This Week in KMBL 250
Hidden Letters (2022)
Directed by Violet Du Feng & Qing Zha
Mandarin, 89 min.
For thousands of years, women in China, who were often forced into oppressive marriages and forbidden to read or write, shared a secret language among themselves called Nushu. Offering a unique lens through which to view women’s equality, this fascinating documentary explores the increasing commercialization of the deeply private Nushu language.
Wednesday, Sep. 27 — 5:35PM
Thursday, Sep. 28 — 9:30PM
Friday, Sep. 29 — 7:00PM
Saturday, Sep. 30 — 12:50PM
Saturday, Sep. 30 — 4:50PM
The Lunchbox (2013)
Directed by Ritesh Batra
Hindi, 104 min.
A young woman makes an unexpected connection to an older man after a mistaken delivery in Mumbai's uniquely efficient lunchbox delivery system. Together their relationship and worldview develops through notes they exchange via lunchbox.
Thursday, Sep. 28 — 7:20PM
Friday, Sep. 29 — 2:30PM
Friday, Sep. 29 — 8:50PM
Saturday, Sep. 30 — 2:45PM
Saturday, Sep. 30 — 9:10PM
Volver (2006)
Directed by Pedro Almodóvar
Spanish, 121 min.
Raimunda, a working-class woman, goes to great lengths to protect her 14-year-old daughter. When Raimunda’s mother returns from the dead, things really get complicated in this beloved comedy-drama from one of Spain’s greatest directors.
Wednesday, Sep. 27 — 7:30PM
Thursday, Sep. 28 — 5:00PM
Friday, Sep. 29 — 4:40PM
Saturday, Sep. 30 — 10:30AM
Saturday, Sep. 30 — 6:45PM
Semester Schedule
September 8–9
Return to the Dust (2022)
Directed by Ruijun Li
Mandarin, 131 min.
A humble man and a sickly woman forge a loving bond in their arranged marriage as they work the land and try to build a home for themselves in rural China in this meditative and beautifully filmed drama that was targeted by China’s censors shortly after its release.
Princess Mononoke (1997)
Directed by Hayao Miyazaki
Japanese, 134 min.
On a journey to find the cure for a Tatarigami's curse, Ashitaka finds himself in the middle of a war between the forest gods and Tatara, a mining colony. In this quest he also meets Princess Mononoke, the human companion of the wolf god, Moro.
September 13-16
Cinema Sabaya (2021)
Directed by Orit Fouks Rotem
Hebrew, Arabic, 91 min.
A group of women, Arab and Jewish, become unlikely classmates and friends in a community video workshop. Their young instructor assigns each to share something of their lives through a camera, challenging the group’s worldviews and capacity for acceptance.
Sweet Bean (2015)
Directed by Naomi Kawase
Japanese, 113 min.
Sentaro, a stall manager, struggles with making a decent dorayaki, a pancake-like treat with a sweet bean paste. When Tokue, a septuagenarian, comes to the shop with a solution to his problems, they all get a lesson about tolerance, compassion and good food.
L'Immensità (2022)
Directed by Emanuele Crialese
Italian, 99 min.
In 1970s Rome, a mother of three creates a joyous life for her children despite the challenges of a failing marriage. This sun-drenched, pop music-infused family drama celebrates the power of a mother-child relationship.
September 20-23
Saint Omer (2022)
Directed by Alice Diop
French, 122 min.
A riveting legal drama based on a real-life case of a Senegalese woman accused of killing her own child. Director Alice Diop, known for her documentaries, brings an astute eye and sense of realism to this challenging story.
Ramen Shop (2018)
Directed by Eric Khoo
Japanese, English, Mandarin, Cantonese, 89 min.
After the death of his father, young Japanese ramen chef, Masato, goes to Singapore in search of culinary and ancestral memories. With the help of a food blogger, Masato learns to connect his cross-cultural roots through the creation of a new ramen recipe.
Olga (2021)
Directed by Elie Grappe
Ukrainian, 85 min.
A 15-year-old Ukrainian gymnast pursues her training in Switzerland while distracted by concern for her family’s safety as political unrest at home escalates into a full-scale uprising.
September 27-30
Hidden Letters (2022)
Directed by Violet Du Feng & Qing Zha
Mandarin, 89 min.
For thousands of years, women in China, who were often forced into oppressive marriages and forbidden to read or write, shared a secret language among themselves called Nushu. Offering a unique lens through which to view women’s equality, this fascinating documentary explores the increasing commercialization of the deeply private Nushu language.
The Lunchbox (2013)
Directed by Ritesh Batra
Hindi, 104 min.
A young woman makes an unexpected connection to an older man after a mistaken delivery in Mumbai's uniquely efficient lunchbox delivery system. Together their relationship and worldview develops through notes they exchange via lunchbox.
Volver (2006)
Directed by Pedro Almodóvar
Spanish, 121 min.
Raimunda, a working-class woman, goes to great lengths to protect her 14-year-old daughter. When Raimunda’s mother returns from the dead, things really get complicated in this beloved comedy-drama from one of Spain’s greatest directors.
October 4-7
What Will People Say (2018)
Directed by Iram Haq
Urdu, Norwegian, 106 Min.
Nisha faces severe repercussions from her Pakistani family after attempting to integrate with her teen peers in Norway.
Gather (2020)
Directed by Sanjay Rawa
English, 74 min.
In this enlightening documentary, Indigenous Americans describe “food sovereignty” and how it allows them to reclaim spiritual and cultural identities.
Bille (2018)
Directed by Inara Kolmane
Latvian, 104 min.
Based on the life of one of Latvia’s greatest literary figures, Bille follows an eight-year-old girl and her family as they struggle to make ends meet in the late 1930s. A touching and bittersweet portrait of life in Latvia before the Soviet occupation, told through the eyes of a child.
October 11-14
The Quiet Girl (2022)
Directed by Colm Bairéad
Irish Gaelic, English, 95 min.
Set in 1981 Ireland, a neglected girl is sent away from her family to live with foster parents on a farm for the summer, where she is nurtured and truly loved for the first time. This beautifully arresting quiet film, largely voiced in Gaelic, becomes a meditation on chosen family.
The Kitchen Brigade (2022)
Directed by Louis-Julien Petit
French, 97 min.
A strong-willed sous-chef who dreams of opening her own restaurant gets a job as live-in chef at a shelter for undocumented minors in northern France. A tender look at food, friendship, and the struggle to find a home in the world.
For Sama (2019)
Directed by Waad Al-Kateab and Edward Watts
Arabic, 100 min.
Taking the form of a love letter from a young mother to her daughter, this film tells the story of Waad al-Kateab's life surviving five years of brutal war in Aleppo, Syria. Through incredible, intimate footage, a lived reality of life under siege, particularly for women, comes into sharp focus.
October 18-21
My Happy Family (2017)
Directed by Nana Ekvtimishvili and Simon Groß
Georgian, 120 min.
For reasons slowly disclosed as the film progresses, 52-year-old schoolteacher, Manana, leaves her parents, husband and children to find an apartment of her own.
All Of Me (2014)
Directed by Arturo González Villaseñor
Spanish, 90 min.
This inspiring documentary features the women of La Patrona, Mexico, as they provide aid to migrants hanging from freight trains during passage to the United States. Through riveting acts of selfless dedication, often putting themselves at risk, the women serve their desperate countrymen with food and care.
Autumn Sonata (1978)
Directed by Ingmar Bergman
Swedish, 99 min.
A renowned pianist visits her estranged daughter after years apart. Unresolved grievances and emotional scars resurface during an intense night of confrontation, leading to poignant reflections on their complex relationship and the passage of time.
October 25-28
Almanya: Welcome to Germany (2011)
Directed by Yasemin Samdereli
Turkish and German, 101 min.
With humor and nuance, this tragicomedy explores how three generations of a Turkish-German family navigate the challenges of cross-cultural identities.
4 Little Girls (1997)
Directed by Spike Lee
English, 102 min.
The 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama marks a pivotal moment in the struggle for civil rights. Through archival footage and heartfelt testimonials, Spike Lee commemorates the lives of the four young girls murdered that day.
Mother of Mine (2005)
Directed by Klaus Härö
Finnish, Swedish, 111 Min.
Sent to Sweden for safety during World War II, a young Finnish boy struggles to understand his mother's decision and his own identity. Torn between two families, he learns about love, sacrifice, and the complexities of war's aftermath.
November 1-4
Song without a Name (2019)
Directed by Melina Léon
Quechua, Spanish , 97 min.
This Peruvian drama highlights the horror of human trafficking through the perspective of a mother whose baby is stolen from a fraudulent clinic immediately after the child’s birth.
Mami Wata (2023)
Directed by C.J. ‘Firey’ Obasi
Fon, 107 min.
Winner of the 2023 Special Jury Prize for World Dramatic Cinema at Sundance, this hypnotically beautiful black-and-white folkloric fantasy evokes the power of women amid social turmoil.
The Ten Commandments (1923)
Directed by Cecil B. DeMille
Silent, 136 min.
Celebrate the 100-year anniversary of Cecil B. DeMille’s epic biblical masterpiece. Unlike later adaptations, DeMille’s film is divided into two parts: the story of Moses in Exodus, and a modern drama set in San Francisco about two rival brothers and their understanding of the commandments.
November 8-11
Alcarràs (2022)
Directed by Carla Simón
Catalan, Spanish, 120 min.
Set in the rural Catalonian town of Alcarràs, one extended family is tested when their beloved peach orchards and way of life are threatened. With lyrical, sun-kissed cinematography, non-professional Catalan speaking actors give this film a sense of vibrant authenticity and life.
I Am Not A Witch (2017)
Directed by Rungano Nyoni
Nyanja, Bemba, Tonga, 93 min.
A young Zambian girl accused of witchcraft is imprisoned in a “witch camp” and made to perform forced labor.
The Pencil (2019)
Directed by Natalya Nazarova
Russian, 92 min.
An artist from Saint Petersburg whose husband has been imprisoned as a political dissident moves to a rural town to begin a new life as an art teacher. She soon finds herself in a potentially violent struggle of wills with a young student whose brother is a feared local gang leader.
November 15-18
Faces Places (2017)
Directed by JR and Agnès Varda,
French, 94 Min.
Charming documentary/road movie about 89-year-old filmmaker Agnès Varda and 33-year-old photographer/street artist JR as they travel around French villages and take epic-size photographs of locals to display them on public buildings.
Quest (2017)
Directed by Jonathan Olshefski,
English, 104 min.
Preceded by the short, States of America: MARYLAND by IC co-director Brad Barber, 5 min.
Filmed for nearly a decade, Quest is the moving portrait of a family living in North Philadelphia. Christopher "Quest" Rainey, and his wife, Christine'a "Ma Quest" raise a family while nurturing a community of hip hop artists in their home music studio. But this creative sanctuary can't always shield them from the strife that grips their neighborhood.
Godland (2022)
Directed by Hlynur Pálmason
Icelandic and Danish, 143 min.
A Lutheran priest with a passion for photography travels from Denmark to a remote village in Iceland to oversee the establishment of a local church. Tensions build between the outsider and the locals as the young priest finds himself in positions of moral compromise.
November 29-December 2
Plan 75 (2022)
Directed by Chie Hayakawa
Japanese, 113 min.
Set in a disturbingly dystopian near future, Japanese government program Plan 75 encourages senior citizens to be euthanized to remedy an aged society. An elderly woman whose means of survival are vanishing, a pragmatic Plan 75 salesman, and a Filipino laborer face life and death choices in this profoundly humanist drama .
Only When I Dance (2009)
Directed by Beadie Finzi
Portuguese, 78 min.
In this moving documentary, two teenagers pursue their dreams of becoming ballet dancers amid the challenges of life in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro. Despite prejudice and doubt, the dancers are determined to beat the odds and achieve their dreams.
Broker (2022)
Directed by Hirokazu Koreeda,
Korean, 129 min.
In South Korea, a young mother leaves her baby at one of the “baby boxes” meant to provide a safe and anonymous way to give up an unwanted child. When the mother returns, an unlikely bond forms between the conflicted mother and the criminals who use the box in illegal adoption schemes. This bittersweet film earned the Ecumenical Jury Award at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival.
December 6-9
Little Women (2019)
Directed by Greta Gerwig
English, 135 min.
Before the viral success of Barbie, Greta Gerwig received wide critical acclaim for her heartwarming adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s beloved coming-of-age novel. Featuring an all-star cast, this crowd pleaser is the perfect film for an end-of-semester get together with friends.
Black Orpheus (1959)
Directed by Marcel Camus,
English, Portuguese, 100 Min.
A reimagining of the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice set in the Morro da Babilônia favela in Rio de Janeiro. Winner of the top prize at the 1959 Cannes Film Festival, the film was also a major influence in the worldwide popularization of samba. Praise notwithstanding, the film remains controversial for its exoticizing gaze.
Mostly Martha (2001)
Directed by Sandra Nettelbeck
German, 109 min.
When a headstrong chef takes charge of her equally stubborn 8-year-old niece, the tensions between them mount…until an Italian sous-chef arrives to lighten the mood. See the deliciously romantic original that inspired the Hollywood remake No Reservations.
This Week in KMBL 250
Hidden Letters (2022)
Directed by Violet Du Feng & Qing Zha
Mandarin, 89 min.
For thousands of years, women in China, who were often forced into oppressive marriages and forbidden to read or write, shared a secret language among themselves called Nushu. Offering a unique lens through which to view women’s equality, this fascinating documentary explores the increasing commercialization of the deeply private Nushu language.
Wednesday, Sep. 27 — 5:35PM
Thursday, Sep. 28 — 9:30PM
Friday, Sep. 29 — 7:00PM
Saturday, Sep. 30 — 12:50PM
Saturday, Sep. 30 — 4:50PM
The Lunchbox (2013)
Directed by Ritesh Batra
Hindi, 104 min.
A young woman makes an unexpected connection to an older man after a mistaken delivery in Mumbai's uniquely efficient lunchbox delivery system. Together their relationship and worldview develops through notes they exchange via lunchbox.
Thursday, Sep. 28 — 7:20PM
Friday, Sep. 29 — 2:30PM
Friday, Sep. 29 — 8:50PM
Saturday, Sep. 30 — 2:45PM
Saturday, Sep. 30 — 9:10PM
Volver (2006)
Directed by Pedro Almodóvar
Spanish, 121 min.
Raimunda, a working-class woman, goes to great lengths to protect her 14-year-old daughter. When Raimunda’s mother returns from the dead, things really get complicated in this beloved comedy-drama from one of Spain’s greatest directors.
Wednesday, Sep. 27 — 7:30PM
Thursday, Sep. 28 — 5:00PM
Friday, Sep. 29 — 4:40PM
Saturday, Sep. 30 — 10:30AM
Saturday, Sep. 30 — 6:45PM
Semester Schedule
September 8–9
Return to the Dust (2022)
Directed by Ruijun Li
Mandarin, 131 min.
A humble man and a sickly woman forge a loving bond in their arranged marriage as they work the land and try to build a home for themselves in rural China in this meditative and beautifully filmed drama that was targeted by China’s censors shortly after its release.
Princess Mononoke (1997)
Directed by Hayao Miyazaki
Japanese, 134 min.
On a journey to find the cure for a Tatarigami's curse, Ashitaka finds himself in the middle of a war between the forest gods and Tatara, a mining colony. In this quest he also meets Princess Mononoke, the human companion of the wolf god, Moro.
September 13-16
Cinema Sabaya (2021)
Directed by Orit Fouks Rotem
Hebrew, Arabic, 91 min.
A group of women, Arab and Jewish, become unlikely classmates and friends in a community video workshop. Their young instructor assigns each to share something of their lives through a camera, challenging the group’s worldviews and capacity for acceptance.
Sweet Bean (2015)
Directed by Naomi Kawase
Japanese, 113 min.
Sentaro, a stall manager, struggles with making a decent dorayaki, a pancake-like treat with a sweet bean paste. When Tokue, a septuagenarian, comes to the shop with a solution to his problems, they all get a lesson about tolerance, compassion and good food.
L'Immensità (2022)
Directed by Emanuele Crialese
Italian, 99 min.
In 1970s Rome, a mother of three creates a joyous life for her children despite the challenges of a failing marriage. This sun-drenched, pop music-infused family drama celebrates the power of a mother-child relationship.
September 20-23
Saint Omer (2022)
Directed by Alice Diop
French, 122 min.
A riveting legal drama based on a real-life case of a Senegalese woman accused of killing her own child. Director Alice Diop, known for her documentaries, brings an astute eye and sense of realism to this challenging story.
Ramen Shop (2018)
Directed by Eric Khoo
Japanese, English, Mandarin, Cantonese, 89 min.
After the death of his father, young Japanese ramen chef, Masato, goes to Singapore in search of culinary and ancestral memories. With the help of a food blogger, Masato learns to connect his cross-cultural roots through the creation of a new ramen recipe.
Olga (2021)
Directed by Elie Grappe
Ukrainian, 85 min.
A 15-year-old Ukrainian gymnast pursues her training in Switzerland while distracted by concern for her family’s safety as political unrest at home escalates into a full-scale uprising.
September 27-30
Hidden Letters (2022)
Directed by Violet Du Feng & Qing Zha
Mandarin, 89 min.
For thousands of years, women in China, who were often forced into oppressive marriages and forbidden to read or write, shared a secret language among themselves called Nushu. Offering a unique lens through which to view women’s equality, this fascinating documentary explores the increasing commercialization of the deeply private Nushu language.
The Lunchbox (2013)
Directed by Ritesh Batra
Hindi, 104 min.
A young woman makes an unexpected connection to an older man after a mistaken delivery in Mumbai's uniquely efficient lunchbox delivery system. Together their relationship and worldview develops through notes they exchange via lunchbox.
Volver (2006)
Directed by Pedro Almodóvar
Spanish, 121 min.
Raimunda, a working-class woman, goes to great lengths to protect her 14-year-old daughter. When Raimunda’s mother returns from the dead, things really get complicated in this beloved comedy-drama from one of Spain’s greatest directors.
October 4-7
What Will People Say (2018)
Directed by Iram Haq
Urdu, Norwegian, 106 Min.
Nisha faces severe repercussions from her Pakistani family after attempting to integrate with her teen peers in Norway.
Gather (2020)
Directed by Sanjay Rawa
English, 74 min.
In this enlightening documentary, Indigenous Americans describe “food sovereignty” and how it allows them to reclaim spiritual and cultural identities.
Bille (2018)
Directed by Inara Kolmane
Latvian, 104 min.
Based on the life of one of Latvia’s greatest literary figures, Bille follows an eight-year-old girl and her family as they struggle to make ends meet in the late 1930s. A touching and bittersweet portrait of life in Latvia before the Soviet occupation, told through the eyes of a child.
October 11-14
The Quiet Girl (2022)
Directed by Colm Bairéad
Irish Gaelic, English, 95 min.
Set in 1981 Ireland, a neglected girl is sent away from her family to live with foster parents on a farm for the summer, where she is nurtured and truly loved for the first time. This beautifully arresting quiet film, largely voiced in Gaelic, becomes a meditation on chosen family.
The Kitchen Brigade (2022)
Directed by Louis-Julien Petit
French, 97 min.
A strong-willed sous-chef who dreams of opening her own restaurant gets a job as live-in chef at a shelter for undocumented minors in northern France. A tender look at food, friendship, and the struggle to find a home in the world.
For Sama (2019)
Directed by Waad Al-Kateab and Edward Watts
Arabic, 100 min.
Taking the form of a love letter from a young mother to her daughter, this film tells the story of Waad al-Kateab's life surviving five years of brutal war in Aleppo, Syria. Through incredible, intimate footage, a lived reality of life under siege, particularly for women, comes into sharp focus.
October 18-21
My Happy Family (2017)
Directed by Nana Ekvtimishvili and Simon Groß
Georgian, 120 min.
For reasons slowly disclosed as the film progresses, 52-year-old schoolteacher, Manana, leaves her parents, husband and children to find an apartment of her own.
All Of Me (2014)
Directed by Arturo González Villaseñor
Spanish, 90 min.
This inspiring documentary features the women of La Patrona, Mexico, as they provide aid to migrants hanging from freight trains during passage to the United States. Through riveting acts of selfless dedication, often putting themselves at risk, the women serve their desperate countrymen with food and care.
Autumn Sonata (1978)
Directed by Ingmar Bergman
Swedish, 99 min.
A renowned pianist visits her estranged daughter after years apart. Unresolved grievances and emotional scars resurface during an intense night of confrontation, leading to poignant reflections on their complex relationship and the passage of time.
October 25-28
Almanya: Welcome to Germany (2011)
Directed by Yasemin Samdereli
Turkish and German, 101 min.
With humor and nuance, this tragicomedy explores how three generations of a Turkish-German family navigate the challenges of cross-cultural identities.
4 Little Girls (1997)
Directed by Spike Lee
English, 102 min.
The 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama marks a pivotal moment in the struggle for civil rights. Through archival footage and heartfelt testimonials, Spike Lee commemorates the lives of the four young girls murdered that day.
Mother of Mine (2005)
Directed by Klaus Härö
Finnish, Swedish, 111 Min.
Sent to Sweden for safety during World War II, a young Finnish boy struggles to understand his mother's decision and his own identity. Torn between two families, he learns about love, sacrifice, and the complexities of war's aftermath.
November 1-4
Song without a Name (2019)
Directed by Melina Léon
Quechua, Spanish , 97 min.
This Peruvian drama highlights the horror of human trafficking through the perspective of a mother whose baby is stolen from a fraudulent clinic immediately after the child’s birth.
Mami Wata (2023)
Directed by C.J. ‘Firey’ Obasi
Fon, 107 min.
Winner of the 2023 Special Jury Prize for World Dramatic Cinema at Sundance, this hypnotically beautiful black-and-white folkloric fantasy evokes the power of women amid social turmoil.
The Ten Commandments (1923)
Directed by Cecil B. DeMille
Silent, 136 min.
Celebrate the 100-year anniversary of Cecil B. DeMille’s epic biblical masterpiece. Unlike later adaptations, DeMille’s film is divided into two parts: the story of Moses in Exodus, and a modern drama set in San Francisco about two rival brothers and their understanding of the commandments.
November 8-11
Alcarràs (2022)
Directed by Carla Simón
Catalan, Spanish, 120 min.
Set in the rural Catalonian town of Alcarràs, one extended family is tested when their beloved peach orchards and way of life are threatened. With lyrical, sun-kissed cinematography, non-professional Catalan speaking actors give this film a sense of vibrant authenticity and life.
I Am Not A Witch (2017)
Directed by Rungano Nyoni
Nyanja, Bemba, Tonga, 93 min.
A young Zambian girl accused of witchcraft is imprisoned in a “witch camp” and made to perform forced labor.
The Pencil (2019)
Directed by Natalya Nazarova
Russian, 92 min.
An artist from Saint Petersburg whose husband has been imprisoned as a political dissident moves to a rural town to begin a new life as an art teacher. She soon finds herself in a potentially violent struggle of wills with a young student whose brother is a feared local gang leader.
November 15-18
Faces Places (2017)
Directed by JR and Agnès Varda,
French, 94 Min.
Charming documentary/road movie about 89-year-old filmmaker Agnès Varda and 33-year-old photographer/street artist JR as they travel around French villages and take epic-size photographs of locals to display them on public buildings.
Quest (2017)
Directed by Jonathan Olshefski,
English, 104 min.
Preceded by the short, States of America: MARYLAND by IC co-director Brad Barber, 5 min.
Filmed for nearly a decade, Quest is the moving portrait of a family living in North Philadelphia. Christopher "Quest" Rainey, and his wife, Christine'a "Ma Quest" raise a family while nurturing a community of hip hop artists in their home music studio. But this creative sanctuary can't always shield them from the strife that grips their neighborhood.
Godland (2022)
Directed by Hlynur Pálmason
Icelandic and Danish, 143 min.
A Lutheran priest with a passion for photography travels from Denmark to a remote village in Iceland to oversee the establishment of a local church. Tensions build between the outsider and the locals as the young priest finds himself in positions of moral compromise.
November 29-December 2
Plan 75 (2022)
Directed by Chie Hayakawa
Japanese, 113 min.
Set in a disturbingly dystopian near future, Japanese government program Plan 75 encourages senior citizens to be euthanized to remedy an aged society. An elderly woman whose means of survival are vanishing, a pragmatic Plan 75 salesman, and a Filipino laborer face life and death choices in this profoundly humanist drama .
Only When I Dance (2009)
Directed by Beadie Finzi
Portuguese, 78 min.
In this moving documentary, two teenagers pursue their dreams of becoming ballet dancers amid the challenges of life in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro. Despite prejudice and doubt, the dancers are determined to beat the odds and achieve their dreams.
Broker (2022)
Directed by Hirokazu Koreeda,
Korean, 129 min.
In South Korea, a young mother leaves her baby at one of the “baby boxes” meant to provide a safe and anonymous way to give up an unwanted child. When the mother returns, an unlikely bond forms between the conflicted mother and the criminals who use the box in illegal adoption schemes. This bittersweet film earned the Ecumenical Jury Award at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival.
December 6-9
Little Women (2019)
Directed by Greta Gerwig
English, 135 min.
Before the viral success of Barbie, Greta Gerwig received wide critical acclaim for her heartwarming adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s beloved coming-of-age novel. Featuring an all-star cast, this crowd pleaser is the perfect film for an end-of-semester get together with friends.
Black Orpheus (1959)
Directed by Marcel Camus,
English, Portuguese, 100 Min.
A reimagining of the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice set in the Morro da Babilônia favela in Rio de Janeiro. Winner of the top prize at the 1959 Cannes Film Festival, the film was also a major influence in the worldwide popularization of samba. Praise notwithstanding, the film remains controversial for its exoticizing gaze.
Mostly Martha (2001)
Directed by Sandra Nettelbeck
German, 109 min.
When a headstrong chef takes charge of her equally stubborn 8-year-old niece, the tensions between them mount…until an Italian sous-chef arrives to lighten the mood. See the deliciously romantic original that inspired the Hollywood remake No Reservations.
