Wednesday | 06.11.24

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Monthly Screenings

In collaboration with the English Department, Hebrew University, Jerusalem

In 2023, the world celebrated the 400th anniversary of the release of William Shakespeare's First Folio, the first published collection of plays by the Bard. This program was supposed to take place at the end of last year, but due to current events, it was postponed. The program includes ten adaptations of some of Shakespeare's most significant and influential plays - some that take a traditional approach and bring to the screen a direct and faithful adaptation of the source material and adaptations based on the writings, but take them to a new, different, and unique place.

It is especially interesting to compare the adaptations of the same play, West Side Story (2021), Steven Spielberg's version of the classic musical and film, which reimagines "Romeo and Juliet" on the streets of New York in the 1950s, against the Australian Baz Luhrmann's pop version of the great tragedy. Alongside the two variations of "Hamlet," the first by Kenneth Branagh is a dazzling adaptation that brings the play to the screen word for word, against Michael Almerida's almost documentary approach, which transfers the events of the Kingdom to the corporate world of New York City at the beginning of the millennium.

Shakespeare was a wordsmith, inventing words and sayings used to this day, and though some would find his language, at times, challenging, the essence of his works has touched readers and viewers across the world. In Ran, Japanese master Akira Kurosawa moves the story of "King Lear" to 16th century Japan and dives into evil to learn about its power. Shakespeare's historical plays are always beyond another story about kings and battles, and Branagh's adaptation of "Henry V" examines the essence of lust for power to a brilliant cinematic result.

Shakespeare's distinctive humor, wit, and romance bring to the screen several contemporary adaptations of the playwright's brilliant comedies - 10 Things I Hate About You, the cult film that celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, is a contemporary adaptation of "The Taming of the Shrew" and Anyone but You, one of this year's best surprises, is a romantic comedy loosely based on "Much Ado About Nothing." Shakespeare's genius did not escape Orson Welles, one of the most prominent directors of all time. Chimes at Midnight, Welles' take on the character of Sir John Falstaff, who appears in several of Shakespeare's plays, is a sensory experience that some would say is the pinnacle of Welles' career and perhaps the best adaptation of Shakespeare ever produced. This is a rare opportunity to view this masterpiece. Lastly, the electrifying stage adaptation of "Macbeth," starring Ralph Fiennes, brings the core of Shakespeare's eminent tragedy to the present day.

Shakespeare's words have inspired dozens of films, adaptations, and interpretations by some of the most renowned directors and actors; the selection here, which will be accompanied by lectures by the faculty of the English Department at the Hebrew University, is just a taste of the Shakespearean feast.

So Much Blood: Macbeth from Page to Screen

Prior to the screening, lecture (in Eng.): Dr. Micha Lazarus, The English Department at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem

Macbeth: Ralph Fiennes & Indira Varma

Dir.: Simon Godwin
| 150 minutes

Macbeth is coming. A couple corrupted by their relentless lust for power have blood on their hands. Witness the gripping tale of greed, murder, deception, and superstition in cinemas for a limited time only. Once you cross the line, you can never turn back. A brand-new ‘full-voltage visceral’ (Daily Telegraph) production of Shakespeare’s Macbet.

Romeo + Juliet

Dir.: Baz Luhrmann
| 120 minutes

Romeo, a member of the Montague family, meets Juliet, a member of the Capulet family, at a party, and the two fall desperately in love. The families deny this love story in disgust, the two lovers are forced to hide their relationship, until the tragic end. Baz Luhrmann presents a fresh adaptation of Shakespeare, full of youthful spirit and sweeping performances.

Anyone But You

Dir.: Will Gluck
| 104 minutes

Ben and Bea cannot stand one another after their date implodes. They reunite at their sisters' wedding, where everyone around them wants them to be as happy as they are. What are they to do but pretend to be a couple? The loose adaptation of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing requires nothing but to sit back and enjoy.

Macbeth: Ralph Fiennes & Indira Varma

Dir.: Simon Godwin
| 150 minutes

Macbeth is coming. A couple corrupted by their relentless lust for power have blood on their hands. Witness the gripping tale of greed, murder, deception, and superstition in cinemas for a limited time only. Once you cross the line, you can never turn back. A brand-new ‘full-voltage visceral’ (Daily Telegraph) production of Shakespeare’s Macbet.

Shakespeare, Sondheim, Spielberg: The Making and Re-making of West Side Story

Dr. Yaeli Greenblatt will review the history and enduring legacy of West Side Story from its origin in Shakespeare’s tragic Romeo and Juliet to its stage and screen musical adaptations

West Side Story 2021

Dir.: Steven Spielberg
| 156 minutes

Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of the classic musical about the forbidden love between Maria, the Sharks' leader's sister, and Tony, the Jets' leader's best friend. The result is an elegant and thrilling work that will sweep you off your feet.

10 Things I Hate About You

Dir.: Gil Junger
| 97 minutes

Kat doesn't have much patience for the opposite sex. Unfortunately for her sister, until Kat has a boyfriend, she won't be able to date. Into this equation comes Patrick, a rebellious new student. Will he be able to melt the heart of the shrew? A refreshing adaptation of The Taming of the Shrew into a cult film.

Chimes at Midnight

Dir.: Orson Welles
| 119 minutes

Welle's assembled three of Shakespeare's play to create a portrait of the character Falstaff, concentrating on his relationship to the young King Henry V. Welles mercilessly moves from the cheerful life of the beginning of the film to the dark and menacing world of its end.

Hamlet

Dir.: Kenneth Branagh
| 242 minutes

Kenneth Branagh's spectacular adaptation of William Shakespeare's play, using the entire text of the play and various cinematic means. 

Henry V

Dir.: Kenneth Branagh
| 137 minutes

King Henry V, who has just ascended the throne, embarks on a bloody war with France. When the campaign is met with resistance, the inexperienced Henry must prove himself fit to lead his kingdom in battle. Kenneth Branagh brings to the screen a stunning revitalization of Shakespeare's play. Fair print

Prior to the screening, lecture by Prof. Naomi Mandel, The English Department at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem

Ran

Dir.: Akira Kurosawa
| 161 minutes

Kurosawa’s epic version of King Lear keeps many of the main themes of Shakespeare’s play, but  transposing the action to 16th century Japan. Kurosawa explore the meaning of power, the insoluble conflict between what seems to be good and what is perceived as evil. Ran is a masterpiece not to be missed.

Hamlet

Dir.: Michael Almereyda
| 112 minutes

Michael Almereyda, in a bold move, transfers the plot of Shakespeare's great tragedy of obsession, betrayal, and revenge to the corporate world of New York at the beginning of the millennium and takes an almost documentary approach to transfer something of the fragile character of Hamlet to the screen. 

Ran

Dir.: Akira Kurosawa
| 161 minutes

Kurosawa’s epic version of King Lear keeps many of the main themes of Shakespeare’s play, but  transposing the action to 16th century Japan. Kurosawa explore the meaning of power, the insoluble conflict between what seems to be good and what is perceived as evil. Ran is a masterpiece not to be missed.