KULTUR VIDEO

Jean Cocteau (1889-1963), was a French poet, novelist, dramatist, designer, and filmmaker, whose versatility, unconventionality, and enormous output brought him international acclaim. As a leading member of the surrealist movement, he had a great influence on the work of others.

Three big names from the classical music scene -- legendary violinist Itzhak Perlman, celebrated cellist Yo-Yo Ma and lauded opera singer Frederica Von Stade -- join the Prague Philharmonic Chorus and the Boston Symphony Orchestra in a once-in-a-lifetime performance of music by Czech composer Anton Dvorak. The musicians, led by renowned conductor Seiji Ozawa, give their all to highlight Dvorak's music in none other than his native Prague.

This film examines Trotsky, the revolutionary; venerated and reviled, loved, hated, feared. Archive material compiled from all over the world, citations and new shoots create an electrifying proximity to the historical person and to the man Leo Trotsky. Stages in his life and eventual flight are carefully examined, from St. Petersburg, to Mexico City. This is the riveting political biography of the Revolution's onetime hero.

A South African version of the English Medieval Chester mystery plays staged in June 2001

Giacomo Meyerbeer's pastoral opera,based on a Breton tale, is the tale of DINORAH who has gone mad because her bridegroom Hoël has disappeared during their wedding. This production, performed as part of Théâtre Impérial de Compiegne's purpose of reviving obscure French opera, is the only version of 'Dinorah' available on DVD, but it is a great production! The painterly pastoral settings and décor and rustic costumes are very easy on the eye. Opera traditionalists who dislike modern stagings will be delighted to know that this is a traditional production. Pierre Jourdan's stage direction is charming and always involving, never once falling into static movements or gestures, gratuitous distaste and irrelevance. With Isabelle Philippe, Armand Arapian and Frédéric Mazzotta. Conducted by Olivier Opebeek.

In the history of modern art, Pablo Picasso is a nearly mythological figure. Born in Malaga, Picasso was an innovative master of various media and as one of the most prolific artists in history, creating more than 20,000 paintings, sculptures, prints, and ceramics using all kinds of materials. First famous for his pioneering role in Cubism, Picasso's art developed with a pace and energy parallel to the sweeping cultural and technological changes of the twentieth century.

The history of Buddhism is told in this unique program, as we make the journey Buddha himself took during his lifetime. Walk with the Master explores Buddha's life and legacy and the Buddhist religion. This detailed documentary is filled with facts and information and is accompanied by a wonderful blend of visuals, including present day footage of the sites, reconstructions of key events, art and animations. Filmed entirely on location in India at the actual sites that are a part of the Walk with the Master, this is the journey of the Master in his long quest to gain Enlightenment.

Born in Wyoming in 1912, Jackson Pollock became one of the most notorious artists that America ever produced. He developed a technique in which he would fix his canvas to the floor, drip and splash paint onto it, then use a variety of objects to manipulate the paint. With these innovative paintings, he became the front-runner of the Abstract Expressionist movement.

The definitive biography of artist Francis Bacon accompanied by spectacular images of his greatest work.

Get to know Spanish Surrealist master Salvador Dali in this volume, part of a series exploring some of the most important artists of the 20th century. Learn about Dali's meteoric rise through the art world as a result of his visionary approach to art, and his subsequent difficulties as he was criticized for making art for the sake of money. A figure as colorful and unique as his paintings, Dali created art that's survived the march of time.