American Law as Portrayed in American Films

On March 6 crime drama Donnie Brasco (1997) was shown and discussed. John C. Engstrom, Resident Legal Advisor ( U.S. Embassy - Kyiv) told the audience  that Donnie Brasco is based on true story of Joseph Pistone whose testimony resulted in hundreds of arrests within the New York Mafia in the late 1970s.Undercover FBI agent is taken under the wing of low level mobster and soon finds that the lines between his work and his personal life start to blur.

After film discussion lasted more than an hour. 14 American Library patrons watched the film and took part in discussion. One of the patrons admitted that

Pacino's fine work is the key to the film succeeding but it might be best remembered as Johnny Depp's coming-out party. A star -- check that, an actor -- is born. The audience liked this tense, sharp and compelling character study. Everyone agreed that Newell's film is a worthy addition to the Mob-movie canon. 

AMERICAN LAW AS PORTRAYED IN AMERICAN FILMS

On February 13 creime drama Dead Man Walking was shown and discussed. John C. Engstrom, Resident Legal Advisor ( U.S. Embassy - Kyiv) told the audience that this film is thought-provoking and worth talking about for a long time afterward.

After film discussion lasted more than an hour. Everyone wanted to share his own opinion on death penalty, on forgiveness and revenge. 12 American Library patrons watched the film and took part in discussion. Some of them there are lawers and students of law schools. They admited that such talks are very useful in their profession.

On January 16, 2016 at 6:00PM crime drama Anatomy of a Murder (1959) has been shown and discussed.

John C. Engstrom, Resident Legal Advisor, U.S. Embassy, Kyiv presented the film and lead an after film discussion.

Based on the best-selling novel by Robert Traver (the pseudonym for Michigan Supreme Court justice John D. Voelker), Anatomy of a Murder is 1959 American courtroom crime drama. The most popular film by Hollywood provocateur Otto Preminger, was groundbreaking for the frankness of its discussion of sex—but more than anything else, it is a striking depiction of the power of words.

Viewers liked the progressive-jazz musical score is provided by Duke Ellington, who also appears in a brief scene.

22 patrons enjoyed the showing. Mostly students of Kyiv Mohyla Academy, National Taras Shevchenko University, six employees and one lecturer.

American Law as Portrayed in Films

On October 10, 2012 at 6:00 pm historic drama The Conspirator (2010) has been shown and discussed.

John C. Engstrom Resident Legal Advisor of US Embassy presented the film and led the discussion.

This movie is about the struggle between justice and country. The emotional conflicts are very deep and strong. It's a fantastic drama that keeps you at the edge of your seat, mixed in with historic details. The cast is riveting, with breathtakingly well-done small and large parts. Viewers enjoyed it and it got them thinking. One of the American Library patrons admitted that there was the real subtlety here -- art and history brought together.

19 patrons enjoyed great acting and amazing directing by Robert Redford.

Mostly students of Kyiv Mohyla Academy and Taras Shevchenko University, 6 employees and one lecturer.

On April 6, 2012 at 6:00 PM crime drama Find Me Guilty (2006) has been shown and discussed. John C. Engstrom Resident Legal Advisor of US Embassy presented the film and lead the afterfilm discussion together with William McGilton. Presenter told the audience that the film was based on real events. It depicts the longest Mafia trial in NYC history, and most of the dialog is taken from the original records of the trial. In 1987-88, some 20 members of the Lucchese crime family, each with his own lawyer, were indicted on some 76 charges ranging from criminal conspiracy to narcotics trafficking. The trial went on for 21 months. After showing one of our patrons admitted that the movie had a really great script; it was funny, dramatic and touching. Viewers were really surprised by Vin Diesel's performance, they weren't expecting him to pull it off. Most people never have any interaction with the criminal justice system so they asked a lot of questions especially about jury selection and it’s work. John Engstrom explained that the jury pool is first selected from among the community using a reasonably random method and employers usually kept their salaries. At the end our presenters received an ovation. 19 patrons enjoyed the movie. Mostly students of Kyiv Mohyla Academy and Taras Shevchenko University, three employees and two lecturers.