FREE SCREENING

November 10  9:30 PM
RALEIGH STUDIOS  CHAPLIN Screening Room
5300 Melrose Ave. (Van Ness entrance) Los Angeles

Bánk Bán  (Bánk bán)

1213. The Meranian countrymen of Queen Gertrud are absorbed in revelry in the
royal castle, observed from the background by diseffected Hungarian nobles,
who under the leadership of a ban (a warden of the southern marches of
Hungary), Ban Petur, are planning a conspiracy. Ban Bánk, the vice-regent of
the king, who is away traversing the country fighting distant battles, has in the
meantime left his beautiful wife Melinda at the court. The anger of the nobles is
further intensified when they are witness to the ever more open harrassment
Melinda must suffer at the hands of Ottó, the fettish younger brother of the
queen. Petur, the leader of the consprirators, secretly recalls Bánk, who reacts
indignantly to this and accuses the disaffected nobles of high treason. Ottó’s
confident, the ”sly and untrustworthy” Biberach, who is a knight, reveals to Bánk
that the prince is attempting to entice Melinda. Spurred on by the queen Ottó
prepares for battle. He pursues Bánk’s lady-wife around the cloisters and
chapels of the castle, and though spurning his offers of love with derision,
Melinda nevertheless finds herself placed in an ambiguous situation. Bánk,
who just at this moment is spying on the two, is outraged by what he sees: it
seems that his loving spouse could have been unfaithful after all… The film
roles are filled by the greatest European and world famous Hungarian opera
stars of our time. The film’s director and Academy Award Winner
cinematographer found the common denominator between a romantic opera
and a story embued with medieval ambiance in 19th century historical painting,
from which the imagery of the film is rendered. Since Erkel’s music and the
dialogue in the film had to be produced into one sound picture, the result of the
lengthy pre- and post sound production is also a special musical experience
assured by the world class Dolby Digital 5.1 sound.
Csaba Káel’s First Feature Film