APRIL 23 - 7PM screening via provided links; 8:45pm ZOOM Q&A with A.S. Hamrah

THE FABULOUS BARON MUNCHAUSEN (Baron Prášil)

Director: Karel Zeman, 1962, 83min, Czechoslovakia

With Miloš Kopecký, Rudolf Jelínek, Jana Brejchová

WHERE TO WATCH THE MOVIE: Free to watch with 2-week trial at Criterion Channel HERE or rent/buy at iTunes HERE. You can watch the movie before the suggested time as well!

A classic of film animation, director Karel Zeman belongs among the greatest innovators of the genre especially in the realm of combining live action with animation and special effects. THE FABULOUS BARON MUNCHAUSEN about the boastful time traveler, takes us and his young companion from outer space on an adventurous journey to many corners of the world. Typically considered a family film, viewing this fantasy as an adult offers a chance to delve into the film unabashedly and appreciate its visual artistry with cleverly incorporated references. Co-writer Jiří Brdečka, the author of another masterpiece, LEMONADE JOE, gave the film many a humorous moment delivered by some of the best comedy actors of the era – namely Miloš Kopecký, Jana Brejchová, and Jan Werich among others. Zdeněk Liška’s music underscores the action with great wit.

Special guest of the post-screening ZOOM Q&A is A.S. Hamrah, New York based film critic for the Baffler. A collection of his film reviews titled THE EARTH DIES STREAMING was published by n+1 books.

The series is curated by Irena Kovarova, New York based film programmer and founder of Comeback Company. Visit comebackcompany.com/#about for her full biography.

--------

LIGHT STREAMING (film series with Q&A)

Thursdays, April 23 - May 14, 2020

7PM film online screenings followed by a ZOOM Q&A with special guests

Screen selected films at 7PM in the comfort of your homes via provided links and then tune in for the post-screening ZOOM Q&A!

Moderated by the series curator, Irena Kovarova (approximate start of the Q&A at 8:45pm depending on the film’s running time).

Let us bring some light into your lives with a lighter film fare – a series of 4 comedies made in Czechoslovakia and spanning three decades. The program introduces staples of the genre ranging from parody and slap stick to satire. Although very popular in their country of origin, the selected films are less known internationally. But not for lack of mastery or online availability to the American audience. The opening film, Karel Zeman’s The Fabulous Baron Munchausen, has delighted cinema goers since the 1960s and we’ll discuss it with film critic A.S. Hamrah. His recent book The Earth Dies Streaming, a collection of film reviews, is a treasured tome of many film programmers for its sharp wit and acerbic humor. We will continue with the parody Adela Has Not Had Supper Yet from director Oldřich Lipský discussed with translator Alex Zucker, and the following week we will screen an adaptation of Bohumil Hrabal’s stories from director Jiří Menzel, The Snowdrop Festival. The post-screening talk of that film will welcome artist/filmmaker Bara Jichova Tyson together with strategist Richard Tyson. Closing the series is The Prague Five from director Tomáš Vorel, a hilarious satire of the late period Communist regime. Jonathan Owen, a British scholar and film critic of great knowledge of Central European cinema, will offer his take on the comedy and the entire series.

4/23 - THE FABULOUS BARON MUNCHAUSEN, Q&A with A.S. Hamrah

4/30 - ADELA HAS NOT HAD SUPPER YET, Q&A with Alex Zucker

5/7 - THE SNOWDROP FESTIVAL, Q&A with Bara Jichova Tyson and Richard Tyson

5/14 - THE PRAGUE FIVE, Q&A with Jonathan Owen

REGISTERED ATTENDEES WILL RECEIVE AN EMAIL WITH THE LINK TO JOIN THE ZOOM Q&A 2 HOURS BEFORE THE SCHEDULED EVENT. PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL INBOX TWO HOURS BEFORE THE EVENT.

MAKE SURE TO WATCH THE FILM BEFORE THE 8:45PM ZOOM Q&A!

ZOOM Attendees:

- Your microphones and cameras will be turned off by the host for the duration of the ZOOM. Please keep them turned off unless the speaker invites you to turn them on.

- Q&A: We encourage you to ask your questions by typing them into the group chat (Chat icon on bottom panel) at any time during the event. The speakers will answer questions during the Q&A and may invite you to turn on your microphone and camera for discussion.

- Recording Disclaimer: This ZOOM meeting will be recorded and posted online. By participating in this ZOOM meeting, you consent to the audio and video recording of the ZOOM meeting and its publication on Czech Center New York social media, and release Czech Center New York from any liability connected with the A/V recording of this ZOOM meeting. If you do not want to appear in the recording, only ask your questions via the group chat and do not turn on your camera.