Modern and Classical Languages
Multilingual Film Festival
Fall 2009
Thursdays 5-7 pm
Craig Hall 206
"Auf der Andersen Seite" September 10
Summary
When his father (Tuncel Kurtiz) accidentally kills a prostitute (Nursel Koese), Nejat (Baki Davrak) seeks out the woman's 27-year-old daughter, Ayten (Nurgul Yesilcay), to make amends. Nejat focuses his search in Turkey, but Ayten, part of a closely scrutinized activist group, has already fled to Germany. Lives intersect in unexpected ways in writer-director Fatih Akin's multilayered drama, which won Best Screenplay at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival. (www.netflix.com)
"O homen que copiava" September 24
Summary
High school dropout Andre toils as a photocopier in a bookstore in the town of Porto Alegre, Brazil. He lives with his mother, and it would be a dead-end existence if not for his love for shop assistant Silvia. Trouble is, she's got a date with someone else, and it's up to Andre to come up with $38 for a dress that might impress her enough to keep him in the running for her affection. Stars Lazaro Ramos and Leandra Leal. Jorge Furtado directs. (www.netflix.com)
"Meia-noite" October 8
Summary
On the eve of the millennium, Maria (Fernanda Torres) is unceremoniously dumped by her live-in boyfriend. Crushed, she goes onto the roof of her apartment building to commit suicide but instead meets Joao (Luiz Carlos Vasconcelos), an ex-con who's on his way to kill an informant. Director Walter Salles's visually impressive drama follows the couple as they spend the final two days of the 20th century together on the beaches of Rio de Janeiro. (www.netflix.com)
"Amores Possiveis" October 29
Summary
Winner of the 2001 Sundance Jury prize for Latin American Cinema, Sandra Werneck's earnest romantic comedy takes a unique approach to young love by posing multiple scenarios for the main characters, Carlos (Murilo Benicio) and his girlfriend Julia (Carolina Ferraz). See how one seemingly insignificant choice can change the future as Carlos waits for Julia to arrive at a movie theater. Will she show up, and what will happen if she doesn't? (www.netflix.com)
"Le Grand Voyage" November 12
Summary
Driving his traditional Muslim father (Mohamed Majd) across Europe en route to Mecca, thoroughly modern college student Reda (Nicolas Cazale) finds little to say to the old man. But along the way, as the gap between father and son begins to narrow, the two discover that ultimately it's the journey -- not the destination -- that matters. For his fresh take on the road trip formula, director Ismael Ferroukhi earned a BAFTA nomination (www.netflix.com)