Under Four Flags Feb 17 @ 1 PM In early 1918 director SL Rothafel, perhaps better known as the managing director of Radio City Music Hall, was approached by US Government to produce a documentary on WW1. The 25-minute black-and-white movie was shot on location in mid‒late 1918, mostly in France. Photographic Section teams, consisting of one motion-picture cameraman, one still-picture cameraman, and assistants, were attached to each of the divisions with the American Expeditionary Forces. The scenes are not staged and convey with great immediacy the devastation and death, the comradeship, drama, tender nursing, the tiny “baby tanks” of the day, and the everyday life of the doughboys “over there.” The film shows the desolate fields of Belgium and France, the long lines of marching troops, moments in the Battles of Belleau Wood and Chateau-Thierry in June 1918, and President Poincaré and General Mangin of France inspecting captured German trophies. Also shown are part of the town of Saint-Mihiel, scene of a major U.S. triumph in mid-September, and the aftermath of victory with French veterans parading through the village streets. Generals Foch, Haig, Diaz, and Pershing are all seen briefly. Captions read “THE VICTORY OF DEMOCRACY! The great news comes.” Musicians of Ma'alwyck commissioned composer Max Caplan to write a new score to accompany the film and premiered to great success in November. Written for violin, cello and piano, the accompaniment captures the feel of the movie's content, while maintaining a contemporary perspective. Tuneful, memorable and thought-provoking, this musical afternoon is not to be missed. Enjoy delicious appetizers and a cash bar with signature WW1 drinks, and then watch the film paired with its new score and have a chance to meet the composer and musicians, as well as learning about the composition process.
$25