Illustration by Robert John Paterson
‘Tis our pleasure to announce that this month’s doc night features a politically charged and bitterly gripping story that fuses tantalizing conspiracies, personal drama, and a great deal of historical investigation in this 81-minute debut film by Chad Garcia. The Russian Woodpecker borrows its name from a Soviet broadcast radio antenna whose tormenting clicking sound haunts nearby ghost towns on the border between Ukraine and Russia. While its suspicious use as a secret weapon during the Cold War remains a shrouded mystery, the “Duga” has become a source of obsessive fascination and intrigue for the film’s offbeat and zany protagonist, Fedor Alexandrovich. Physically and emotionally afflicted by the very palpable lingering effects of the Chernobyl meltdown in 1986, Fedor’s got a radioactive bone to pick with this sinister machine.
Join the Harvard Seal at 6:30 pm at the Bloor Cinema this Wednesday as we discover the thrilling adventure worthy of the Sundance Grand Jury award, and whose charming lead subject became an instant Doc Soup favourite. This is the kind of stimulating documentary that guarantees for meaningful conversation at our post-film discussion – so please join us in the basement of the Labyrinth Lounge (Brunswick Ave. just south of Bloor) following the film for some drinks and even better discussion. If you’ve already seen the film and want to join us for the discussion, we’ll be there around 8:30 pm. Catch us there!
If you’re new to the club or want to chime in on the conversation, shoot us an email at theharvardseal@gmail.com so that a member of the HS Doc Club crew can greet you at the door. All friends are welcome!
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