Foreign Film Series in Latrobe

GREATER LATROBE

The Greater Latrobe World Language Department is hosting a series of foreign films this school year. All films will be shown in the Senior High’s Center for Student Creativity starting at 6:00 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public.

January 11: El Mar Adentro (The Sea Inside) PG-13
“The Sea Inside”, winner of the 2005 Academy Award for Best Foreign Film, is a biography of the life of Spaniard Ramón Sampedro, a paraplegic who fought for the right to choose death over life. Set in the region of Galicia, the story revolves around the relationship Sampedro has with family, the clergy, and especially two women: one a euthanasia advocate who helps Sampedro campaign and petition for his own death, and the other, a neighbor who challenges his choice yet ultimately is blamed for his death. The film raises many questions, not the least of which is the curiously ironic effects Sampedro’s decision and attitude has on those around him.

January 25: German – Das Wunder von Bern (The Miracle of Bern) PG
“The Miracle of Bern” portrays both the reunion of a family separated by World War II when the POW father returns from Russia after thirteen years, and the struggle of the West German soccer team to overcome obstacles. Set in 1954 against the background of the World Cup, the comedy/drama illustrates Richard Lubinski’s struggle to integrate back into his son Matthias’ life and the way in which soccer plays a healing role for them, as well as for the nation.

February 8: French – Trois Hommes et un Couffin (Three Men and a Cradle) PG-13
The original “Three Men and a Baby”, this 1985 French comedy was nominated for an Oscar in the US, and won France’s equivalent, the Cesar, in three categories: Best Film, Screenplay, and Supporting Actor. As the now familiar plot goes, three men’s lives are turned upside-down when a baby girl is left on their doorstep. See the original and decide which version is your favorite.

February 22: Farsi (Iran) – Bacheha-Ya Aseman (Children of Heaven) PG
In 1998, this film from Iran directed by Majid Majidi, received an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Film. Classified as a comedy/drama, it is the tale of two children trying to disguise the loss of a pair of swiped shoes. Ali and his sister Zhara, fearing punishment for the missing shoes, work out a system whereby one wears the shoes to school in the morning and the other to school in the afternoon. Needless to say, the plan begins to backfire when the swap makes Ali arrive late to school and he faces being expelled. Ali decides to enter a race to win first prize – a new pair of shoes! This film is a fine example of a trend in Iranian filmmaking of using children as the central characters in order to avoid censorship.

March 8: Japanese – Dare mo shiranai (Nobody Knows) PG-13
Based on a true story, this Japanese drama centers around the lives of 4 siblings whose mother gradually abandons them, leaving them to the care of the eldest child, 12-year old Akira. Although Akira tries valiantly to care for and educate Kyoko, Shigeri, and Yuki (who have never been to school), times get tough as their money begins to run out and tragedy is just around the corner. Yuya Yagira (Akira) was named the 2004 Cannes Festival Best Actor for this film which was also nominated for the Palm d’Or and was Japan’s entry for the Academy Awards.

March 22: Italian – La Vita e Bella (Life is Beautiful) PG-13
Roberto Begnini begins his film with the comical courtship and eventual romance of Guido and Dora in 1940’s Fascist Italy. Partway through, however, the comedy turns to drama as Jewish-Italian families like Guido’s fall victim to the ugliness of World War II. Sadly, our protagonists and their son are sent off to a concentration camp. Guido, in an attempt to shield his 5 year-old from the horrors, concocts an elaborate tale about how life at the camp is a game in which the winner get his own real armored tank. He uses humor to make life a bit more bearable. This poignant film was the Grand Prix winner at the Cannes Festival in 1998.

To learn more about the Foreign Film Series and other programs of the Center for Student Creativity - please call (724) 539 – 4225 x5206 or email: jgolden@wiu.k12.pa.us