Brutal Honesty Photojournalist Reza Speaks on Work Depicting War-Torn Afghanistan by Serena Lei Iranian photo-journalist Reza is speaking to a sold-out crowd at the National Geographic Society as part of the “Live … from National Geographic” lecture series. “If we make the wrong decision in Afghanistan, it will affect our futures, all of us, and our children.” His photographs, as well as his words, are compelling and direct. A soft-spoken, intelligent man whom author Sebastian Junger described as having “nerves of steel,” Reza not only documents the conflict in Afghanistan, he also works passionately to support humanitarian efforts in the region... Passion in ‘Spades’ Tchaikovsky’s Opera, Domingo’s Singing Are Total Immersion Experience by Gary Tischler On stage, the man in his bright red Hussar uniform was telling—and singing—the story of the countess and the three cards. The man sitting next to me sighed with remembered satisfaction. “Yes, yes,” he whispered. “Dreikarten, dreikarten.” He sounded for all the world like a boy seeing “Star Wars” yet again, nudging and whispering, “Here comes the good part.” Thoroughly Vietnam Photojournalist and Historian Offer Refreshing Look at Country of Today by Serena Lei In seemingly every photographic study of a culture, there is a picture of a Coca-Cola billboard anachronistically placed in a rural village or dominating a city bus stop—the specter of Western culture and commercialism so ubiquitous, it should have lost its impact as social commentary. “Vietnam: Spirits of the Earth,& #148; a documentary of present-day Vietnam by photojournalist Mary Cross and historian Frances Fitzgerald, includes one such photo... Island Identity Challenging Trinidad and Tobago Exhibit Reflects Multitude of Cultures by Gary Tischler Outsiders, if they think about Trinidad and Tobago at all, tend to think of it in terms of clichés—tropical islands drifting in the blue of the Caribbean, steel drums, carnival, and maybe Nobel Laureates V.S. Naipaul and Derek Walcott.

The Russians Are Coming Hillwood Museum to Explore History of Catherine the Great by Gary Tischler If anyone should feel right at home at the Hillwood Museum and Gardens, then it would have to be Ekaterina Alexeevna, formerly Sophia Augusta Frederica, also known to us and history as Catherine the Great. Home to Child Refugees Drawings by Afghan Children Reflect Arduous Journey by Serena Lei What is Home? Where is Home?,” now on display at the Capital Children’s Museum, is an exhibit of drawings by Afghan child refugees. For these children, home is a tent in a refugee camp or the memory of a burning house. Home is the hope of safety as they wait in line at a border crossing or walk across mountains littered with landmines to reach a foreign country. For children who were born in a refugee camp, home is something they have never known. Mexican Mix ‘Nine Visions’ and Delgado Exhibits Display Traditional, Modern Art by Gary Tischler The Mexican Cultural Institute Building at 2829 16th St., NW, is a venerable, historic and classic place with stately stairways and beautifully lit rooms. Dining: Grand Prix Winner Winner of DiRoNA Award, Marcel’s French Cuisine Impeccable by Rachel Hunt and Stephen Qualiana Events Film Reviews: Royal Treatment ‘Lady and Duke’ Depicts French Revolution From Aristocrat’s View by Ky N. Nguyen Befitting a movie about the French Revolution, grand master Eric Rohmer manages to surprise everyone... • Naipaul on Screen • Paris in 1969 • ‘Piano Teacher’: Private Lessons • Repertory Notes Film Directory/Cinema International Film Clips