The Sky Sparkles
In Praise of Chekhov

January 29 - February 27, 2016

Anton Chekhov (29 January 1860 – 15 July 1904), one of the greatest playwrights wrote his major works from 1894 until his death in 1904 - during cinema's first decade. He never wrote for the screen, though it is tempting to imagine what they may have looked like; his skill at charting subtle changes in relationships, emotions, memories and actions as well as the challenge and requirements of performing his works, such resources may have been a perfect fit for Chekhov's artistry. Pera Film in collaboration with Seagull Films is presenting The Sky Sparkles: In Praise of Chekhov, a program of films surveying Chekov’s accomplished works, through the lens of predominantly Soviet and Russian filmmakers. One of the watchwords of 19th century literature was the idea of "realism," an attempt to focus on the triumphs and tragedies of unremarkable, rather everyday people. Chekhov was very dedicated to promoting an idea of realism in his theatrical work, and to better serve his plays the Moscow Art Theater under Konstantin Stanislavsky, with whom his work was closely associated, developed a new approach to acting that later became known in the United States as "method acting." The program includes one of Russia's finest contemporary filmmakers Karen Shaknazarov’s provocative update of a Chekhov story, Ward No. 6 which was Russia’s official Academy Award nominee for Best Foreign Language film in 2009. Other highlights in the program are Andrei Konchalovsky's magnificent version of Uncle Vanya as well as his brother Nikita Mikhalkov's brilliant An Unfinished Piece for the Player Piano based partly on Chekhov's lesser-known play Platonov. Chekhov's Motifs, a free adaptation of Tatiana Repina, proves to be one of Kira Muratova's most innovative works. Nuri Bilge Ceylan’s Winter Sleep inspired by Chekhov’s stories and also Louis Malle’s last film Vanya on 42nd Street accompanies the program. The Sky Sparkles journeys through the work of one of the most celebrated figures in the history of literature, Anton Chekhov whose craft today remains of great relevance.


in collaboration with

January 29

19:00 The Lady with the Dog

January 30

14:00 Uncle Vanya

February 6

14:00 An Unfinished Piece for the Player Piano

16:00 Ward # 6

February 7

14:00 Chekhov's Motifs

February 10

19:00 A Hunting Accident

February 12

20:00 Vanya on 42nd Street

February 13

14:00 A Hunting Accident

16:00 The Lady with the Dog

February 14

15:00 An Unfinished Piece for the Player Piano

February 19

20:00 Chekhov's Motifs

February 20

17:00 Uncle Vanya

19:00 Vanya on 42nd Street

February 26

20:00 Ward # 6

February 27

14:00 Winter Sleep

The Lady with the Dog

The Lady with the Dog

Uncle Vanya

Uncle Vanya

An Unfinished Piece for the Player Piano

An Unfinished Piece for the Player Piano

A Hunting Accident

A Hunting Accident

Vanya on 42nd Street

Vanya on 42nd Street

Chekhov's Motifs

Chekhov's Motifs

Ward # 6

Ward # 6

Winter Sleep

Winter Sleep

Program Trailer

The Sky Sparkles
In Praise of Chekhov

The Sky Sparkles: In Praise of Chekhov, journeys through the work of one of the most celebrated figures in the history of literature, Anton Chekhov whose craft today remains of great relevance.

A Photographer’s Biography Ali Sami Aközer

A Photographer’s Biography Ali Sami Aközer

Ali Sami is born in Rusçuk in 1866, and moves to İstanbul. Because his family is registered in the Beylerbeyi quarter of Üsküdar, Ali Sami is also called Üsküdarlı Ali Sami. He graduates from the Mühendishane-i Berri-i Hümayun in 1866 and becomes a teacher of painting and photography at the school.

I Copy Therefore I Am

I Copy Therefore I Am

Suggesting alternative models for new social and economic systems, SUPERFLEX works appear before us as energy systems, beverages, sculptures, copies, hypnosis sessions, infrastructure, paintings, plant nurseries, contracts, or specifically designed public spaces.

Baby King

Baby King

1638, the year Louis XIV was born –his second name, Dieudonné, alluding to his God-given status– saw the diffusion of a cult of maternity encouraged by the very devout Anne of Austria, in thanks for the miracle by which she had given birth to an heir to the French throne. Simon François de Tours (1606-1671) painted the Queen in the guise of the Virgin Mary, and the young Louis XIV as the infant Jesus, in the allegorical portrait now in the Bishop’s Palace at Sens.