Celebrate the legacy of legendary independent producer Saul Zaentz with a special film series presented by the Berkeley FILM Foundation and the California Film Institute. Relive the magic of his Academy Award-winning films, including The English Patient (1996), The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1988), One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975), and Amadeus (1984).

Special guests will join for post-screening Q&As, offering behind-the-scenes insights and unforgettable stories about the making of these iconic films and the indomitable spirit of Saul Zaentz. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience these cinematic masterpieces on the big screen and hear from the insiders who brought them to life.

ADMISSION:  $16. General | $12.50 Seniors & Youth | $10.50 CAFILM members

FRIDAY, NOV 15

THE ENGLISH PATIENT

SCREENING + CONVERSATION
Pre-recorded intro by author Michael Ondaatje and on stage post-screening conversation with associate producer Paul Zaentz. Moderated by Peter Stein.

Anthony Minghella wrote and directed this award-winning adaptation of Michael Ondaatje’s novel about a doomed and tragic romance set against the backdrop of World War II. In a field hospital in Italy, Hana (Juliette Binoche), a nurse from Canada, is caring for a pilot who was horribly burned in a plane wreck; he has no identification and cannot remember his name, so he’s known simply as “the English Patient,” thanks to his accent. When the hospital is forced to evacuate, Hana determines en route that the patient shouldn’t be moved far due to his fragile condition, so the two are left in a monastery to be picked up later. In time, Hana begins to piece together the patient’s story from the shards of his memories. – Synopsis courtesy of Miramax. 

Director: Anthony Minghella (US 1996) 162 min.

FRIDAY, NOV 15 • 6:30

PAST EVENT

SATURDAY, NOV 16

IN CONVERSATION WITH MICHAEL ONDAATJE AND DAVIA NELSON

NOTE: MICHAEL ONDAAJTE WILL BE JOINING THE CONVERSATION VIA LIVE ZOOM CONNECTION ON THE BIG SCREEN.

Michael Ondaatje, a masterful storyteller, has written seven novels, a memoir, a nonfiction exploration of film, and several poetry collections. His acclaimed novel The English Patient not only won the 1992 Booker Prize but was also transformed into a cinematic triumph in 1996, sweeping the Academy Awards and winning Best Picture. Ondaatje will discuss the making of the film (including Saul Zaentz’s long journey to acquire the rights to make it) with Davia Nelson, one-half of The Kitchen Sisters and award-winning NPR radio documentary producer.

Program 60 min

SATURDAY, NOV 16 • 11:30

PAST EVENT

THE UNBEARABLE LIGHTNESS OF BEING

Film + Intro by Editor Vivien Hillgrove and post-screening live Zoom conversation with filmmaker and sound designer Walter Murch (THX 1138, Apocalypse Now)

Philip Kaufman achieves a delicate, erotic balance with his screen version of Milan Kundera’s “unfilmable” novel. Adapted by Kaufman and Jean-Claude Carrière, the film follows a womanizing surgeon (Daniel Day-Lewis) as he struggles with his free-spirited mistress (Lena Olin) and his childlike wife (Juliette Binoche). An intimate epic, The Unbearable Lightness of Being charts the frontiers of relationships with wit, emotion, and devastating honesty.

Director: Philip Kaufman (US 1988) 172 min.

SATURDAY, NOV 16 • 1:30

PAST EVENT

ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST

SCREENING + CONVERSATION
With Robert Faggen, PhD, Professor of Literature

Adapted from Ken Kesey’s novel, the film centers on Randle McMurphy (Jack Nicholson), a convict who simulates mental illness in the hope that a transfer to psychiatric hospital might ensure his early release. But he hasn’t bargained for the rigid regimen of Mildred Ratched (Louise Fletcher) who dislikes his disruptive – though he’d say liberating – effect on the ward. Inspired casting (Danny DeVito, Brad Dourif and Christopher Lloyd are among the patients) and Forman’s naturalistic direction lend authenticity to the proceedings, so that the film succeeds both as anti-authoritarian parable and as an affecting reminder of the psychiatric practices of the past. – Geoff Andrew.

Director: Milos Forman (US 1975) 133 min.

SATURDAY, NOV 16 • 6:00

PAST EVENT

SUNDAY, NOV 17

AMADEUS

SCREENING + CONVERSATION
Introduction by Paul Zaentz | Post screening conversation with Mark Berger, AMADEUS Sound Designer, Editor and Mixer. Moderated by Gary Meyer.

Milos Forman creates a rousing adaptation of Peter Shaffer’s stage play about the rivalry between the composers Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Tom Hulce) and Antonio Salieri (F. Murray Abraham). In telling the story through Salieri’s perspective, Amadeus becomes a drama about deranged jealousy and betrayal as Salieri fumes over his prodigious counterpart, who is seen as immature and unworthy of his superior talent. Yet through the heat of Salieri’s contempt, Mozart’s compositions come alive with fresh urgency: Amadeus isn’t a stodgy costume piece for classical music fans only, it’s a gripping drama about a divine gift and its costs. – Scott Tobias, The New York Times

Director: Milos Forman (US 1984) 158 min.

SUNDAY, NOV 17 • 1:30

PAST EVENT