Over the holiday weekend we watched a couple of DVDs I want to tell you about.

“The First Circle.” Adapted from Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn's novel by the same name, this movie is a based on Solzhenitsyn’s personal experience in a Russian prison camp for dissident scientists following the second world war. “First Circle” refers to Dante’s first stop on the descent into the inferno (the prison camps for scientists being horrific but still less awful than camps for the common person).The film paints a vivid picture of the former Soviet Union in the grip of Communism. While the movie is dark, it has moments of true humanity hinting at original glory in the interactions between friends. Solzhenitsyn was a master at showing such beauty in adversity. Starring Victor Garber and Christopher Plummer. Not for family viewing.

“Craft in America.” PBS produced this documentary series which highlights the rise of craft work in America from furniture to jewelry to visual art to basket weaving. You’ll find yourself shaking your head in awe at some of the creations and artists highlighted.