2012_cfs_calendar

Spring 2012
@
The Robinson Film Center
(617 Texas Street in downtown Shreveport)

*** Centenary students admitted free with student ID; visitors pay regular RFC prices.

*** Films start at 7:30 or 7:45 (check the Robinson Film Center web site for exact times)

For more information: call the RFC at 459-4122; or email Krista McKinney, Student President (kmckinney@my.centenary.edu) or Jefferson Hendricks, Faculty Advisor (jhendric@centenary.edu)

Many thanks to the Student Government Association of Centenary College of Louisiana, which supports the Centenary Film Society and other student media at the college.

Click here for a printable one page CFS spring calendar

Tuesday, Feb. 14: Love Crime (Crime d'amour) (French Film Series)

(France, 2011. Director: Alain Corneau. Cast: Kristen Scott-Thomas, Ludivine Sagnier, Patrick Mille. 106 mins. in French w/ English subtitles.)

In this devilish, propulsive thriller, director Alain Corneau pits the fiery talents of Ludivine Sagnier and Oscar-nominee Kristin Scott Thomas against each other in a deliciously twisted tale of office politics that turn, literally, cut-throat. When Christine, a powerful executive, brings on a naive young ingénue, Isabelle, as her assistant, she delights in toying with her naivete and teaching her hard lessons in a ruthless professional philosophy. But when the protégé’s ideas become tempting enough for Christine to pass one as her own, she underestimates Isabelle’s ambition and cunning-- and the ground is set for all-out war.

"The movie is called Love Crime. But its hidden message has more to do with business than with passion. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. Especially one in a power suit, who knows how to work a room." Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post
Co-sponsored by the Consulate General of France in New Orleans and the Department of French at Centenary College of Louisiana

Tuesday, Feb. 28: The Interrupters (African-American Film Series) ·

(USA, 2011. Director: Steve James. 125 min.)

From the filmmakers of the award-winning documentary Hoop Dreams, The Interrupters tells the moving and surprising story of three dedicated individuals who try to protect their Chicago communities from the violence they themselves once employed. These “violence interrupters” (their job title) --who have credibility on the street because of their own personal histories-- intervene in conflicts before the incidents explode into violence. Their work and their insights are informed by their own journeys, which, as each of them point out, defy easy characterization. Shot over the course of a year, The Interrupters captures a period in Chicago when it became a national symbol for the violence in our cities. "Best Documentary" Award at Philadelphia, Miami, and Minneapolis film festivals.

"One of the most engaging films you'll see this year, full of vibrant, complex real-life characters whose troubles and joys will stay with you long after the movie's done." Dana Stevens, Slate Magazine

Co-sponsored by the Diversity Committee of Centenary College of Louisiana

Tuesday, Mar. 6: Melancholia (Faith on Film Series: The Apocalyptic Imagination)

(Denmark/Sweden, 2011. Dir. Lars von Trier. Cast: Kirsten Dunst, Alexander Skarsgård, Charlotte Gainsbourg, and Kiefer Sutherland. 136 mins. in English.)

In this beautiful movie about the end of the world, Justine (Dunst) and Michael (Skarsgård) are celebrating their marriage at a sumptuous party in the palatial home of her sister Claire (Gainsbourg), and brother-in-law John (Sutherland). Despite Claire’s best efforts, the wedding is a fiasco, with family tensions mounting and relationships fraying. Meanwhile, a planet called Melancholia is heading directly towards Earth… Melancholia is a psychological disaster film from one of the world's most daring and controversial directors. Winner of "Best Film" for 2011 from the National Society of Film Critics.

"A movie masterpiece...is Lars von Trier's ecstatic magnum opus on the themes of depression, cataclysm, and the way the world might end." Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly

Co-sponsored by the Christian Leadership Center of Centenary College of Louisiana

Tuesday, Mar. 13: The Women on the 6th Floor (Les femmes du 6ème étage) (French Film Series)

(France, 2011. Dir. Phillipe Le Guay. Cast: Fabrice Luchini, Sandrine Kiberlain, and Natalia Verbeke. 104 mins. in French w/English subtitles.

Paris, 1960. Jean-Louis lives a staid, bourgeois existence absorbed in his work, cohabitating peacefully with his neurotic socialite wife Suzanne while their children are away at boarding school. The couple’s world is turned upside-down when they hire a Spanish maid named Maria. Through Maria, Jean-Louis is introduced to an alternative reality just a few floors up on the building’s sixth floor, the servants’ quarters. He befriends a group of sassy Spanish maids, refugees of the Franco regime, who teach him there’s more to life than stocks and bonds. The women’s influence on the house brings change… muy rápido!

"The French...have been making funny and agreeable movie farces for forever, and seeing The Women on the 6th Floor makes you hope they’ll never stop. While American mass-audience comedies stride fearlessly toward the scatological, the French continue to go the old-fashioned route. They rely on clever writing, brisk direction and, most of all, a long tradition of comic performance that values impeccable timing and flawless acting from top to bottom." Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

Co-sponsored by the Consulate General of France in New Orleans and the Department of French at Centenary College of Louisiana

Tuesday, Mar. 20: The Black Power Mixtape: 1967-1975 (African-American Film Series)

(Sweden, 2011. Dir. Göran Olsson. 100 mins. in English)

The Black Power Mixtape: 1967-1975 mobilizes a treasure trove of 16mm material shot by Swedish journalists who came to the US drawn by stories of urban unrest and revolution. Gaining access to many of the leaders of the Black Power Movement--Stokely Carmichael, Bobby Seale, Angela Davis and Eldridge Cleaver among them--the filmmakers captured them in intimate moments and remarkably unguarded interviews. Thirty years later, this lush collection was found languishing in the basement of Swedish Television. Director Göran Olsson and co-producer Danny Glover bring this footage to light in a mosaic of images, music and narration chronicling the evolution one of our nation’s most indelible turning points, the Black Power movement. Music by Questlove and Om’Mas Keith, and commentary from prominent African- American artists and activists who were influenced by the struggle-- including Erykah Badu, Harry Belafonte, Talib Kweli, and Melvin Van Peebles--give the historical footage a fresh, contemporary resonance and makes the film an exhilarating, unprecedented account of an American revolution.

"This is a film that should be seen by anyone who wants to learn where we've come from as a nation." James Greenberg, The Hollywood Reporter

Co-sponsored by the Diversity Committee of Centenary College of Louisiana

Tuesday, Mar. 27: Children of Men (Faith on Film Series: The Apocalyptic Imagination)

(United Kingdom/USA, 2006. Director: Alfonso Cuarón. Cast: Clive Owen, Julianne Moore, Michael Caine, Danny Huston, Chiwetel Ejiofor. 109 mins. in English.)

Children of Men portrays a world one generation from now that has fallen into anarchy on the heels of an infertility defect in the population. The world's youngest citizen has just died at 18, and humankind is facing the likelihood of its own extinction. Set against the backdrop of London torn apart by violence and nationalistic sects, the film follows disillusioned bureaucrat Theo (Owen) as he becomes an unlikely champion of Earth's survival. Winner of numerous awards from the Venice Film Festival, BAFTA Awards (British Academy of Film and Television Arts), and the National Society of Film Critics, among others.

"Made with palpable energy, intensity and excitement, it compellingly creates a world gone mad that is uncomfortably close to the one we live in. It is a Blade Runner for the 21st century, a worthy successor to that epic of dystopian decay." Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

Co-sponsored by the Christian Leadership Center of Centenary College of Louisiana

French Film Weekend (Saturday, March 31/Sunday, April 1)

Saturday, Mar. 31: Tomboy

(France, 2011. Director: Céline Sciamma. Cast: Zoé Héran, Malonn Lévana, Jeanne Disson. 82 mins. in French w/English subtitles.)

When 10-year-old Laure’s family moves to a new neighborhood, her short haircut and tomboy ways cause her new neighbor kids to mistake her for a boy. Instead of correcting their mistake, Laure decides to live the new identity as Michael in this relationship-based film about childhood gender confusion. Winner of the Audience Award for Best Feature at 2011 San Francisco International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival.

“Tomboy is tender and affectionate.” Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

“Sciamma deserves great praise for what she has accomplished with a simple film addressing a complex subject.” Linda Barnard, Toronto Star

Co-sponsored by the Consulate General of France in New Orleans and the Department of French at Centenary College of Louisiana

French Film Weekend (Saturday, March 31/Sunday, April 1)

Saturday, Mar. 31: Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life (Gainsboourg: Vie héroïque)

(France, 2010. Director: Joann Sfar. Cast: Eric Elmosnino, Lucy Gordon, Laetitia Casta. 122 mins. in French w/English subtitles.)

Gainsbourg is based on the life of 1960s pop star Serge Gainsbourg, as interpreted by comic book artist Joann Sfar, all the way from his childhood in Nazi-occupied Paris, through his career as a singer-songwriter and death in 1991. Leading man Eric Elmosnino won Best Actor at both the César Awards in France and the Tribeca Film Festival.

“Eric Elmosnino is terrific as the louche French icon in Joann Sfar's vivid biopic.” Andrew Male, Empire Online

Co-sponsored by the Consulate General of France in New Orleans and the Department of French at Centenary College of Louisiana

French Film Weekend (Saturday, March 31/Sunday, April 1)

Sunday, Apr. 1: The Hedgehog (Le hérisson)

(France, 2009. Director: Mona Achache. Cast: Josiane Balasko, Garance Le Guillermic, Togo Igawa. 100 mins. in French w/English subtitles.)

The Hedgehog is the story of 11-year-old Paloma who has decided to kill herself on her 12^th birthday. Inspired by the New York Times bestseller, The Elegance of the Hedgehog, by Muriel Barbery, Achache’s film shows the articulate Paloma’s fascination by art and photography as she documents her life and the hypocrisy of the adults around her with her father’s old camcorder. As her appointment with death approaches, Paloma develops unlikely friendships with kindred spirits in her building, who inspire her to question her pessimism. Winner of the Audience Award at both the Palm Springs International Film Festival and Washington DC Filmfest.

“The Hedgehog is a treat: a movie that's smart, grown-up, wry and deeply moving.” Michael O’Sullivan, Washington Post

Co-sponsored by the Consulate General of France in New Orleans and the Department of French at Centenary College of Louisiana

French Film Weekend (Saturday, March 31/Sunday, April 1)

Sunday, Apr. 1: Le Havre

(France, 2011. Director: Aki Kaurismäki. Cast: André Wilms, Blondin Miguel, Jean-Pierre Darroussin. 93 mins. in French w/English subtitles.)

When young African refugee Idrissa arrives by cargo ship on the shores of Le Havre in northwest France, he crosses paths with Marcel Marx, an aging bohemian shoeshiner. Marcel takes pity on the boy immediately and welcomes him into his home. With fervent optimism and community support, Marcel stands up to officials who pursue Idrissa’s deportation. This political fairytale reflects a mixture of the best of contemporary and classic French cinema. Winner of the National Board of Review Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

“Le Havre is a playful parable that conveys profound truths about compassion, humility and sacrifice. It offers proof that miracles do happen - especially in Kaurismaki's lyrically hardscrabble neighborhood.” Ann Hornaday, Washington Post

Co-sponsored by the Consulate General of France in New Orleans and the Department of French at Centenary College of Louisiana

Tuesday, Apr. 3: Black Orpheus (Orfeu Negro) (African-American Film Series)

(Brazil/France/Italy, 1959. Director: Marcel Camus. Cast: Breno Mello, Marpessa Dawn, Marcel Camus. 107 mins. in Portugueses w/English subtitles.)

During Carnival week in Rio, Eurydice, who’s fled her village in fear of a stalker, experiences love at first site with the engaged Orfeo. Later, Eurydice dances a provocative samba with Orfeo. Not only is his fiancée Mira enraged when her rival is unmasked, but she is being stalked by Death: Eurydice is in danger, pursued through noisy crowds and a morgue. Can Orfeo conduct her to safety? Don't look back. Black Orpheus won the Palme d'Or at Cannes and the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.

“It came at a time when American audiences were just beginning to discover the serious pleasures of international film culture through such directors as François Truffaut, Ingmar Bergman, Federico Fellini and Akira Kurosawa. In Black Orpheus they found swirling color, the excitement of samba and the accessible joy of a fabled city, not to mention a charming Orpheus in the young Brazilian Breno Mello, and a dazzling Eurydice in the American-born dancer and actress Marpessa Dawn.” Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal

Co-sponsored by the Diversity Committee of Centenary College of Louisiana

Tuesday, Apr. 10: Waco: The Rules of Engagement (Faith on Film Series: The Apocalyptic Imagination)

(USA, 1997. Director: William Gazecki. Stars: Dan Gifford, Clive Doyle, Jack Harwell. 165 mins.)

This documentary on the 51-day siege of the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas, raises troubling questions about the handling of the siege by the FBI. Gazecki’s film gives a history of the Branch Davidians and their leader David Koresh to lay the groundwork of events leading up to the Waco standoff and FBI attack on the compound. Using footage from the siege and the congressional hearings that followed, experts from technical, psychological, and religious disciplines examine the siege while considering the First Amendment freedoms to practice religion. Nominated for Best Documentary Feature at the 1998 Academy Awards.

“It is likely that this documentary will surprise, disturb, and even anger you with the evidence presented ... deserves praise for opening eyes.” Brian Mckay, eFilmCritic.com

Tuesday, Apr. 17: The Diary of Anne Frank (Holocaust Remembrance Event)

(USA, 1959. Director: George Stevens. Stars: Millie Perkins, Shelly Winters, Joseph Schildkraut, Diane Baker. 170 mins.)

Based on the Pulitzer-Prize winning play drawn from Anne Frank’s diary, this film version was nominated for eight Academy Awards and won three: Best Supporting Actress (Shelly Winters), Best Art Direction, and Best Cinematography. The film will be introduced by special guest David Barnouw, spokesperson and researcher for The Netherlands Institute for War Documentation in Amsterdam.

“The first film to deal with the Holocaust on such an affecting and personal level, this is a powerful and painfully tragic film.” Dan Jardine, All Movie Guide

Co-sponsored by the Shreveport-Bossier Holocaust Remembrance Committee