Foreign Film Series – Spring 2010

FREE and open to all! Tuesdays 3:30 pm, Lecture Hall A – Science Building.

 

February 02, 2010
Image from the film The Gods Must Be CrazyThe Gods Must Be Crazy (South Africa – 1984)
Jamie Uys’ unlikely comedy is the story of an African bushman who discovers a discarded Coke bottle which ultimately brings him face to face with modern man for the first time. Very heartwarming, entertaining, full of non-stop high-jinks, this story about an innocent bushman’s encounter with the 20th century has become one of the cult films of the 1980s.

In English.
Director: Jamie Uys, 109 minutes

 


 

February 09, 2010
Image from the film EzraEzra (Nigeria/France – 2007)
Ezra is a 16-year old boy soldier, brought before the Truth and Reconciliation commission to confront his crimes during the Sierra Leone’s civil war. Kidnapped by insurgents at the age of six, along with a dozen other children, Ezra has been taught to forget his past, his family and his religion and to fight for the cause. "The arming of children is among the worst ills of the modern world," wrote Neil Boothby of Columbia University.

In English.
Director: Newtown Aduaka, 110 minutes

 
 

 

February 16, 2010
Image from the film ForgivenessForgiveness (South Africa – 2005)
Forgiveness focuses on the themes of truth and reconciliation surrounding the murder of Daniel Grootboom, an ANC activist. The murderer, a former policeman, has confessed his crime and been given amnesty, but he seeks forgiveness from Daniel’s family. Archbishop Desmond Tutu said of the reconciliation process, "Let us shut the door to the past - not to forget it but to allow it not to imprison us."

In English and Afrikaans with English subtitles.
Director: Ian Gabriel, 118 minutes

 

 

February 23, 2010
Image from the film La Petite Vendeuse de SoleilLa Petite Vendeuse du Soleil (Senegal – 1999)
Directed by the late Djibril Diop Mambety, who saturated each frame of this film with vibrant sunlight, La Petite Vendeuse de Soleil is set in Dakar’s bustling central market. Sili Laam, the petite vendeuse, is a 12 year old paraplegic who begs for alms with her grandmother. Unwilling to accept society’s view of her place in the world, she decides to become the market’s first female newspaper vendor since, "Girls can do anything boys can do." This young heroine gives voice to Mambety’s belief that film can do more than represent the world; it can actually participate in remaking it.

Director: Djibril Diop Mambety, 45 minutes

 

March 02, 2010
Image of the poster for Antonia's LineAntonia's Line (Netherlands – 1995)
In this recasting of a story from the book of Genesis, an 88-year-old Dutchwoman recalls her past on the last day of her life, filled with colorful characters like a Russian midwife-undertaker, a Danish recluse, a mentally disabled girl, a village idiot and a mad Madonna who howls at the moon. Antonia’s Line received an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1996.

In Dutch with English subtitles.
Director: Marlene Gorris, 102 minutes.

 

 

 

March 09, 2010
Image from the film Like Water for ChocolateLike Water for Chocolate (Mexico – 1992)
The most popular Latin American film of all time is an enchanting story of romance and eroticism, set in early 20th century Mexico and focusing on a family’s youngest daughter. Put upon by her mother and siblings, she uses her magical abilities to control people’s emotions through the food she cooks.

In Spanish with English subtitles.
Director: Alfonso Arau. 105 minutes

 

March 23, 2010
Image of the poster for The Whale RiderWhale Rider (New Zealand – 2003)
Like many tribal societies, the Maoris of New Zealand are patriarchal; the concept of a female ruler goes against tradition. Young Pai, by birth, should be the next chieftain, but she must first prove herself to her grandfather, Koro. Whale Rider is the story of Pai's uphill battle to prove she has the courage, strength and fortitude to take over the tribal leadership. Full of humor and deep emotion, this is an uplifting film that questions the ultimate survival of Maoris in modern culture.

In English and Maori with closed captions.
Director: Niki Caro, 105 minutes

 

March 30, 2010
Image of the film Silences of the PalaceSilences of the Palace (Tunisia – 1996)
This "exquisite, compelling" (Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times) film is a rare work by a woman filmmaker working in an Arab country, as well as an emotionally powerful look at the role of women in a changing world. Set in Tunisia in the 1950s, Tlatli tells the personal story of servant women living through the last days of French colonial rule, virtual prisoners in the palace of "the beys." Winner of the Camera d’Or at Cannes Film Festival.

In French with English subtitles.
Director: Moufida Tlatli, 127 minutes

 

April 06, 2010
Image of poster for MediterraneoMediterraneo (Italy – 1991)
Mediterraneo won an Academic Award for Best Foreign Language film in 1991. An eight-man battalion is ordered to secure a strategically unimportant Greek island. They are cut off from their superiors and encounter a liberated, magical community of beautiful women, sad-hearted prostitutes, a sympathetic priest and no resistance. With Diego Abatantuono, Claudio Bigagli and Giuseppe Cederna.

In Italian with English subtitles.
Director: Gabriele Salvatore, 91 minutes

 

April 13, 2010
Image from the film MineMine (USA – 2009)
Mine is a post-Hurricane Katrina documentary that follows New Orleans residents trying to reunite with their pets who have been rescued and dispersed all over the country. In some cases, custody battles ensue when the new families are not willing to give up the pets. Mine, winner of the South by Southwest Audience Award for best documentary feature, examines the extraordinary bond between humans and animals.

In English.
Director: Geralyn Pezanoski, 81 minutes

 

 

 

April 20, 2010
For My FatherFor My Father (Israel/Germany – 2008)

Terek, a young Palestinian in Israel, is forced on a suicide mission to redeem his family’s honor. He is given a chance to rethink his life when the fuse on his explosive vest will not detonate. Waiting for it to be repaired, Terek finds himself living amongst those he had intended to kill and discovers a new desire to remain alive.

In Hebrew with English subtitles.
Director: Dror Zahavi, 100 minutes

 

April 27, 2010
Image from the film StormStorm (Germany – 1999)
Winner of the Amnesty International film prize, Storm follows a prosecutor at the International Criminal Tribunal in the Hague during the trial of a former Yugoslavian Army commander accused of deporting and killing dozens of Bosnian-Muslim civilians. When a key witness commits suicide, Hannah, the prosecutor, travels to Sarajevo to meet with Mira, the witness’ sister.

In German and Serbian with English subtitles.
Director: Hans-Christian Schmid, 105 minutes

 

May 04, 2010
Image from the film The Wind JourneysThe Wind Journeys (Columbia – 2003)
Ignacio has spent his life travelling the villages of Northern Columbia, playing traditional songs on the accordion. According to Columbian legend, the accordion is said to be cursed because it once belonged to the devil. When Ignacio’s wife dies, he decides to make one last trip to the north to return the accordion to his teacher and mentor. Along the way, he meets Fermin, a teenager who wants to become a travelling musician like Ignacio.

In Spanish with English subtitles.
Director: Ciro Guerra, 117 minutes

 

 

This series is sponsored by the Wilkens Library, International Education Committee, Department of Arts and Communication, and the Department of Language and Literature. For more information call Cindy Pavlos at (508) 362-2131 x4453.

 

Individuals requiring auxiliary needs or services to access this event may contact the O'Neill Center for Disability Services, (508) 362-2131 x4337.