This Friday at Cine/Club is the 1978 French film Molière (IMBD), directed by Ariane Mnouchkine. The film is about four hours long, so it will begin at 6:30. Due to its length, Heather will count your attendance to Molière as two Art&Film credits for this grading period. There will be a 15-minute intermission when sandwiches will be served. Please be on time for sign-in, and remember to sign-out before you leave to receive full credit.

Ariane Mnouchkine’s MOLIERE (1978, Italy/France)How well do you know Moliere? Even if you’ve read a few of his works, we’re betting you know next to nothing about the man, and that’s a shame. Scandal, intrigue, bankruptcy and supreme triumph marked his life, which is brought to the big screen by a master of the theater. Not only is this film the most vivid and exhilarating portrait of one of the greatest playwrights in history, it is one of the most accurate and exciting portraits of a historical age. Here is a period film with life and breath, filled with unforgettable images. Come be astonished. WHY WE CHOSE THIS FILM: Moliere doesn’t get so much attention here in America. This film vividly recreates the late 1600’s, the atmosphere of the religious wars and the court of Louis IV, but above all it’s an astounding look at theater during that time: the mimes, the pantomimes, the classic drama, and the freewheeling lives of actors. It’s filled with color and life. ABOUT THE DIRECTOR Ariane Mnouchkine is one of the most important theater directors in France. She founded her own theatre, Theatre du Soleil (Theater of the Sun), and is known for mind-boggling spectacles, like a Kabuki-inspired version of Richard II, and for producing theater in unexpected spaces, like barns and gymnasiums. Moliere was made with Theatre du Soleil, the entire cast is made up of actors from the theater. Of Mnouchkine’s few films, this is the greatest and her ability to collaborate with her theater company so completely might be the reason why.

There will be an Art Saturday this weekend on Oct 22. Please meet at 10:45 at Metreon in the park side facing the waterfall.

11:15 we’ll visit the new gallery shows at Paule Anglim, Don Soker and Yerba Buena Center for the Arts– New Art from Modern India. 12:30 Picnic Yerba Buena Gardens2:30 FILM Opera Plaza (bring money for film) TOAST an comedy set in 1960 England about a boy who develops a life long passion for cooking. He begins to compete with his step-mother for the affection of his father –through cooking. Funny and unusual.