by Sam Juliano
With the ‘revelation’ today that Lincoln Center’s Walter Reade Theatre is presently conducting a rare retrospective of Czecholovakian New Wave giant Frantisek Vlacil, Big Apple cineastes must seriously consider revamping their schedules from today until the final day of the venue on February 10. The stupendous event, (which actually commenced this past Wednesday, February 2) is titled “The Fantastic World of Frantisek Vlacil” and it will include eleven feature films, one short and one documentary (covering the director’s work) and appearances by Czech actor Jan Kacer (Valley of the Bees) and noted critic Peter Hames (author of The Czechoslovak New Wave) both of whom will share introductions to a few key films. Universally celebrated for his visual poetry, medieval tapestries and the conflict between conformity and free expression, Vlacil’s popularity has risen in recent years, largely after the DVD release of his masterpiece Marketa Lazarova, a film that in 1998 was voted the greatest Czech film of all-time by that country’s critics. The towering three-hour epic will be screened for the second and final time in this festival on Saturday evening, February 5 at 8:00 P.M. This is the first time the director’s work has been covered comprehensively, and excellent prints are promised. Three film passes are available for $27 for non-members, and each film will be shown twice. Allan Fish named Marketa Lazarova one of his top three films during the WitD 60’s countdown and yours truly penned an exceedingly favorable review for Valley of the Bees months back.
Due to the glorious but unexpected intrusion of this incredible festival on my personal schedule this weekend (where it complicates the Fritz Lang in Hollywood commitment, I was be unable to offer any updates, aside from the one for Tony d’Ambra’s FilmsNoir.net review of a Lang film that coincides with my current viewings. I ask that all accept my apologies for this lamentable development which will now clash with the work that will be needed to complete the review I have started on the Broadway show of Driving Miss Daisy, seen on Thursday night as well as the larger than usual time investment that must now go into the diary proper.
The regular updated diary links will resume on Monday, February 14. In any case, I will still re-publish last week’s links, even if a number of them have been supplanted since then by all our blogger friends.
Here is the link to “The Fantastic World of Frantisek Vlacil” festival:
http://www.filmlinc.com/wrt/onsale/vlacil.html
It’d be nice if they’d take this show on the road. Unfortunately, the chances of that happening are probably none, with slim sitting this one out. Are you planning to catch a number of films, or any particular ones?
Hey Jean!
Vlacil’s greatest film, MARKETA LAZAROVA is the most important one to see as it’s an epic widescreen film that was made for the big screen. I own the Region 2 Second Run DVD and have seen this staggering masterpiece three times, but never on a big screen. I will see this tomorrow evening at 8:00, after seeing SIRIOUS at 2:30, the extremely essential VALLEY OF THE BEES (which I’ve also seen and own on DVD) at 4:00, and a panel discussion/documentary on Vlacil at 6:00. So tomorrow I will leave, think and breathe Vlacil for about 10 hours. (Luckily the Lang Festival will be showing the same two films tomorrow that I will be seeing tonight (MAN HUNT and THE MINISTRY OF FEAR) so there isn’t a conflict.
Sunday I am planning to see ADELHEID at 6:00 after SMOKE IN THE POTATO FIELDS at 2:00 and the mega-essential THE DEVIL’S TRAP at 4:00, but I may have to miss ADELHEID (seen and owned by me on DVD) to negotiate the two Langs at the Film Forum.
Other than that I am hoping to make THE SHADOW OF THE FERN on Thursday and one other film on Wednesday, but again it all depends on how I juggle with the Lang Festival. In a sense, the Vlacil Festival is more important as 7 of the 11 films being shown are NOT available on DVD nor have ever been in any form.
Jean: If I might ask, what region are you from? I am not sure if this remarkable program will hit the road, but I am sure hoping it does. Perhaps it may eventually hit Chicago or LA, for example.
Many thanks for stopping by my friend.
Jean: I just checked out your site VELVETY BLACKNESS. I will be most happy to add it to our bllogroll later tonight, and I’ll definitely be stopping by!
I’m in southern California, so LA would be nice. I don’t know what I would pick to see. You say Marketa is a staggering masterpiece – but it’s also quite funny, and more than a little beautiful. As opposed to staggering it puts a spring in my step. I think, given the choice, I would see The Devil’s Trap, Marketa Lazarová, and Mag. I haven’t seen the other two, but I have good feelings about them. Smoke on the Potato Fields does sound nice, though. Anyway, have fun, and if you get a chance – put in a good word for LA.
Thanks for responding Jean. I am hoping the Festival goes west! As it is I went on a rampage yesterday and saw all five films being shown, and will be leaving shortly to see four more today. With two more for Wednesday and one for Thursday I will have seen every film by festival’s end except for THE WHITE DOVE, which I’ve seen and own on DVD. I am planning amassive post on Vlacil for Monday morning, February 14th. There were some laughs during MARKETA in the sell-out audience at Walter Reade, where some were sold tickets and had to sit in the ailes for the three-hour film. The print was absolutely stunning and it looked magnificent on that giant screen.
Thanks again for the embellishments my friend.
“I ask that all accept my apologies for this lamentable development which will now clash with the work that will be needed to complete the review I have started on the Broadway show of Driving Miss Daisy, seen on Thursday night as well as the larger than usual time investment that must now go into the diary proper.”
Not necessary! Have a blast, just promise some reviews huh?
Thanks very much Jamie!
Yes, I plan to have a full Vlacil (yeah I said the same about Ozu, I know) just as I plan to offer a summary of the Langs. I am simply doing tooo much and not leaving myself with enough time to report. It’s insanity.
Sam go have a good time and I look forward to what you have to share. Don’t be worrying about blog links! You always out due yourself as it is. So away with you! Enjoy! Terrill
Many thanks Terrill. But I will still try to make at least a few revisions by late tonight. Ha!
Sam, I found out about the festival in the New Yorker I got in the mail yesterday, for all the good it does me up in Albany. But I think I have Valley of the Bees somewhere on my Netflix queue, so maybe I’ll move it up and have a virtual festival of my own.
Thanks Samuel. I wish you were down here for sure. Four of Vlacil’s films are out on DVD. I’ll speak to you soon by e mail.
Just have a great time Sam, and don’t worry about posting links… or about replying to this comment!:)
Thanks Judy! Well, I’m half-way there, and am leaving in a matter of minutes. I stopped at my school to drop something off with a teacher working on a special project, but I’ll be heading over to the Walter Reade soon.
That is totally amazing!!!!
I remember your effusive praise for BEES and Allan’s 60’s placement…
You must be in NIRVANA!!!!!!
Indeed Dennis, and BEES and MARKETA provided a veritable feast for the eyes! Many thanks.
Sam, there’s absolutely no need for apologies. I’m really glad to know that you’ll be getting to savour the works of Czech master Vlacil. Hoping to hear more about it soon!!!
Thanks Shubhajit. I am planning a detailed recap for next week.
So what are we talking here? 8 Vlacil movies over today and tomorrow? Or 7? I know the two Langs that are playing tomorrow are also playing on Monday-so Sunday’s clear- and today’s Langs are apparently the two you were going to watch last night. So I would think today is clear too. You can do a lot of damage in two days! I hope Lucille’s game.
Frank I saw 5 yesterday and 4 for today, with 3 more for mid-week.
Insanity, guilty as charged.
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