Free 'Global Flicks' series starts Feb. 3
Through February and into March, the College of DuPage will screen six award-winning international films in its Global Flicks series.
Global Flicks will be presented Wednesdays, Feb. 3 to March 9, in the Playhouse Theatre of the McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Now in its 20th year, Global Flicks is co-sponsored by COD's Academic Affairs office and the McAninch Arts Center.
The films will be shown at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. Admission is free. Films are shown in their original language with English subtitles, and each screening concludes with a moderated discussion of the film and its subject matter.
For information, call the MAC ticket office at (630) 942-4000.
The films are:
• "Ecotopia" (Turkey), Feb. 3. In this musical comedy, a group of city intellectuals move to an isolated area near Efeköy, Turkey, to set up organic farming and environmental tourism. The villagers, complete with their old stone houses and much-abused donkeys, have long parted from the traditional rural way of life. When presented with the chance to make money, chaos ensues between the villagers and transplanted activists. Mutual protest turns into comedy, with thoughtful observations about democratic responsibility and environmental stewardship. (112 min.)
• Life, Above All" (South Africa), Feb. 10. Following the death of her baby sister, 12-year-old Chanda learns of a rumor spreading like wildfire through her small, dust-ridden village near Johannesburg that destroys her family and forces her mother to flee. Sensing the gossip stems from prejudice and superstition, Chanda leaves in search of her mother and the truth. "Life, Above All" is an emotional and universal drama about a young girl who fights the fear and shame that have poisoned her community and the impact of HIV-AIDS in South Africa. The film captures the enduring strength of loyalty and courage powered by the heart, based on the international award-winning novel "Chanda's Secrets" by Allan Stratton. (100 min.)
• "A Coffee in Berlin (Oh Boy)" (Germany), Feb. 17. Niko is a twenty-something college dropout living off his parents' money and going nowhere fast. The film presents a day in Niko's life drifting through the streets in Berlin, as he careens from one absurd interaction to another, clearly floundering but still not seeing that it is up to him to create the life he wants. In black-and-white, the film is enriched with a soft and jazzy soundtrack. This is a love letter to Berlin and the Generation Y experience. (86 min.)
• "The Lunchbox" (India), Feb. 24. A neglected housewife in Mumbai trying to add spice to her marriage prepares a special lunchbox to be delivered to her husband at work, but it is mistakenly delivered to a lonely widowed office worker nearing retirement. The two strangers begin a series of lunchbox notes with confessions about loneliness, memories, regrets, fears and even small joys. The resulting unexpected friendship leads to a virtual relationship that could jeopardize both their realities. (104 min.)
• "Red Army" (U.S./Russia), March 2. An inspiring story about the Cold War played out on the ice rink, this feature documentary tells of the Soviet Union and the most successful dynasty in sports history - the Red Army hockey team. Told from the perspective of its captain, Slava Fetisov, the story portrays his transformation from national hero to political enemy. The film examines how sport mirrors social and cultural movements and parallels the rise and fall of the Red Army team with the Soviet Union. (86 min.)
• "Violeta went to Heaven" (Chile), March 9. Depicting the unconventional life of Chilean artist Violeta Parra, this is a story of the iconic poet, musician and folk singer. Parra's songs have become hymns for Chileans and Latin Americans. The film traces Parra's life from humble origins to international fame, and her defense of indigenous cultures and devotion to her art. Parra has a remarkable life taking on improbable obstacles such as trekking across the Andes, journeying to Poland to showcase her music, and persuading the Louvre to exhibit her tapestries. (110 min.)
If you go
What: Global Flicks
When: 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Feb. 3 to March 9
Where: Playhouse Theatre in the McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn
Admission: Free
Info: (630) 942-4000