On September 29–30, 1941, Sonderkommando 4a of the Einsatzgruppe C, assisted by two battalions of the Police Regiment South and Ukrainian Auxiliary Police, and without any resistance from the local population, shot dead 33,771 Jews in the Babi Yar Ravine northwest of Kyiv. This film reconstructs the historical context of the tragedy through archival footage documenting the German occupation of Ukraine and the subsequent decade. The documentary powerfully speaks to the country’s precarious present, as well as its past.
Event WebsiteJoin us for the Bay Area premiere of 'The Invasion,' a compelling documentary by Sergei Loznitsa that chronicles Ukraine's struggle against the Russian invasion. This film intricately portrays the resilience of the Ukrainian people through personal narratives, revealing their everyday lives amidst the ongoing conflict. As a powerful statement on national identity and endurance, the film documents not only the warfare but the indomitable spirit of civilian life in Ukraine. Don't miss this poignant exploration of human rights and resilience in the face of adversity.
In this compelling film by Ukrainian director Sergei Loznitsa, the devastation of World War II urban bombing campaigns is meticulously explored through archival footage. Inspired by W. G. Sebald's essay, the film raises critical questions about the morality of using civilian populations in warfare and whether mass destruction can ever be justified for higher ideals. This timely inquiry resonates deeply with current global contexts, making it a must-see event. The film features a score by Christiaan Verbeek, enhancing its emotional impact.
State Funeral (Gosudarstvennyye pokhorony) is a film directed by Sergei Loznitsa that presents unique archival footage from the funeral of Joseph Stalin, who died on March 5, 1953. The event shocked the Soviet Union and was attended by tens of thousands of mourners. This film showcases the funeral ceremony, described by Pravda as 'the Great Farewell', providing insight into the impactful legacy of Stalin's regime and its resonance through contemporary times. Accompanied by discussions featuring key figures like Sergei Loznitsa and Anne Nesbet, the event aims to deepen the audience's understanding of this historical moment.
G. W. Pabst’s second film with Louise Brooks (after Pandora’s Box) was ruthlessly attacked by the censors and suffered merciless cuts everywhere it was shown. The restoration of this fascinating film was an international effort involving many cooperating film archives. Brooks plays a pharmacist’s daughter, Thymiane, who bears a child out of wedlock and is shunted off to a home for delinquent girls while her seducer is kept on as her father’s assistant. She escapes and finds refuge in a brothel, where the madam’s compassion and the milieu of overt sexuality offer a striking contrast with the cruel hypocrisy of her bourgeois family.