World Film Fest at Skokie Public Library
Winter 2009-2010
This winter the Library will present another series of critically acclaimed world films, reflective of the diverse culture of Skokie. A short discussion will follow each movie, unless otherwise noted.
| Monday, December 7 | And Now Ladies and Gentlemen |
| Monday, January 4 | For My Father |
| Monday, February 1 | To Live |
Monday, December 7 at 6:30pm (note early start time)
And Now Ladies and Gentlemen (France)
Released 2002 –
128 minutes –
PG-13 for momentary language
In English and French
A jewel thief and a nightclub singer are brought together by fate, each suffering from unusual blackout episodes. They travel halfway across the world to a mysterious village, hoping to find a cure. Along the way they fall in love, changing their lives forever. Claude Lelouch (A Man and a Woman) directed this romantic thriller, starring Jeremy Irons and Patricia Kaas.
| Acclaim: |
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Cannes Film Festival – screened out of competition |
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"A beautifully crafted meditation on memory, fate, coincidence and yearning." Denver Post |
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"Charming, glamorous, emotionally suggestive but slight." Chicago Tribune |
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"It's a sparkling mix of romance, comedy and drama, with gorgeous stars, breathtaking locations and a tricky story structure that eludes every effort to guess what might happen next." Minneapolis Star Tribune |
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"The film goes on too long and adds up to very little, but the director's undisguised pleasure in filming the world of his grandiose, sentimental dreams is contagious. His visual compositions are as lush and suave as the score by Michel Legrand, which shares the soundtrack with some heart-stopping numbers sung by Ms. Kaas." The New York Times |
For My Father (Sof Shavua B'Tel Aviv) (Israel)
Released 2008 –
100 minutes –
Not rated
In Hebrew with some Arabic dialogue
Terek, a young Palestinian man forced into a suicide mission in Tel Aviv, is given a second chance at life when the fuse does not detonate. He arranges for a repair and must spend the weekend with the people he was going to kill. During this time, Terek connects with several locals, especially Karen, who runs a kiosk in the market and is cut off from her Orthodox family.
| Acclaim: |
|
Award of the Israeli Film Academy – nominated – Best Actor, Best Art Direction, Best Music, Best Screenplay, Best Sound, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress |
|
Moscow International Film Festival – winner – Audience Award |
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Cinequest Film Festival – winner – Audience Award |
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Stony Brook Film Festival – winner – Grand Prize |
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Asian Film Festival Mumbai – winner – Best Film |
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New Jersey Jewish Film Festival – winner – Audience Award |
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Sofia International Film Festival – winner – Grand Prix |
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Official selection: Hamptons International Film Festival, Montreal World Film Festival, Zurich Film Festival, New York Jewish International Film Festival |
Monday, February 1 at 6:30pm (note early start time)
To Live (Huo zhe) (China)
Released 1994 –
133 minutes – Not rated
In Mandarin Chinese
Beginning in 1940s China and continuing several years after, a once prosperous family experiences tragic hardship and loss. The family lives through political and social turmoil, yet there is still optimism for the future. Based on the book by Yu Hua, directed by Zhang Yimou and starring Gong Li and Ge You.
| Acclaim: |
|
BAFTA Awards – winner – Best Film not in the English Language |
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Cannes Film Festival – winner – Best Actor, Grand Prize of the Jury, Prize of the Ecumenical Jury |
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Cannes Film Festival – nominated – Golden Palm |
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Chlotrudis Awards – nominated – Best Actress |
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Golden Globe – nominated – Best Foreign Language Film |
