This joint venture submitted by the UK, the USA and Belarus (English captions) features the Belarus Free Theatre
as they perform uncensored defiant skits which criticize tyranny and
KGB raids. It's prohibited in Minsk to sell tickets to their theatre
("illegal
economic activity") so it's free. The theatre is often raided but they
persist. They communicate with their children and collaborate with
distant theatre members via
Skype.
Director Madeleine Sackler has taken many risks which record the arrests and
detainments of actors and politicians, plus we see their moves to New York City and London for temporary safety nets.
To me, it was interesting how they
could stage effective theater in another country that isn't quite mime,
yet doesn't depend on language to convey a message. Over 20,000 citizens
lost their homes and became refugees during the period immediately
after the latest (questionable) presidential election.
Local Minsk joke: "Mr. President, I've got some good news and some bad news, which do you want to hear first?"
Mr. President: "Tell me the good news."
Joke: "You will be our president again."
Mr. President: "And the bad news?"
Joke: "No one voted for you."
This
acting company got glowing reviews plus an OBIE in NYC and later made a
highly regarded appearance at the theatre festival in Edinburgh; on the
other hand, our 2014 Seattle International Film Festival audience was
interested, but not enraptured.