There are a few film directors whose appeal splits people right down the middle. Some hate the work and some are devoted groupies. However, if the response to a particular director bridges the entire spectrum, then it is all the proof needed that this talented film artist's sensibility cannot be ignored. For myself, always a sucker for the sweeping operatic gesture in film, I find myself to be a disciple of the British director Ken Russell. Russell did not think small in hi...

From April 7th, 2010 and for the next week, Cinematheque Francaise will host a retro of Pola Negri films. The week of Pola Negri movies is part of an even longer three-month series entitled "Tournages: Berlin-Paris-Hollywood".  Pola's week will run April 7-12, 2010, and will feature the recent 2006 Pola Negri documentary and thirteen Pola Negri movies from Bestia (1915) to Tango Notturno (1937). Born Barbara Appolonia Chalupek in Janowa, Poland on December 31st, 189...