The Unbearable Lightness of Being
First screened in Winter 1992 / Most recently screened in June 2014
Director: Philip Kaufman. Cast: Daniel Day-Lewis, Juliette Binoche, Lena Olin, Pavel Landovsky, Derek de Lint, Stellan Skarsgård, Erland Josephson, Daniel Olbrychski, Donald Moffat, Tomasz Borkowy, Pascale Kalensky, Bruce Myers, László Szabó, Pavel Slabý, Consuelo De Haviland. Screenplay: Jean-Claude Carrière and Philip Kaufman (based on the novel by Milan Kundera).

 Twitter Capsule: Novel of ideas richly adapted. Earthy, intellectual, lissome, relaxed. Bodies amid social forces.

VOR: ⑤  Rare case of honoring heady book while cutting it to human size. Intriguing political argument and documentary-inspired elements.


Photo © 1988 Orion Pictures

Not yet reviewed in full. Grade: A

Academy Award Nominations:
Best Adapted Screenplay: Jean-Claude Carrière & Philip Kaufman
Best Cinematography: Sven Nykvist

Golden Globe Nominations and Winners:
Best Picture (Drama)
Best Supporting Actress: Lena Olin

Other Awards:
Independent Spirit Awards: Best Cinematography
National Society of Film Critics: Best Picture; Best Director
Boston Society of Film Critics: Best Actor (Day-Lewis); Best Cinematography
British Academy Awards (BAFTAs): Best Adapted Screenplay
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