Film & Media Culture

(Chen Kaige, China, 1993, 171 minutes) Douzi is a delicate young boy who is dropped by his mother, a prostitute, into the hands of Master Guan, the head of the Peking Opera in 1925. “It is one of those very rare film spectacles that deliver just about everything the ads are likely to promise: action, history, exotic color, multitudes in confrontation, broad overviews of social and political landscapes”––Vincent Canby,The New York Times. In Mandarin with English subtitles.

(Jafar Panahi, Iran, 2013, 106 minutes) In a secluded house by the sea with the curtains shut, a screenwriter hides from the world with only his dog as company. The tranquility is abruptly broken one night by the arrival of a young woman fleeing from the authorities. Refusing to leave, she takes refuge in the house. But come dawn, another unexpected presence will change everything. “The journey is often challenging, but the rewards—heady, emotional, provocative and invigorating—are endless.”––Keith Uhlich, Time Out New York. In Persian with English subtitles.

(Laura Poitras, USA, 2014, 114 minutes) This Oscar-nominated documentary unfolds the life of Edward Snowden as he hands over classified documents providing evidence of mass indiscriminate and illegal invasions of privacy by the NSA. “Citizenfour is a gripping record of how our rulers are addicted to gaining more and more power and control over us, if we let them”––Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian.

Six men on a fishing trip aboard a luxury yacht in the Aegean Sea decide to play a game: “The Best at Everything.” When the game is over, only one man receives the victory ring: the Chevalier. “A brilliantly contained and sublimely ridiculous send-up of competitive male egos from a refreshing female perspective”––Ben Nicholson, CineVue. In Greek with English subtitles. Sponsored by the Hirschfield International Film Series. (Athina Rachel Tsangari, Greece, 2016, 105 minutes) Free

Therese Belivet (Rooney Mara) spots the beautiful, elegant Carol (Cate Blanchett) perusing the doll displays in a 1950s Manhattan department store. The two women develop a fast bond that becomes a love with complicated consequences. Nominated for 6 Academy Awards. “one of the year’s very best films”––Peter Travers, Rolling Stone. Sponsored by the Hirschfield International Film Series. (Todd Haynes, USA, 2016, 118 minutes) Free

(Richard Linklater, USA, 2014, 165 minutes) Filmed over 12 years with the same cast, Boyhood is a groundbreaking story of growing up as seen through the eyes of Mason, a child who literally grows up on screen before our eyes. Set to a soundtrack spanning the years from Coldplay’s “Yellow” to Arcade Fire’s “Deep Blue.” “Boyhood isn’t just a masterpiece. It’s a miracle”––Ann Hornaday, Washington Post.

(Gina Price-Bythewood, USA, 2014, 116 minutes) The pressures of fame have music superstar Noni on the edge, until she meets Kaz Nicol, an aspiring politician who has been assigned to her detail. Drawn to each other, Noni and Kaz fall fast and hard, despite the protests of those who urge them to put their career ambitions ahead of their romance. “It may be a fantasy, but it is an uncommonly smart and honest one.”––A. O. Scott, The New York Times.

(Cullman/Grausman/Becker, USA, 2014, 89 minutes) This documentary exposes the life of Mark Landis, who has been called one of the most prolific art forgers in US history. His impressive body of work spans thirty years, covering a wide range of painting styles and periods that includes Picasso and even Walt Disney. “It adds fuel to the argument that the art market is a rigged game manipulated by curators and gallerists spouting mumbo-jumbo”––Stephen Holden, The New York Times

In this animated feature, an inspirational speaker becomes reinvigorated after meeting a lively woman (Jennifer Jason Leigh) who shakes up his mundane existence. “Anomalisa’s existence is a minor miracle on multiple levels, from the Kickstarter campaign that funded it to the way the film creeps up on you, transitioning into something warm, human and surprisingly tender”––Peter Debruge, Variety. Sponsored by the Hirschfield International Film Series. (Charles Kaufman, USA, 2016, 90 minutes) Free

One week before Kate Mercer’s (Charlotte Rampling) 45th wedding anniversary, a letter arrives for her husband (Tom Courtenay) with shattering news that promises to forever change the course of their lives. “a quietly explosive film, a potent drama with a nuanced feel for subtlety and emotional complications”––Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times. Sponsored by the Hirschfield International Film Series. (Andrew Haigh, UK, 2015, 95 minutes) Free