Our education in Czech cinematography began on a Tuesday night in mid-September. That night we watched Kolya, the impossibly cute story of a struggling Czech musician who ends up caring for a little Russian boy after getting a fake marriage to his mother for some quick cash. In 1996 it melted so many hearts that it won the Academy Award for best foreign language film. By the very next week, though, we had moved on to the darker and much more confusing Horem Pádem (Up and Down), which examines racism, family, and soccer fanaticism through a number of intersecting story lines. A few weeks later we took a break from the foreign films to watch Schindler’s List just hours before boarding our night train to Krakow. Weeks after that, to end the term and relax after our psychology final, we watched Želary, a World War II film shot in the hills of Slovakia that quickly became my favorite film from the entire term. A week before that, though, we were treated to an entire dinner along with movie night.
While waiting to claim their part of the feast set out before them, Bettina and Kelsey stepped into the projection for a hip, modern, Lady Gaga-style photo op.
Danny, however, had made a beeline to the food table as soon as the opportunity was available. As a result, he was already washing down round one.
In contrast, Madeline’s hunger was slowly building into a murderous rage nearby. Marcos, all too aware of what was to come, chose to look away so as not to be accused of being an accessory to the crime when Madeline finally snapped and sent her fork flying into someone’s head.
For any readers scratching their heads in confusion at the idea that Ken could prepare such a meal, don’t be mistaken. This feast was largely thanks to our wonderful guest Jenny, a specialist in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder who joined us in Karlovy Vary and shared her expertise with us in class.
Although he seemed to be enjoying his food, Michael also seemed confused and disturbed that someone other than me was taking pictures with my camera.
Kelsey, Bettina, and Jenny, however, were too busy enjoying their food to worry about much else.
