The International Film Series Presents “Lucky”

Lucky_cover_hiRes
Photo courtesy of Film Movement.

How could a recently orphaned, 10-year old homeless South African boy ever be called Lucky? Over the grave of his dead mother, Lucky makes a promise to make something of himself. Leaving the security of his remote Zulu village for the big city with the hope of going to school, he arrives on the doorstep of an uncle who has no use for him. Lucky then falls in with Padme, a formidable Indian woman with an inherent fear of Africans, who takes him in as she would a stray dog. Together, unable to speak each other’s language, they develop an unlikely bond. Through an odyssey marked by greed, violence, and ultimately belonging, Lucky shows how a child’s spirit can bring out decency, humility and even love in adults struggling to survive in the new South Africa.

Directed by Avie Luthra this award-winning South African film is in Zulu, Hindi and English with English subtitles.

Please join us on Tuesday September 22nd at 7pm in Room 305 of the Weinberg Memorial Library for this free event. Jean Lenville, Assistant dean of the Library, will lead a discussion after the film.

This film is open to faculty, staff, students, and the public. Please email Sharon.finnerty@scranton.edu for more information.

Personal Property Lost and Found in the Library

As the new academic year begins, it’s time for a reminder about the Library’s policy on personal property. The University of Scranton assumes no responsibility or liability for personal property lost or stolen on The Weinberg Memorial Library premises. Library users and guests are urged not to leave personal property unattended in the Library.

Items found by Library staff or Library users should be turned in to Library Lost and Found at the Library’s Circulation Desk on the Library’s first floor. Library Circulation staff will make an effort to contact the owners of Royal Cards to return the cards. At the beginning of each weekday, Royal Cards not picked up and other found items are turned over to University Lost and Found in the Parking Pavilion. The Library will not mail lost items to owners. Personal property not recovered from the Library staff will be located at University Police, Lost and Found, located in the Parking Pavilion.

Spotlight on Student Workers: Janis Segura

An interest in movies motivated Janis Segura to apply for work in Media Resource/EdLab, and the Library would like to thank her for her hard work and dedication. A senior majoring in Finance, Janis is from Red Bank, New Jersey. She chose The University because the values of social justice and service appealed to her.

Janis is friendly and helpful to all Library patrons. She quickly became proficient in using Sierra and when patrons need assistance, she can quickly point them in the direction of films or books that will best meet their needs. Her favorite things about working in the library are the friendly staff and getting to see the new films that arrive. Her advice for other students is to borrow materials from Media Resources because it offers a variety of feature films in addition to educational material. Her favorite books are the Maze Runner Series and her favorite films are the Dark Knight Trilogy and Whiplash. Her favorite professor is Keith Yurgosky.

In addition to her studies and work in the Library, Janis volunteers with The SMART Program at Scranton High School, and she will begin volunteering with Junior Achievement in a local grade school this month. Her career goals are to work in finance and eventually become a math teacher.

Congratulations on your upcoming graduation Janis! We wish you all the best!

 

The International Film Series Presents ”The Visitor”

The visitor0024796
Image courtesy of Starz Media.

Please join us on Tuesday May 12th at 7 p.m. in the Moskovitz Theater in The DeNaples Center for a free presentation of “The Visitor”. “The Visitor” tells the story of an economics professor, Walter Vale, who after losing his wife has lost his passion for teaching. When Walter’s college sends him to a conference in Manhattan, he is surprised to discover that a young couple has moved into his seldom-used apartment in the city. Tricked in a real estate scam, the couple, Tarek and Zainab, have nowhere to go. Walter allows the couple to stay in his apartment and unexpectedly develops a connection to them that invigorates his mundane life.  When Tarek is arrested and taken to a detention center, Walter is compelled to help which gives new focus to his life.

A New York Times Critics Pick, “The Visitor” is directed by Tom McCarthy and stars Richard Jenkins. “The Visitor” is in English.

This film is open to faculty, staff, students, and the public. Please email Sharon.finnerty@scranton.edu for more information.

 

The International Film Series Presents “East/West”

East-West_1999

The International Film Series is proud to present the French drama “East/West” (Est/Ouest) on Tuesday April 21, 2015 at 7 p.m. in the Moskovitz Theater in the DeNaples Center. A discussion led by Dr. Sean Brennan will follow the film. “East/West” follows a young couple invited back to the Soviet Union after the end of World War II. Alexei Golovine (Oleg Menchikov), his French bride Marie (Sandrine Bonnaire), and their son are forced to cope with the grim reality of the post-war Soviet Union after their arrival. The film details the internal and external pressures put on the family, especially Marie, who is viewed with much suspicion. Marie tries to survive in the harsh circumstances and finds a hope of freedom when she meets a touring French actress (Catherine Deneuve). However, she is forced to make a difficult choice: leave her husband and child behind, or stay in the Soviet Union and face a dark future.

Directed by Regis Wargnier, East/West is in French and Russian with English subtitles.

This free event is open to faculty, staff, students, and the public. Please email sharon.finnerty@scranton.edu for more information.

The International Film Series is sponsored by a University of Scranton Diversity Initiative Grant through the Office of Equity and Diversity.

Spotlight on Student Workers: Vincent Castellani

For the past two years Vincent Castellani has been providing friendly, knowledgeable service to patrons of Media Resources and EdLab and the Library would like to recognize his dedication and hard work.

Starting every shift with a positive attitude and the question ”What are we working on today?” Vincent is always up to the task, whether it’s taking inventory, making book or video displays or creating Excel spreadsheets. Vincent enjoys the flexible hours available at the University and since he lives locally, he has worked during summer and Intersession as well as during the academic year.

Vincent is enrolled as an undergraduate studying Chemistry-Business and is also currently working on his MBA here as well. His favorite class has been Organic Chemistry with Dr. Michael Fennie. His favorite books are “A Song of Fire and Ice” and his favorite movie is “The Dark Knight”.

Thank you for your hard work, Vincent and congratulations on your upcoming graduation!

The International Film Series Presents: Shadow Magic

 

shadpicsThe International Film Series is proud to present a touching story of the introduction of motion pictures to China in the early 20th century. In Shadow Magic photographer Liu Jinglun (Xia Yu) is intrigued by the talk of westerner Raymond Wallace (Jared Harris) about “moving pictures”. Liu unintentionally defies the traditions of his culture as he tries to bridge the gap between western technology and his Chinese community. The film follows the internal struggle of Liu as he deals with cultural conflict, loyalty to his family and friends, and trying to improve his social standing so that he can be with the woman he loves.

 Directed by Ann Hu Shadow Magic is in Mandarin and English with English subtitles.

 Please join us on Wednesday March 25th at 7pm in the Moskovitz Theater in The DeNaples Center for this free event.Dr. Shuhua Fan will lead a discussion after the film.

 This film is open to faculty, staff, students, and the public. Please email Sharon.finnerty@scranton.edu for more information.

 Film series sponsored by a University of Scranton Diversity Initiative Grant through the Office of Equity and Diversity.

Spotlight on Student Workers: Kristen Thomas

Graduation seemed far-off when Kristen Thomas began working in the Weinberg Memorial Library’s Media Resources Department 3 ½ years ago, but now it’s right around the corner, and the Library would like to recognize Kristen’s hard work and commitment.

Kristen, a Moosic native and Counseling and Human Services major, has worked year-round in the Library and has lent her organizational and creative skills to many projects such as an inventory of EdLab books and Media materials, and preparing for last year’s Media Resources’ Open House. She is an enthusiastic worker whose favorite perks of the job are talking with faculty outside of the classroom and previewing the latest films.

Outside of her studies, Kristen has been a member of Urban Beats Crew, and completed two internships in school counseling and has two additional part-time jobs! Her favorite book and movie are “The Perks of Being a Wallflower.”

Kristen feels that the Library staff is very helpful and her advice for students is to ask a librarian when they need help because the librarian will guide them in the right direction. She advises students to utilize the online resources too.

When her studies are completed, Kristen plans to work as a school counselor.

Thank you, Kristen, and best wishes for the future!

The International Film Series Presents “The Big City”

bfi-00o-eom.jpg
Photo courtesy of RDB Entertainments, Ltd.

Please join us for a free screening of “The Big City” (Mahānagara) on Wednesday February 11th at 7 p.m. in the Moskovitz Theater in The DeNaples Center. Dr. Satyajit Ghosh will lead a discussion after the film.

One of famed director Satyajit Ray’s greatest films, “The Big City” (Mahānagara) is set in Calcutta in the early 1960’s. The film centers on the changes in society and how they affect a traditional Indian family. Subrata and his wife Arati are having trouble supporting children and his parents on his salary as a bank clerk. With her husband’s reluctant support Arati takes a sales job in the city, but some family members have trouble adjusting to her new-found independence.

“The Big City” is in Bengali with English subtitles.

This event is open to faculty, staff, students and the public. Please email sharon.finnerty@scranton.edu for more information.

Film series sponsored by a University of Scranton Diversity Initiative Grant through the Office of Equity and Diversity.

The International Film Series Presents: The Little Girl who Sold the Sun

 

The Little Girl who Sold the Sun
Photo courtesy of California Newsreel.

The International Film Series presents a free screening of The Little Girl Who Sold the Sun (La Petite Vendeuse de Soleil) on Wednesday November 19th at 7 p.m. in the Moskovitz Theater in The DeNaples Center. Dr. Annie Hounsokou will lead a discussion following the film.

Set in Dakar, Senegal The Little Girl Who Sold the Sun is director Djibril Diop Mambety’s tribute to street children. It tells the story of Sili Lam, a resilient twelve year old paraplegic who is the lone girl in the competitive world of male newspaper vendors. With the local policeman suspicious of her good fortune when she sells all her newspapers and the newsboys taunting her, can Sili persevere and rise above her difficult circumstances?

The Little Girl Who Sold the Sun is in Wolof with English subtitles.

This event is open to faculty, staff, students and the public. Please email sharon.finnerty@scranton.edu for more information.

Film series sponsored by a University of Scranton Diversity Initiative Grant through the Office of Equity and Diversity.