“Battleship Potemkin,” next up of Ten Films That Shook the World

LOS ANGELES, Calif.—The L.A. Workers Center and HollywoodProgressive.com’s series “Ten Films That Shook the World: A Cinematic Centennial Celebration of the Russian Revolution” continues on Friday, March 24 at 7:30 pm with a screening of the revolutionary classic Potemkin.

Based on a true story, Sergei Eisenstein’s 1925 Potemkin is a stirring account of the mutiny by sailors aboard the Battleship Potemkin who refuse to eat maggoty meat and the mass strike by workers supporting them during Russia’s 1905 Revolution. This 75-minute film is widely considered to be Soviet cinema’s greatest masterpiece. The terrifying Odessa Steps scene encapsulates czarist brutality, while Potemkin’s theme of triumphant solidarity expresses the essence of Russia’s three revolutions, symbolized by pounding waves.

This screening is part of a monthly film series running through November 2017 to commemorate and celebrate the 100th anniversary of the February and October 1917 Revolutions in Russia, and 1905’s mass uprisings. All ten films screened during these ten months are Soviet cinema classics from the first decade of the Soviet Union, among the greatest political films ever made.

Before each screening a speaker briefly introduces each film and filmmaker. After the movie the speaker will make a few additional remarks, followed by a Q&A and light refreshments. These black and white silent films, with English subtitles and musical soundtracks, are screened under imperfect conditions, although this is a chance to see them projected on a big screen. Admission is free, although donations and potluck contributions are accepted.

Screenings start at 7:30 pm on the fourth Friday of each month (except Nov. 7) at the L.A. Workers Center, 1251 S. St. Andrews Place, L.A. 90019. This address, two blocks west of Western Ave., is accessible only from Pico Blvd. Film historian/critic Ed Rampell, author of Progressive Hollywood, A People’s Film History of the United States, is the series’ programmer/co-presenter. For info: laworkersedsoc@gmail.com.