Sun 12 Nov 2.00pm
WOMEN AND IBSEN: THE ROAD TO MODERN DRAMA
Henrik Ibsen remains the most performed playwright in the world after
Shakespeare. The influence of women on Ibsen, and Ibsen on women, is
crucial to understanding how this happened. This afternoon of film, debate
and commentary explores the women on Ibsen's road to Modern Drama and the
impact that Ibsen's work continues to have on women throughout the world.
2.00pm
SARA *
A rare opportunity to see this highly effective Iranian transportation of
Ibsen's groundbreaking challenge to male chauvinism A DOLL'S HOUSE, directed
and adapted by Dariush Mehrjui.
Sara 'the perfect young housewife' voices the grievances of most women in
patriarchal societies. She is victimised, first by her father and then by
her husband. Both treat her as less than human. However when husband Hessam
requires an expensive emergency operation abroad it is she who gets the
funds and for the next three years it is Sara, working secretly, who pays
the shady loan and saves Hessam's male pride. Then the truth is revealed and
with it the reality of her marriage.
Making his first film in 1965 Dariush Mehrjui became a prominent filmmaker
of the Iranian 'new wave' in the early '70s. Though sometimes mentioned as
the third in the triumvirate of great modern Iranian directors that includes
Abbas Kiarostami and Moshen Makhmalbaf he predates and influences both. In
the1990's Mehrjui earned raves and accolades for films focusing on women and
their interior world. Sadly excepting festivals, Mehrjui's films remain
largely unseen outside Iran.
Iran 1993 Dir. Dariush Mehrjui 102 min. English subtitles. Iran 1993 Dir.
Dariush Mehrjui 102 min. English subtitles
4.00pm
SUZANNAH *
The UK premiere of Jon Fosse's beautifully photographed TV play about the
woman who knew Ibsen best and influenced many of his creations - his wife,
Suzannah. Directed by Oscar-nominee Berit Nesheim, the young, the middle
aged and the older Suzannah reflect on a life with the man who changed
theatre and influenced the growth of feminism. Jon Fosse is the most
important theatrical voice to come out of Norway since Ibsen. He is Norway's
pre-emininent contemporary playwright translated into 40 languages and
performed all over the world.
Norway 2003 Dir. Berit Nesheim 53 min. English subtitles
Followed by...
5.15pm -6pm
SCREEN TALK
A panel discussion exploring the women in Ibsen's work, chaired
by Sunday Express theatre critic Mark Shenton with guests including esteemed
broadcaster and Guardian theatre critic Michael Billington, Oscar nominated
female Norwegian film director Berit Nesheim and South African born actress
Janet Suzman.
Presented in association with Ibsen UK 2006, Barbican Cinema, NRK (the
Norwegian National Broadcaster), the Norwegian Embassy, Ibsen-året 2006 and
the Norwegian Film Institute.
see
www.barbican.org.uk/film
Henrik Ibsen on TV (non-Festival)
(BFI : National Film Theatre)
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