussion will attempt to shed light on the discoveries and legacies of the cinematic "New Waves" and the presentation of foreign cinema in America in general. The panel will be chaired by Richard Pena, director of the New York Film Festival and the Film Society of Lincoln Center and professor of film at Columbia University. He will be joined by A.O. Scott, film critic of the New York Times; John Vanco, vice president and general manager of IFC Center; Jytte Jensen, MoMA curator of film and member of selection committee of the New Directors/New Films festival; Eugene Hernandez, editor in chief and cofounder of indieWire.com; and Florence Almozini, BAMcinématek program director, film professionals who bring foreign films to New York, screens or write about them in the media.
In collaboration with RCINY, the selection features The Paper Will Be Blue by Radu Muntean, which has been seldom presented in NYC, and Cristian Nemescu's celebrated California Dreamin' (Endless). The screenings, to take place on April 20 and April 23, respectively, will be introduced by film critic Mihai Chirilov.
The program highlights include films that appeared in the line-ups of major international film festivals such as Delta, California Dreamin' (Endless), Blind Loves, Il Divo, La France, All Is Forgiven, and Import/Export, which were all presented in competition or in other sections of the Cannes International Film Festival. Among the official selections at the Toronto IFF were most of the above titles as well as Forever Never Anywhere, Yella, and The Session Is Open. Several of the screened films have also been distributed in American cinemas and were cited on best lists of critics and on indieWire.com's list of best distributed and undistributed films.
Disappearing Act: PROGRAM
All films in original languages with English subtitles unless noted otherwise. Details on each film follow the screening schedule available in the Czech Center dedicated website page. Admission free. Reservation only for opening night and panel discussion at http://www.czechcenter.com/ or reservations@czechcenter.com.
Thu, April 16 6:30 pm Tobruk (dir. Vaclav Marhoul, 2008, Czech Republic)
followed by Q&A with the director
8:30 pm Opening Party with screening of short film Plastic Bags (Kese/Tasky, dir. Milos Tomic, 2007, Serbia/Czech Republic)
Fri, April 17
6:30 pm Panel Discussion: "European Cinema from New Wave to New Wave," with Richard Pena and guests 8 pm Delta (dir. Kornel Mundruczo, 2008, Hungary)
Sat, April 18
11 am Vaclav (dir. Jiri Vejdelek, 2007, Czech Republic) 1 pm It's Me, Now (Teraz ja, dir. Anna Jadowska, 2006, Poland)
3 pm Blind Loves (Slepe lasky, dir. Juraj Lehotsky, 2008, Slovakia)
6 pm Forever Never Anywhere (Immer nie am Meer, dir. Antonin Svoboda, 2007, Austria)
8 pm Girls (Lanyok, dir. Anna Faur, 2007, Hungary)
followed by Q&A with the director
Sun, April 19
1 pm Vacation (Ferien, dir. Thomas Arslan, 2007, Germany) 3 pm La France (dir. Serge Bozon, 2007, France)
followed by Q&A with the director
5:30 pm Music (Muzika, dir. Juraj Nvota, 2008, Slovakia)
8 pm Il Divo (dir. Paolo Sorrentino, 2008, Italy)
Mon, April 20 8:45 pm The Paper Will Be Blue (Hirtia va fi albastra, dir. Radu Muntean, 2006, Romania)
introduced by film critic Mihai Chirilov
Tue, April 21
6:30 pm Yella (dir. Christian Petzold, 2007, Germany) 8:15 pm Scratch (Rysa, dir. Michal Rosa, 2008, Poland)
Wed, April 22 6:30 pm All Is Forgiven (Tout est pardonne, dir. Mia Hansen-Love, 2007, France)
8:30 pm Import/Export (dir. Ulrich Seidl, 2007, Austria)
Thu, April 23 6:30 pm The Session Is Open (L'udienza e aperta, dir. Vincenzo Marra, 2007, Italy)
8 pm California Dreamin' (Endless) (California Dreamin' (Nesfarsit), dir. Cristian Nemescu, 2007, Romania)
introduced by film critic Mihai Chirilov
The series is curated by Irena Kovarova and organized by the Czech Center New York in partnership with the Austrian Cultural Forum New York, the Consulate General of the Slovak Republic with the support of the +421 Foundation, the Cultural Service of the Embassy of France, the Goethe-Institut New York, the Hungarian Cultural Center in conjunction with the Extremely Hungary festival, the Italian Cultural Institute, the Polish Cultural Institute, and the Romanian Cultural Institute.
[Image: Still from the film "The Paper Will Be Blue", directed by Radu Muntean]
Czech Center New York 321 East 73rd Street, NYC
FRI, April 17, 6:30 pm Panel: European Cinema from New Wave to New Wave
MON, April 20, 8:45 pm THE PAPER WILL BE BLUE
THU, April 23, 8:00 pm
CALIFORNIA DREAMIN' (ENDLESS)
