The International Film Series Presents: The Black Balloon

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Image courtesy of Neoclassics Films Ltd.

When Thomas and his family move to a new home and he has to start at a new school, he just wants to fit in. That becomes more difficult when his pregnant mother is hospitalized and his father puts him in charge of his autistic older brother Charlie. Thomas struggles with the responsibility since he both loves and is sometimes embarrassed by his older brother. Will the support of his family and new girlfriend be enough to help Thomas fit in and accept his often chaotic family life?

Director Elissa Down drew on her experiences growing up with two autistic brothers, and she offers a realistic and sympathetic look at a family with an autistic teenager.  The Black Balloon is in English and stars Rhys Wakefield, Gemma Ward and Toni Collette.

Please join us on Wednesday May 4th at 7 p.m. in Room 305 of the Weinberg Memorial Library for this free event. Professor Allison Lai will lead a discussion following the film.

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

The International Film Series Presents: Her

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Image courtesy of Warner Bros.

Set in Los Angeles in the not-too-distant future Her leaves the viewer with plenty to think about and discuss. It tells the story of Theodore a lonely writer who is having trouble accepting the break-up of his marriage. When he purchases a new operating system, OS1, which is advertised with the words “It’s not just an operating system; it’s a consciousness,” his life begins to change. Before long Theodore comes to depend on “Samantha,” the voice of his constantly evolving operating system. When the relationship becomes intimate, it leaves both of them wondering if a romance between a human being and a cyber consciousness can be sustained.

Directed by Spike Jonze, Her is in English and stars Joaquin Phoenix and Amy Adams.

Please join us on Wednesday April 13th at 7 p.m. in Room 305 of the Weinberg Memorial Library for this free event. Professor Donna Witek will lead a discussion following the film.

Please note: This film portrays adult situations and language.

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

The International Film Series Presents: “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?”

 

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Photo courtesy of Film Movement.

 

Please join us on Wednesday November 18, 2015 at 7 p.m. in Room 305 of the Weinberg Memorial Library for a free presentation of the Taiwanese comedy “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?”

Film Movement describes the film as a lighthearted comedic romp, where introvert Weichung begins to question his marriage to Feng when she signals she’s ready to have another baby, and an unexpected encounter with a friend from his past awakens long-dormant emotions. It all sets him off on a quest for true romance and desire.

Directed by Arvin Chen “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?” is in Mandarin with English subtitles. Dr. Ann Pang-White will lead a discussion following the film.

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:”Like Water for Chocolate”

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Image courtesy of Miramax.

“Like Water for Chocolate” (Como Agua para Chocolate) is an internationally popular Mexican film that focuses on Tita, a young woman who discovers that her cooking has magical effects on others. Tita is the youngest of three daughters who is bound by tradition to remain unmarried so she can cook and care for her aging mother. When Tita falls in love with the handsome Pedro, her mother forbids their marriage. To remain close to Tita, Pedro agrees to marry her sister, Rosaura. This, of course, complicates life for everyone and Tita’s feelings are transferred to the delicious meals she creates.

Directed by Alfonso Arau this award-winning Mexican film is in Spanish with English subtitles.

Please join us on Thursday October 1st at 7 p.m. in Room 305 of the Weinberg Memorial Library for this free event. Dr. Ileana Szymanski will lead a discussion following the film.

Please note: This film portrays adult situations and language.

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

 

The International Film Series Presents “Lucky”

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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.

The International Film Series Presents ”The Visitor”

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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”

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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.

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.

The International Film Series Presents “The Big City”

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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.