Wednesday, December 20 @ 2:00pm
Wheeler Opera House
(1 hr 37 min)

In Carla Simon’s touching autobiographical film, six-year-old Frida looks on in silence as the last objects from her recently deceased mother’s apartment in Barcelona are placed in boxes. Although her aunt, uncle, and younger cousin Anna welcome her with open arms, it’s only very slowly that Frida begins to get used to her new home in the countryside. Punctuated by moments of youthful exuberance and mature ruminations, this coming of age drama, set amongst summery hues, is an extraordinarily moving snapshot of being a child in an adult world, anchored by flawless performances by its two young stars. Winner of numerous international festival prizes, including Best First Feature at the 2017 Berlinale.

Director: Carla Simon

Film courtesy of Oscilloscope

For your consideration: Best Foreign Language Film (Spain)

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 Wednesday, December 20 @ 8:00pm
Wheeler Opera House
(1 hr 33 min)

THE BEGUILED is an atmospheric thriller from acclaimed writer/director Sofia Coppola. The story unfolds during the Civil War, at a Southern girls’ boarding school. Its sheltered young women take in an injured enemy soldier. As they provide refuge and tend to his wounds, the house is taken over with sexual tension and dangerous rivalries, and taboos are broken in an unexpected turn of events. Starring Colin Farrell, Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst, and Elle Fanning. Winner of the Best Director Prize (Sofia Coppola) at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival.

Director: Sofia Coppola

Film courtesy of Focus Features

For your consideration: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress – Nicole Kidman, Best Adapted Screenplay

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Thursday, December 21 @ 5pm
Wheeler Opera House
(1 hr 47 min)

In April 1992, on Long Island NY, William Jr., the Ford’s eldest child, a black 24-year-old teacher, was killed by Mark Reilly, a white 19-year-old mechanic. Although Ford was unarmed, he became the prime suspect in his own murder. Director Yance Ford chronicles the arc of his family across history, geography and tragedy – from the racial segregation of the Jim Crow South to the promise of New York City; from the presumed safety of middle class suburbs, to the maelstrom of an unexpected, violent death. It is the story of the Ford family: Barbara Dunmore, William Ford and their three children and how their lives were shaped by the enduring shadow of racism in America.

A deeply intimate and meditative film, STRONG ISLAND asks what one can do when the grief of loss is entwined with historical injustice, and how one grapples with the complicity of silence, which can bind a family in an imitation of life, and a nation with a false sense of justice. Winner of numerous international and domestic festival prizes for documentary, including the Special Jury Prize at 2017 Sundance Film Festival.

Director: Yance Ford

Film courtesy of Netflix

For your Consideration: Best Documentary Feature

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Saturday, December 23 @ 2pm
Paepcke Auditorium
(2 hr 16 min)

Directed by Angelina Jolie, FIRST THEY KILLED MY FATHER is the adaptation of Cambodian author and human rights activist Loung Ung’s gripping memoir of surviving the deadly Khmer Rouge regime from 1975 to 1978. The story is told through her eyes, from the age of five, when the Khmer Rouge came to power, to nine years old. The film depicts the indomitable spirit and devotion of Loung and her family as they struggle to stay together during the Khmer Rouge years. FIRST THEY KILLED MY FATHER is a Netflix film written by Angelina Jolie and Loung Ung and produced by Jolie and acclaimed Cambodian director and producer Rithy Panh, director of the Oscar-nominated The Missing Picture. Winner of the Freedom of Expression Award from National Board of Review 2017.

Director: Angelina Jolie

Film courtesy of Netflix

For your consideration: Best Foreign Language Film (Cambodia)

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