Once again we have a literary adaptation, this time of Pushkin’s novella, The Queen of Spades. His ghost story is so compelling that it was also chosen by Tchaikovsky for his opera of the same name (also known by its French title, Pique dame). While it is frequently described as a moral tale about avarice, I am inclined to think of it more as a story about our doomed quest for absolute certainty. We will give, or do, almost anything, walk the crookedest road, if only it leads us to the gate of the sure thing, the bet we cannot lose. But when we arrive, we will – will or no – sacrifice all: fortune, sanity, life itself, not finally to pass the iron door.
For a link to the livestream and recording, please subscribe ($5 ticket/$10 subscription with access to all of our films). This is what sustains our series of fascinating silent films with Dr. Carli’s wonderful improvised accompaniments and commentary. I will make a final check at noon on Sunday 5/5 for new subscribers and ticket holders who wish to join us live at 2 pm; after the livestream the recording will remain available at the same link.