I am reposting this from a CUNY (City University of New York) professors
mailing list as I know those of you in New York City will be interested in
this information. A documentary on the event that inspired a whole
generation of revolutionaries, including Marx and leaders of the 1917
October Russian revolution.
From: Susan.O'[email protected]
Date: Tue, 17 Jan 2006 13:03:03 -0500
To: [email protected]
Noted French historian Joan Scott is speaking on Saturday, January
21, with the film La Commune at the Center for Worker Education,
presented by the Labor Goes to the Movies series, sponsored by the PSC.
LA COMMUNE (PARIS 1871)
BY FILMMAKER PETER WATKINS
Rare Showing Includes Commentary by Dr. Joan Wallach Scott
The story of the socialist uprising of the Parisian population against
a centralized and militaristic government is recreated in Watkins'
blending of documentary, political, historical and post-modern film
genres in this exceptionally critical and effective narrative. The film
presents "breaking news" from the 1871 battle lines, as well as
distinctive "you are there" media coverage from both Socialist and
Royalist TV stations. La Commune represents a workers' government
facing injustice, violence and collective amnesia. A six-hour film, La
Commune is rarely screened.
The film has a six-hour running time and will begin at 1:00PM on
Saturday, January 21st at the Center for Worker Education (CUNY),
99 Hudson Street, 6th Floor (1/2 to Franklin Street or A/C to
Chambers).
An intermission is scheduled and refreshments will be served.
Dr. Scott's presentation and Q&A will follow the film.
Susan O'Malley
Chair, UFS
Re: La Commune by Peter Watkins
I just wanted to piggyback on this notice from Susan and the PSC. This
film is absolutely incredible. I believe that FWIW, Film Comment rated it
one of the best films ever. If you are interested in the Paris Commune (I am),
you have to see this. (English subtitles) But if you are interested in the
process of documentary film, especially on TV, you also have to see
this. Think CNN covers the Paris Commune in 1871--"live" interviews," the
whole bit. The whole thing was filmed in a huge warehouse outside Paris but
the street scenes are absolutely believable. By the end I was crying and I
understood--finally!--why this subject has been erased from French
history.
Six hours long--I saw it perhaps a year ago in two parts at the last really
pure place to see film, the Anthology Film Archives. I plan on going
again.
Bring food, but go!
Lenore Beaky
[email protected]
