CNU hosts free series featuring Russian, East European films

News Release - Sept. 25, 2006

Public's Contact for publication:
Dr. Margarita Marinova
CNU Department of English
(757) 594-7032

Media Contact:
Karen L. Gill
Office of Communications and Public Relations
(757) 594-8428

(NEWPORT NEWS, Va.) — Christopher Newport University is presenting a film series this fall on campus that highlights cinema after the fall of the Berlin Wall.

The Russian and East European Film Series strives to provide a glimpse of Eastern Europe's contemporary reality through the films of young filmmakers from that region. Sponsored by the English Department Outreach Committee, each film will be followed by audience discussion.

This film series is free and open to the public.

•  7 p.m., Oct. 25, Ratcliff Hall, Room 112, “Good Bye, Lenin” (2003, director Wolfgang Becker): Set in East Germany in 1989, this film explores a touching story about socialism, love, and what family will do for one another. To protect his fragile mother from a fatal shock after a long coma, a young man must keep her from learning that her beloved nation of East Germany as she knew it has disappeared.
  
  
•  7 p.m., Nov. 1, Ratcliff Hall, Room 112, “Bored in Brno” (2003, director Vladimir Moravek): Two socially awkward young people from separate towns meet and begin exchanging letters. After a year, they make a date to have dinner. Friends, relatives, and neighbors leap to offer the couple erotic advice, providing ample comic grist for this romantic charmer.
  
  
• 7 p.m., Nov. 8, Ratcliff Hall, Room 112, “Night Watch” (2004, director Timur Bekmambetov): Among normal humans live the "Others" possessing various supernatural powers. They are divided into the forces of light and the forces of the dark, who signed a truce several centuries ago to end a devastating battle. Since then, the forces of light govern the day while the night belongs to their dark opponents. In modern day Moscow, the dark Others actually roam the night as vampires, while a "Night Watch" of light forces, among them Anton, the movie's protagonist, try to control them and limit their outrage.

These events, dates and times are subject to change. For updated information closer to event date, contact Dr. Margarita Marinova, CNU Department of English, (757) 594-7032.