Visual Anthropology Film Series for the 2014 ASEEES Convention Announced
ASEEES is delighted to announce the Visual Anthropology Film Series as part of the upcoming 2014 ASEEES Annual Convention in San Antonio, TX, Nov. 20-23.
The Film Series takes the convention theme, "25 Years After the Fall of the Berlin Wall: Historical Legacies and New Beginnings," as an invitation to reflect on the changes in documentary films produced in the formerly unified region. All films presented in the series in one way or another can be seen as case studies of visual anthropology. The tools of documentary cinema are used as methods for understanding distinct cultures, either foreign or native. Cinema has always had a privileged position as an ideological art form on the territory of the former Eastern Bloc, and these films showcase different approaches to documentary representations, starting from the early 1930 to the present day. The film series is followed by the roundtable “Documentary Imaginary and Post-Socialist Cinematic Legacies” on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
We thank the members of the the Working Group on Cinema and Television for putting together a fantastic film series. Register for the Convention Today!
Program
The Heart of Asia (Afghanistan) (Serdtse Azii (Afganistan)), 1929, USSR, 60 mins, dir. Vladimir Erofeev
This is a rare opportunity to see one of the most famous Soviet ethnographic films that for decades was thought to be lost. Inspired by the German Kulturfilm tradition, Afghanistan is a compelling counterpoint to the more famous Soviet montage tradition.
In Samarkand (Po Samarkandu), 1930, USSR, 10 mins, dir. Konstantin Gavriushin
This short is another example of a Soviet Kulturfilm, which shows the influence of the Soviet power on the development of Uzbekistan’s ancient capital.
City on Islands (Miasto na wyspach), 1958, Poland, 9 mins, dir. Jerzy Dmowski, Bohdan Kosiński
An example of the Polish Black Series, this film raises social issues of post-war reconstruction of Warsaw.
From Powiśle... (Z Powiśla…), 1958, Poland, 10 mins, dir. Kazimierz Karabasz
Blending social themes with lyrical narrative, the film looks at the post-war problems in an old suburb of Warsaw, but eschews any social criticism and presents a case of nostalgia for the old times.
The Coast (Krasts), 1963, USSR-Latvia, 21 mins., dir. Aivars Freimanis
Based on long-term observation in a fishing village on the Latvian coast, the film presents a tender picture of a bygone era. Lyrical voice-over narration and visual metaphors make it a fascinating blend of poetic documentary tropes and Latvian folklore motifs.
Castles in the Sand (Zamki na peske), 1968, USSR-Kirghizia, 16 mins., dir. Algimantas Vidugiris
One of the highest achievements of the new wave of Kirghiz cinema, which emerged in the mid-1960s. This story of a boy building sandcastles on the shores of the Issyk-Kul Lake becomes a documentary parable on the tensions between an artist and society.
Barzakh, 2011, Lithuania, Finland, 59 mins., dir. Mantas Kvedaravicius
The film gives voice to the victims of torture and violence against civilians in Chechnya in the wake of the Second Chechen War.
marxism today (prologue), 2010, United Kingdom, 36 mins, dir. Phil Collins
Through interviews with former teachers of Marxism Leninism, the film questions the legacy of Marxism after the fall of the Berlin wall.
Leninland, 2013, Russia, 52 mins, dir. Askold Kurov
Exploration of communism’s legacy and historical memory in contemporary Russia through a look at day-to-day life at the Lenin Museum in Gorki, the largest museum in the country dedicated exclusively to Lenin’s legacy.
SCHEDULE
Visual Anthropology Film Series I: Thursday, November 20, 5:00-6:45
Introduction: Joshua Malitsky
The Heart of Asia (Afghanistan) (Serdtse Azii (Afganistan)), 1929, USSR, 60 mins, dir. Vladimir Erofeev
In Samarkand (Po Samarkandu), 1930, USSR, 10 mins, dir. Konstantin Gavriushin
Q&A: Vincent Bohlinger and Joshua Malitsky
Visual Anthropology Film Series II: Friday, November 21, 10:00-11:45
Introduction: Raisa Sidenova
City on Islands (Miasto na wyspach), 1958, Poland, 9 mins, dir. Jerzy Dmowski, Bohdan Kosiński
From Powiśle... (Z Powiśla…), 1958, Poland, 10 mins, dir. Kazimierz Karabasz
The Coast (Krasts), 1963, USSR-Latvia, 21 mins., dir. Aivars Freimanis
Castles in the Sand (Zamki na peske), 1968, USSR-Kirghizia, 16 mins., dir. Algimantas Vidugiris
Q&A: Kevin M.F. Platt and James Steffen
Visual Anthropology Film Series III, Friday, November 21, 3:45-5:30
Introduction: Erin Alpert
Barzakh, 2011, Lithuania, Finland, 59 mins., dir. Mantas Kvedaravicius
Q&A: Erin Alpert and Serguei Oushakine
Visual Anthropology Film Series IV, Saturday, November 22, 1:30-3:15
Introduction: Maria Sidorkina
marxism today (prologue), 2010, United Kingdom, 36 mins, dir. Phil Collins
Leninland, 2013, Russia, 52 mins, dir. Askold Kurov
Roundtable “Documentary Imaginary and Post-Socialist Cinematic Legacies," Saturday, November 22, 3:30-5:15
Chair: Raisa Sidenova, Yale U
Participants: Erin Alpert, U of Pittsburgh; Lilya Kagankovsky, U of Illinois; John McKay, Yale U; Joan Neuberger, U of Texas, Austin
