The 2019 International Film Festival, sponsored by the Department of Modern & Classical Languages at Allegheny College, has announced its schedule of films for this season.
The annual festival is curated by Professor Wilfredo Hernández with the assistance of Department faculty who nominate recent highly-acclaimed films in each of the modern languages taught at the College. The series runs each Wednesday evening from January 30 through February 27, with screenings at 7:00 PM at The Movies @ Meadville, 11155 Highline Drive, Meadville PA 16335.
All films are free and open to the public. Free round-trip shuttles for the Allegheny community depart from Brooks Walk at N. Main St. at 6:00 and 6:35.
Here’s the lineup:
JANUARY 30
The Insult
(Lebanon, 2017)
Ziad Doueiri
R – 113 mins.
When Palestinian Muslim foreman Yasser installs a new drainpipe on Lebanese Christian Tony’s balcony without his permission, Tony’s dislike of Palestinians triggers what appears to be a minor disagreement. But insults are hurled, and the situation soon escalates out of control. What begins with a petty argument leads to a highly publicized trial that captivates a nation, and also gives a range of people an opportunity to settle old scores. Doueiri masterfully takes this private clash of wills as a starting point to explore historic rifts amongst Lebanese communities, and the aftermath of the civil war. Intelligently using humor and pathos, The Insult is ultimately a plea for empathy, forgiveness and peace. –IMDB
FEBRUARY 6
The Island
(China, 2018)
Huang Bo
NR – 134 mins.
In this offbeat dramedy from Huang Bo, news of a meteorite bound to strike the earth doesn’t have much effect on Ma Jin’s everyday life; he still gets up and goes to a job where he spends his time daydreaming of a romance with his colleague Shanshan, and of winning the lottery. But when this cataclysmic event occurs during a team-building trip, he finds himself shipwrecked on an island with an odd group of coworkers… and the winning lottery ticket in his pocket. –Well Go USA Entertainment
FEBRUARY 13
BPM
(France, 2017)
Robin Campillo
NR – 143 mins.
In the early 1990s, with AIDS having already claimed countless lives for nearly ten years, Act up-Paris activists multiply actions to fight general indifference. Nathan, a newcomer to the group, has his world shaken up by Sean, a radical militant, who throws his last bits of strength into the struggle. –IMDB
FEBRUARY 20
Transit
(Germany, 2018)
Christian Petzold
NR – 101 mins.
When a man flees France after the Nazi invasion, he assumes the identity of a dead author whose papers he possesses. Stuck in Marseilles, he meets a young woman desperate to find her missing husband – the very man he’s impersonating. –IMDB
FEBRUARY 27
A Fantastic Woman
(Chile, 2017)
Sebastián Lelio
R – 104 mins.
Somewhere in Santiago at a dimly-lit nightclub, Orlando, the kindly and well-off owner of a textile company, locks eyes with Marina, a hopeful singer and the roughly half-his-age love of his life. But, unfortunately, after Marina’s birthday celebration and a night of passion, Orlando falls gravely ill–and by the following morning–he dies in hospital. In the wake of her companion’s untimely death, Marina will soon realize that, from now on, everything is brought into question: her involvement in Orlando’s death, their unconventional relationship; and above all, her right to mourn her beloved deceased. In the end, what was Marina’s crime; a deed so hideous that would rob a fantastic woman of her respect, her dignity, and ultimately, her identity? –Nick Riganas, IMDB