Unforgiven

“Wednesday Movie Club” at Window on America center Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine.
Mr. Joseph Battilega continues his project of introducing American idioms and difficult expressions to the Movie Cub members for the better comprehension of the film content.
The film «Unforgiven» (1992) was presented to all who wish to improve their language skills.
Plot: Retired Old West gunslinger William Munny reluctantly takes on one last job, with the help of his old partner and a young man.
Director: Clint Eastwood
Writer: David Webb Peoples
Stars: Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman and Morgan Freeman

New things about Americans

Today’s session of the GABFEST speaking club (at Window on America center Dnipropetrovsk)was planned as a free-topic session to facilitate the speaking activities of the participants.

We were lucky to have a surprise visit from an American. Mrs. Erica has moved to Dnipropetrovsk due to her husband’s work. It was a great surprise to find out that Erica’s husband is a professional basketball player. Now he has a contract with the local basketball club “DNIPRO”.

Erica told us about herself and her impressions about the city. The club members asked her numerous questions; they have given her recommendation about the choice of the language to study to survive in Dnipropetrovsk. We look forward to more encounter with Mrs. Erica who charmed all the persons with her lovely manners and openness.

The second part of the club was dedicated to the planning of festive sessions. The club members were asked to tell what kind of activities they would like to have for festive sessions in the months to come. The session turned into a “brain-storming” and a lot of ideas were announced.

To draw the line of the speaking activities the club members were asked to tell about the most memorable event of the last week. One group was to tell about positive events and another group – about negative events.

The session was fun and enjoyed by all the participants.

The number of participants – 31persons.

New Arrivals

Book display «Dr. Iron Fist touched these books? May be... »

Donation from Oleksandr Mamrych, political party “Udar», organized by Vitaliy Klitschko.

 Have a look at more pictures, please

Network

The film "Network" (1976) was presented to all who wish to improve their language skills.

Plot: A TV network cynically exploits a deranged ex-TV anchor's ravings and revelations about the media for their own profit.

Director: Sidney Lumet

Writer: Paddy Chayefsky (by)

Stars: Faye Dunaway, William Holden and Peter Finch.

American Literary Talents

Today’s session of GABFEST speaking club (at Window on America center Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine) started with the introductions ritual that allows to find out a few things about the newcomers.

After that the club’s moderator Mrs.Tamara told the club members about her trip to Poland to share the best practices of library activities. Mrs. Tamara made a presentation about the Language Clubs operated at the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Library (DOUNB). The moderator introduced the projects of other librarians which might be implemented at the Gabfest Club. The “Speed Dating” projected received a lot of attention and we will start preparations for it soon.

The Club member Marina shared her impressions about a meeting with the USA Ambassador in Ukraine John Tefft which she attended in Dnipropetrovsk. The Club members asked Marina a lot of questions and decided that it was a sign for Marina to try and participate in one of exchange projects between USA and Ukraine. The Club members were quite interested in the information about the exhibition “Education USA” which was promoted by the visit of the USA official.

The official part of the session was dedicated to world famous American writers – O. Henry, Scott Fitzgerald and Steinbeck. We have read and translated an article about O. Henry and   some of his quotes. A lot of discussion was triggered by the video on his story “The Gift of Magi”.

The mini biography video about Scott Fitzgerald introduced his best-selling novels and the words coined after his fiction character - “a Gatsby” and “a Gatsby party”. The Literary Tourism video about a trip to Long Island was very educational and added some new knowledge to the audience. We even tried to decide on the local equivalent of Long Island.

The mini biography video about John Steinbeck introduced his legacy to the audience. Another “Literary Tourism” video introduced to us a Californian location depicted in one of his popular novels. The modern village kept only two things intact - the beautiful sunrise and the variety of lifestyles.

The information about the American writers was supported by a dozen of their books available at the library.

The number of participants – 25.

The U.S. Ambassador

The U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine John F. Tefft came to Dnipropetrovsk to meet with us, alumni.

 

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner

“Wednesday Movie Club” at Window on America center Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine.

The film "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" (1967) was presented to all who wish to improve their language skills. Matt and Christina Drayton are a couple whose attitudes are challenged when their daughter brings home a fiancé who is black.

Director: Stanley Kramer
Writer: William Rose
Stars: Spencer Tracy, Sidney Poitier and Katharine Hepburn