Feature Films and Documentaries
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Kahlo: Portrait of an Artist
1 VHS cassette (62 mins.): color. Spanish with Engliish subtitles, Feature film. Mexico, 1983.
"Frida Kahlo lived and worked at the center of the Mexican renaissance in the 1920s and 1930s. At the age of 16 Frida was involved in a road accident that left her in constant pain and subject to a series of operations. Her paintings reflect her constant struggle with her ravaged body. At the same time she was hailed as a surrealist by the artist Andre Breton, who described her art as "playing alternately at being absolutely pure and aboslutely pernicious." For her husband, the cubist and muralist Diego Rivera, her painting "was the greatest proof of the renaissance of the art of Mexico."
Kaos
Paolo and Vittorio Taviani. 2 VHS cassettes (3 hours 8 minutes): color. Italian with English subtitles, Feature film. Italy, 1984. Actors: Omero Muti, Ciccio Ingrassia.
"Freely adapted from Novelle per un anno the fifteen volume collection of stories by Luigi Pirandello." "Kaos, based on five stories by author-playwright Luigi Pirandello, deals with peasant life in Sicily at the turn of the century, with every-day people in mystical situations. 'Part fairy tale, part pagan romp' (Peter Rainer, L.A. Herald Examiner), the scenarios range from the gothic ('The Other Son') to the comedic ('The Jar') to the sublimely nostalgic ('A Talk With Mother'). Like the best of folktales, they magically transcend time and place to represent the fears, joys and sorrow in us all. The Tavianis accomplish this with a storytelling style that is unadorned yet grand. Blending remembrance within remembrance, like Chinese boxes of memory, they have given us a warm and embracing celebration of life." (from the video jacket)
Kin-dza-dza
Kinovideobedinyeniye "Kroopnie plan". 1 VHs cassette (127 mins.): color. Russian feature film, no subtitles. Russia and satelite nations, 1996.
"Spetsalni priz za izobrazityelnooyooh kontseptsiyooh na mezdynarodnom kinofectivalye v Rhio-De-Zhanyero (1987)." (from the video jacket)
Knife in the Head
Reinhard Hauff. 1 VHS cassette: color. Germany with English subtitles. 1978. Actors: Bruno Gnz, Angela Winkler, Hans Christian Blech.
"This griping psychological thriller stars Bruno Ganz as Hoffman, a scientist who one night goes searching for his estraged wife. He srrives at the youth center where she works, only to be caught in a police raid on the radicals who hang out there. In the struggle, he was shot in the head. The damage leaves Hoffman partially paralyzed, unable to speak and without memory. He must start over from scratch, rebuilding his life and his entire perrsonality. Both the police and radicals try to manipulate Hoffman for their own ends, while he desperately tries to uncover the truth behind his shooting."
Kontract
Krzysztof Zanussi. 1 VHS cassette (114 mins.): color. Polish, Feature film. Poland, 1988.
"This picture, written and directed by Zanussi is a criticism of certain groups of Polish society represented by the family of a highly respected cardiologist and a provincial dignitary. The two famlies are linked by the marital contract of their offspring." (from the video jacket)
Kremlin, The
George A. Vicas. 1 VHS cassette (60 mins.): color. English.
"The heart of Soviet Russia, the center of the Communist World is embodied in the Kremlin. Now for the first time ever, an American film crew is granted permission to enter and discover the rich treasures and history of the government and system whose ideology has swept half the modern world. From it's early beginnings to it's present base of power, this fascinating look at the Kremlin comes to us from award winning filmmaker Lucy Jarvis and told through actual Kremlin officials."
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Loire, La
1 VHS cassette (57 mins.): color. French, 1991
"The longest river in France and the most dangerous, the Loire is neither as spectacular a body of water as the Mississippi nor as busy a waterway as the Rhine. The Loire is instead a portrait of France and of its history: St. Martin, apostle to the Frenchh; Gregory of Tours; the great kings, from Louis XI to François II; the great chatauux and the women who ruled them; the poets and 'word painters' from Rabelais and Ronsard to Du Bellay and Balzac."
Latin American Historical Personalities
1 VHS cassette (30 mins.): color. English, Documentary. USA, 1997.
Briefly narrated historical sketches of (in order as they appear in video): Christopher Columbus, Pope Alexander VI, Pedro Cabral, Ferdinand Magellan, Vasco Nunez de Balboa, Hernando Cortéz, Montezuma, Don Pedro Alvarado, Francisco Pizarro, Pedro de Valdivia, Pedro de Mendoza, Don Juan Vasquez de Coronado, Sir Francis Drake, José de San Martín, Simón Bólivar, Pedro I, Miguel Hidalgo, Bernardo O'Higgins, Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, Benito Juarez.
Leyenda del Alcalde de Zalamea, La
Films for the Humanities and RadioTelevisión Española. 2 VHS cassettes (60 mins. each): color. Spanish with no English subtitles.
"This dramatization of the story of the alcalde of Zalamea -- based on the plays of Lope and Calderón -- demonstrates the traditional Spanish values of honor and loyalty and the potential conflict between them." (from the video jacket)
Liaisons dangereuses, Les (Dangerous Liaisons 1960) Roger Vadim. 1 VHS cassette (111 mins.): BW. French with English subtitles. Feature film. France, 1960. Actors: Jeanne Moreau, Gérard Philipe, Annette Vadim, Jeanne Valerie, Jean Louis Trintignant.
"Based on the 18th century novel that scandalized Parisian society, Roger Vadim's Dangerous Liasons 1960 modernizes the setting, but remains faithful to the novel's wicked sensibility. In this version, Valmont (Gérard Philipe) and Juliette (Jeanne Moreau) have an unusually 'open' marriage in which adulterous affairs are encouraged -- as long as love is not involved. A Swiss ski resort provides the perfect backdrop for their perverse game of devastating the emotional lives of those around them. Their game backfires, however, when Valmont sets out to compromise the virtuous Marianne (Annette Vadim), and breaks their cardinal rule by falling in love. With sophisticated wit and remarkable performances, Dangerous Liasons 1960 creates an unforgettable portrait of a decadent society where people become mere playing pieces in the game of seduction." (from the video jacket)
Libro de Buen Amor, El
1 VHS cassette (60 mins.): color. Spanish, 1996. Dramatization Film.
"This rendition of the greatest Spanish troubador ballad and one of the high points of Spanish medieval literature puts specail emphasis on the clear, accurate enunciation of Spanish verse." (from the video jacket)
Licenciado Vidiera, El
1 VHS cassette (51 mins.): color. Spanish, 1993. Feature Film.
"This story -- one of the finest of the Novelas ejemplares -- shows Cervantes at his best: his mastery of the language, sense of humor, concerns with the details of ordinary life, and sense of human comedy." (from the video jacket)
Life is a long quiet river see Vie est un long fleuve tranquille, La.
Lisbon
Istituto Geografico DeAgostini. 1 VHS cassette (30 mins.): color English, Documentary, Italy, 1994.
"Discover the many fascinating facets of Lisbon. Once the richest city in Europe, presiding over an immense empire won by Portugal's brave discoverers, much of the city was destroyed by an earthquake in the mid-18th century. Today Lisbon welcomes visitors with charm and an air of relaxed elegance; the city projects a thoroughly modern image, colored by a legacy of greatness." (from video jacket)
Lisbon story
Wim Wenders. 1 VHS cassette (100 mins.): color. English, Portuguese, and German with English subtitles, Feature Film. Berlin, 1994. Actors: Rüdiger Vogler, Patrick Bauchau.
"Award-winning director Wim Wender's ('The End of Violence', 'Paris, Texas') beautifully photographed film mixes fact and fiction as he reflects on the state of cinema today. When sound engineer Phillip Winter receives a cryptic message from his friend, a self-obsessed director Friedrich Monroe, he finds himself off to Lisbon. Upon his arrival, Monroe is nowhere to be found -- an unfinished, silent film on the editing table is the only clue to his whereabouts. As the weeks go by, Winter roams the beautiful streets of Lisbon recording sounds for the movie, falls in love with a singer, befriends the neighborhood children, and even has a run-in with some gangsters. Monroe eventually returns and Winter is able to convince him that the innocence of cinema still exists." (from the video jacket)
Looking for a space: Lesbians and Gay Men in Cuba
Kelly Anderson. 1 VHS cassette (38 mins.): color.
"One of the ironies of the Cuban Revolution was that, from the beginning, it persecuted many of its loyal supporters because of their sexual orientation. 'Looking for a space' examines the cultural, political and historical reasons behind the persectuion fo lesbians and gay men during the early years of the Revolution, and takes a fresh look at this issue fromt he perspectives of Cubans who are living on the island today. We meet a diverse group of people, from a wide range of age groups and occupations, who express differences of opinion. Older people recall the repression of the late sixties when gay people were sent to 'UMAP' camps for 're-education.' During the Mariel boatlift of 1980, many gay people were seen as 'counterrevolutionary' for fleeing the country. Many younger Cubans feel there is more tolerance today, as an emerging gay subculture demonstrates. Given the uncertain political and economic climate of today's Cuba, the future remains unclear. The documentary raises critical questions about political ideology and sexual identity." (from the video jacket)
Los de abajo
Servando Gonzalez. 1 VHS cassette (117 mins.): color. Spanish with English subtitles, Feature Film. Mexico, 1987. Actors: Enrique Lucero, Jorge Victoria, Gloria Mestre, Raul Quijada, Marciano Martin.
"Los de abajo is the most violent, passionate and brutal chronicle of the Mexican Revolution and of Mexican history. In the midst of misery and injustice appeared the face of Los de Abajo and the feast of those in power became a bloody and destructive orgy." (from the video jacket)
Lost Kingdoms of the Maya
1 VHS cassette (60 mins.): color. English, 1993.National Geographic.
"Long before Columbus, the Maya established one of the most highly developed civilizations of their time in the jungles of Mexico and Central America. Yet this advanced society of priests, astronomers, artisans, and farmers suddenly and mysteriously collapsed more than a thousand years ago. Accompany archaeologists to Copan, Dos Pilas, and other spectacular Classic Maya ruins as the unearth artifacts and huge temples of incredible beauty. Recently deciphered hieroglyphics and other new discoveries offer astounding clues to the lives of these ancient people. You'll hear the startling story of one kingdom's downfall and its final desperate hours of violent warfare. Through spine-tingling recreations, witness ancient rituals reenacted on sites where they orginally occured. And meet the enduring Maya who still maintain many of their ancestor's traditions. You'll hear the voices of a magnificent civilization as you uncover Lose Kingdoms of the Maya."
Louvre, The see Cents chefs-d'oeuvres du Louvre, Les.
Louvre, The: from dungeons to the pyramid
Films for the Humanities and Sciences. 1 VHS cassette (63 mins.): color. French with no subtitles, Documentary, 1997.
"This lavishly produced program traces the architectural evolution of the world's most famous art museum, from its use as a fortress by Philippe Auguste to the construction of its controversial glass pyramid by American architect I.M. Pei. Lithographs and superb photography trace the Louvre's development from both an architectural and historical perspective.This is an important learning tool for students of architecture, French culture, language and history." (from the video jacket).
Love in the City
Frederico Fellini. 1 VHS cassette (90 mins.): B&W. Italian with English subtitles, Feature Film. Italy, 1953.
Luna Park
Pavel Loungine. 1 VHS cassette (105 mins.): color. Russian with English subtitles, Feature Film. Russia, 1991. Actors: Oleg Borisov, Andrei Goutine, Natalie Egorova.
"A breathtaking Felliniesque rollercoaster ride through post-Communist Russia, Luna Park takes us into the heart of an encroaching darkness. Andrei is the leader of a gang of right-wing, body-building skinheads who are determined to 'clean up' Russia -- by beating up Jews, foreigners, and anyone else they disapprove of. When, to his shock, the anti-semitic Andrei learns that his father is actually a celebrated Jewish composer, he sets off on a frantic search through Moscow to find him. From the award-winning director of Taxi Blues comes an intense, moving tale of a young man coming to terms with his past, in a country spinning dangerously out of control." (from the video jacket)
Luzía
Fabio Barreto. 1 VHS cassette (112 mins.): color. Portuguese with English subtitles, Feature film. Brazil, 1988. Actors: Claudia Ohana, Thales Pan Chacon, Jose de Abreu, Luiza Falcão.
"From the producer of the sexy and controversial 'Dona Flor and her two husbands' comes the provocative story of 'Luzía'. Set on the vast and beautiful plains of central Brazil, 'Luzía' is a movie in the tradition of the American western starring the alluring Claudia Ohana (one of Brazil's biggest box-office stars) as a cowgirl caught in a clash between squatters and the powerful ranch owners. Luzía's extraordinary rodeo skills and stunning beauty attract the attention of th elandowners whose history of marauding returns to gain revenge." (from the video jacket)
NOTE: ** indicates does not circulate.
