Czech and Slovak Cinema ‑ A Reflection of History and Culture on 17 May 2008

The Czech and Slovak people are endowed with a rich and distinguished cinematic legacy. This presentation will give an overview of critical moments in Czech & Slovak history and culture through the lenses of its notable film directors. It will cover the major historical periods and how they affected artistic and sociological expression, touching on the eras from post World War I, through World War II, to Communism, the liberal humanism of the renowned "New Wave" film genre of the 1960's, to Normalization, and finally to today's post‑Communist period. We'll view selected film scenes from each era that includes the work of Czech directors Milos Forman, Vera Chytilova, Elmar Klos, and Jan Hrebejk. The Slovak directors featured are Jan Kadar, Juraj Jakubisco (the Slovak Fellini), Dusan Hanak, and Martin Sulik. A highlight of the presentation includes scenes from the powerful "Shop On Main Street" of 1965, a look back to the Holocaust in Slovakia. A Slovak/Czech co‑production, "Shop" was internationally acclaimed and won an Oscar for best foreign film.

Susan Marcinkus, Producer/Director is Co‑Producer of Manifest Films, in Chicago and Los Angeles. Over the last fifteen years she's worked in Hollywood as director, producer and editor on award winning film and TV projects. She served as segment producer on the popular show Rescue 911 and on Safe Streets. She was associate producer/editor of the feminist feature documentary, Right Out of History‑The Making of the Dinner Party, chronicling the process of Judy Chicago's acclaimed mixed media installation. Marcinkus directed & produced the dramatic short, Second Thoughts, winner of the CINE Golden Eagle Award. She worked as editor on the OSCAR AWARD winning dramatic film Board and Care, and with Francis Ford Coppola and Godfrey Reggio's groundbreaking feature documentary, Koyaanisquatsi, Life Out of Balance. She was also co‑producer on Late Curtain, a dramatic short & Chicago International Film Festival award winner. As producer at the Jewish Television Network, she was responsible for the urban affairs series Critical Issues Facing L.A. and other news shows. Her personal documentary film, Pictures from the Old Country, chronicles her quest to uncover the mysteries of her Slovak heritage and identity. It's had numerous airings on PBS TV and has played at conferences and universities across the U.S. and central Europe. Marcinkus holds a BFA from the University of Wisconsin and an MFA in Film/TV Directing from the American Film Institute, in Los Angeles.

The meeting on May 17th will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, 150

S. Ashland Ave. and W. Elm Ave., LaGrange, IL (western suburb of Chicago):

located 2 blocks west of LaGrange Road (US45) and 5 blocks south of W. Ogden

Ave (Hwy 34)

This Saturday event is free for visitors and guests and starts at 1:30 pm.

CSAGSI has over 1000 members in Chicago and all its Suburbs

For additional information contact on our meetings and speakers contact:

Marge Sladek‑Stueckemann 1.847.362.9036 mdstueck@aol.com

http://www.CSAGSI.org

CSAGSI is group of 1000+ members, not just for Illinois research of Czech & Slovak heritage: add the Austrian Empire, Bohemians, Carpatho‑Rusyn, Ruthenia, Moravians, Silesia, Hungarian Kingdom, and the USA