From the production of Daniela Špinar Manon Lescautphoto: Patrik Borecký / National Theater Prague
This week, viewers of ČT art will be treated to several beautiful returns to the classics. For example, the film concept of the production of Nezvalova’s Manon Lescaut by director Daniela Špinar. Or a documentary about the creation of Otomar Krejci’s legendary production Romeo and Juliet 63 with actress Maria Tomášová, who celebrates her 95th birthday this week. And also the first collaboration of Martin Scorsese and Harvey Keitel from the dirty streets of New York.
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Monday, April 15, 8:15 p.m
In 1940, the poet Vítězslav Nezval turned Abbé Prévost’s novel into a stage poem depicting the love of the lovely Manon and the poor knight Des Grieux. The story of fateful love came to the stage of the National Theater for the first time in 2016, directed by Daniela Špinar. The latter, in 2021, created a film counterpart, which was filmed in the authentic environment of a historic theater building. It will feature Jan Pidrmanová (Manon) and Václav Polívka (Des Grieux) in the main roles.
From the play Manon Lescautphoto: Patrik Borecký / National Theatre
Tuesday, April 16, 10:55 p.m
As part of the Prague Proms 2018 festival, the Czech National Symphony Orchestra plays the famous film songs of the American composer Henry Mancini (1924–1994), whose birth will be 100 years old on this very day. The songs will be sung by his daughter, the singer Monica Mancini, and the program will include classical compositions The Shadow Of Your Smile, Moment to Moment, Moon River, Soldier in the Rain, Alfie, Charade, Days of Wine and Roses or Over The Rainbow.
Singer Monica Mancini, photo: ČTK
Wednesday April 17, 10:10 p.m
The birth of the legendary National Theater production Romeo a Julie 63 directed by Otomar Krejči and captured by documentarian Radúz Činčera in the early sixties. Otomar Krejča teamed up with playwright Josef Topol and created for the National Theater a captivating rewrite of Shakespeare’s tragedy about lovers from Verona. They had a great line-up of actors of all generations – Jan Tříska, Maria Tomášová, Luďek Munzar, Miroslav Macháček and Olga Scheinpflugová. In his behind-the-scenes reportage, Činčer managed to create a rare testimony of the intimate moments of the director’s and actor’s collaboration. Shots from the rehearsal room, from the stage and from summer Prague are accompanied by the actors’ personal reflections and joint conversations in which a unique vision was formed. The unique documentary from 1964 is presented by ČT art on the occasion of the 95th birthday of actress Marie Tomášová, the representative of Julie from Krejč’s production, which is celebrated on April 18.
Jan Tříska and Marie Tomášová in a production Romeo a Julie 63photo: archive of CT
Thursday, April 18, 8:15 p.m
Daniela Brzobohatá and Saša Michailidis host the live announcement of the winners of the 22nd book awards from the New Stage of the National Theatre. On the CT art website, you can see the medallions of all books nominated in individual categories.
A visual of this year’s Magnesia Litera awards
Thursday, April 18, 11:40 p.m
Kathryn Bigelow, Hollywood fighter
The 2021 French documentary is a portrait of the exceptional film director Kathryn Bigelow, who managed to establish herself as a director of mostly action films in Hollywood. In her directorial filmography we can find titles like Breaking point, Blue steel, K-19: Death Machine whether Special days – gritty, dark action-packed action and special effects starring big movie stars. Kathryn Bigelow avoids publicity and has given few interviews in her career. Not much is known about her private life, while she was the wife of Hollywood director James Cameron for several years. The documentary tries to get closer to her career and personality.
Director Kathryn Bigelow, photo: archive CT
Friday, April 19, 10:35 p.m
American documentary cycle Stories of world music presents the American singer Janet Jackson, who tells her personal story accompanied by the ups and downs and family clashes of the Jackson clan.
Singer Janet Jackson, photo: archive CT
Saturday 20 April, 22.35
Martin Scorsese’s 1967 feature directorial debut heralds his directorial style. The simple plot is about the love affair between a street flutist with Italian roots called JR and a young New Yorker. A mismatched couple from different walks of life meet by chance while waiting for a ferry and unexpectedly bond over a banal conversation. Further meetings and long conversations unfold against the background of the vibrant life of the New York streets of the 1960s. A major turning point occurs when the girl decides to confide her painful secret. Hot-blooded JR comes from a strictly Catholic family, and their future together will depend on how he can cope with the situation. Scorsese also cast debutant Harvey Keitel in the title role, and thus began their long-term collaboration.
Harvey Keitel in Martin Scorsese’s debut, photo: ČT archive
Sunday, April 21, 8:00 p.m
Live broadcast of the gala concert from the Spanish Hall of Prague Castle. The Prague Philharmonic Choir sings famous choral scenes from Czech operas, its artistic partners are the orchestra PKF – Prague Philharmonia and soloists Veronika Rovná and Pavel Švingr. Lukáš Vasilek directs the performance, Marek Eben moderates, Adam Rezek directs the broadcast.
Moderator Marek Eben, photo: ČTK / Václav Šálek
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