culture The Minsk Times Thursday, August 29, 2013  Film events developed Lute revival in Pinsk near Smorgon Unique Pinsk master restores ancient musical instruments while Brest actress Yanina Malinchik to play a leading role in Russian performing medieval music all over Brest Region filmDeath Battalion Igor Ugolnikov, the screenwriter and producer, tells us, “The fact that an actress from Brest was chosen for this role shows the special connec- tion with our last film:Brest Fortress. She proved her talent and character during film tests.” Death Battalion will be the larg- est Russian film project devoted to the First World War, being filmed with support from the Russian Min- istry of Culture. It is to provide 50 million Russian Roubles of the 250 million total budget. The film tells of a women’s de- tachment, created in St. Petersburg at the order of the 1917 provisional government, to raise the fighting spirit of the army. Events are being filmed near Smorgon, where this fe- male battalion fought heroically. Shooting begins on 31st August, with the premiere scheduled for 1st August, 2014, coinciding with the Me- morial Day for all those soldiers who died during the First World War. Experimental theatre scene BELTA By Lyudmila Ivanova Yury Dubnovitsky shares his love of ancient instrument with pupils

Play by daughter of Charlie By Yuri Chernyakevich lute was made and, since then, Yuri lute as a promising instrument.” Mr. familiar with music will understand Chaplin being staged in Minsk has been producing new instruments. Dubnovitsky teaches pupils at the lo- that it’s a true challenge to learn to from 28th September to 21st Pinsk’s residents are now able to His work has made him well-known cal musical school, making them tune play the lute,” explains Mr. Dubno- October admire lute music, after two centuries far beyond Belarus. He explains, their instruments for a full five min- vitsky. The Belarusian capital will be- of oblivion. Many years ago, this mu- “Many facts confirm that, in the times utes before playing. On hearing the Despite the difficulties, Yuri’s pu- come a huge theatrical playground sical instrument was viewed as Bela- of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, the melody of an ancient knight’s ballad, pils are demonstrating progress and, during the 3rd TEART International rus’ musical symbol — alongside the lute was popular in Novogrudok, there’s no doubt that you are trans- with their teacher, often perform at Theatre Forum, organised by ART cembalo. After the Grand Duchy of Nesvizh and Pinsk. Amateurs and ported to another time: perhaps to a Pinsk and Brest festivities, as well as Corporation and OJSC Belgazprom- Lithuania’s split in the late 18th centu- professionals played the instrument, medieval ball celebrating the birthday visiting other towns across the Brest bank. The best theatres from Belarus, ry, it almost disappeared but, around which is interesting from a musical of a nobleman or his daughter’s wed- Region. Their small band is named Russia and abroad will present sixteen 15 years ago, Pinsk school teacher and historical point of view. Unsur- ding. Saltarello — after a genre of Italian plays, with seven staged by independ- Yuri Dubnovitsky decided to restore prisingly, I was eager to revive it.” Modern Pinsk lutists can now dance and instrumental music popu- ent European theatres. The experi- this medieval Belarusian ‘mandolin’. According to the master, the ‘Be- play the most complicated melodies, lar in Europe in the 14th-16th cen- ments aim to show new, unusual and, Mr. Dubnovitsky learned from larusian sitar’ is suitable not only for although their ancient ‘science’ is far tury. sometimes, provocative modern and foreign experts and, like Stradivarius, 16th-17th century music. He tells us, from simple. “A lute has 13 double Alongside the cembalo, the lute traditional theatrical forms. devoted all his time to inventing his “Any kind of music can be played — strings, so the positioning of hands was once Belarus’ musical symbol, own ‘medieval guitar’. Several years including jazz, ragtime and modern and technique of playing differ drasti- spreading countrywide, thanks to on, success arrived: in 1999, his first ballads. With this in mind, I view the cally from that of a guitar. All those Pinsk enthusiasts’ efforts. Films screened Choirs sing out, with true on the square To Steal Belmondo comedy hearts, souls and minds screened at Kinoshock Festival Nikolay Knyazev’s film, shot last International KHORoSHOW year, is being screened at the 22nd music project opens new TV Open Festival of CIS countries, Latvia, season Lithuania and Estonia: Kinoshock. The Aurelia Thiérrée Choirs from Belarus, Russia, Belarusian film will be shown as part On 5th and 6th October, the Ukraine, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, of the out-of-competition programme: Belarusian State Academic Musical Serbia and France are taking part, Cinema on the Square. Theatre will be treating audiences to assessed by an international panel of This year’s festival will be held from Whisper of the Walls (France) staged judges. Among those sharing their 14th to 21st September in Anapa, with by the daughter of Charlie Chap- expertise will be Eurovision-2007 the top Golden Vine Prize awarded to lin, Victoria Chaplin Thiérrée; the winner Marija Šerifović of Serbia, the best producer of a feature film. granddaughter of the great come- popular French singer Desireless, Winners will also be announced un- dian, Aurelia Thiérrée, will take the and Chervonye Gitary band leader der the categories ‘Best Director’, ‘Best lead comedic role. The play encap- Severin Krayevsky. Screenplay’, ‘Best Actress’, ‘Best Actor’, sulates Chaplin’s hallmark style. The show will consist of three ‘Best Cinematography’ (in honour of On 7th October, the Warsaw New big concerts: two semi-finals and A. Knyazhinsky) and special Grand Theatre will present (A)pollonia at a final. Each semi-final will feature At KHORoSHOW only the strongest will win Jury diploma. Last year, the film festival Minsk-Arena: a difficult and impu- four choirs, selected through a draw, Belarus will be represented by hip-hop and reggae, perform- award for ‘Best Actor’ went to Vladimir dent montage inspired by traditional with one winner from each group young Belarusian Medley choir, ing cover-versions of well-known Svirsky, for his leading role as Suschen- tragedy and literary works about the going through to the final round. which formed in Minsk this year, songs, as well as their own original ya, in the film adaptation of Vasil Byk- Holocaust. The international pro- Besides the usual singing, the comprising soloists in choral sing- compositions. ov’s story, In the Fog, directed by Sergey gramme will come to an end with final two choirs will also battle ing and beat-boxing amateurs. The semi-finals will be broad- Loznitsa. The film was co-produced by the play MUCK (Hungary) about through tasks to show their knowl- Members sing unaccompanied in cast by STV TV Channel on 14th Belarus, Germany, Russia, Latvia, the the universal malady of discontent. edge and imagination. various styles, including pop, rock, and 21st September. Netherlands and the EURIMAGES.