The Fall Independent Film Series continues through December 14.
Note: The final two films are showing simultaneously December 8-14.
For showtimes, call the Bijou Theatre at 265-5220 or visit www.carmike.com. Sign up for weekly film emails by subscribing to our film newsletter!
In this series...
Water
September 15-21
Director: Deepa Mehta, INDIA
117mins, Hindi with English subtitles
Set in 1938 Colonial India, against Mahatma Gandhi's rise to power and when the practice of child marriage was still prevalent, the story begins when eight-year-old Chuyia is widowed and sent to a home where Hindu widows must live in penitence. Chuyia’s feisty presence affects the lives of the other residents, including a young widow, who falls for a Gandhian idealist. Initially, the film was to be shot in India, but death threats and riots by Hindu fundamentalists forced the film to stop production. The film was remounted and completed shooting in Sri Lanka in June 2004.
Winner of several Genie Awards, including Best Achievement in Cinematography, Best Achievement in Music – Original Score, and Best Performance by a Lead Actress.
Gabrielle
September 22-28
Director: Patrice Chéreau, FRANCE
90 minutes, French with English subtitles
Based on a Joseph Conrad short story, the setting is Paris and the year is 1912. Gabrielle (Isabelle Huppert) and Jean Hervey (Pascal Greggory) are a wealthy couple who have been married for a decade. Jean is a confident, attractive man, and he believes himself to have everything. It is only after finding a letter from his wife revealing a secret affair that his vulnerabilities are revealed. The film revolves around their struggles to return to their normal way of life and Jean’s struggle to keep the wife he wasn’t sure he wanted until she was almost gone.
Winner of the Cesar Award for Best Costume Design and Best Production Design.
Who Killed the Electric Car?
September 29-October 5
Documentary (Rated PG)
Director: Chris Paine, USA
92 minutes, in English
Gas prices have reached an all-time high, there are shortages in the natural supply of fossil fuels, and many of the oil-producing regions around the globe are at unrest. This movie aims to educate its audience about the addiction we have to oil, showing the dilemma we will face if supplies ever dwindle. It also follows the lifespan of the electric car, from its short time on the roads of California to its destruction by General Motors in the Arizona desert. Narrated by Martin Sheen, the film touches on issues which affect everyone from progressive liberals to the neo-conservative right.
The Road to Guantanamo
October 6-12
Drama/Documentary (Rated R)
Directors: Mat Whitecross and Michael Winterbottom, UK
95 minutes, in English
Part drama, part documentary, this film traces the true story of Shafiq Rasul, Asif Iqbal and Ruhal Ahmed, three Muslim friends who were traveling to a wedding in Pakistan just as the U.S. invaded Afghanistan. The three were picked up as aliens by the Northern Alliance and sent to the infamous Guantanamo Bay prison in Cuba for three years. After suffering brutal and humiliating treatment and extensive interrogation, it was established that the three had no connection with al-Qaida, and eventually they were returned home to England without being formally charged.
The Science of Sleep
October 13-19
Director: Michael Gondry, France
Comedy/Drama/Fantasy/Romance (Rated R)
105 minutes, in English
Stephane (Gael García Bernal) returns to his hometown with the promise of a dream job. Although outwardly shy and silent, his fanciful and creative dream life tries to take over the world he inhabits while he is awake, but he can never fully allow himself to give in to his creative urges. Although the job turns out not to meet his expectations, he does end up starting a relationship with his neighbor. As their relationship continues to grow, the confidence he has in his dreams begins to transcend into his real life, but, just as quickly, his insecurities begin to raise doubts in his mind.
Mongolian Ping Pong
October 20-26
Comedy/Drama
Director: Ning Hao,CHINA
102 minutes Mongolian with English subtitles
Growing up with no electricity or running water, Bilike has no idea what it is he has found after he discovers a tiny white ball floating in a creek. He and his friends, Erguotou and Dawa, diligently try to solve the mystery of the ping-pong ball, even testing a theory to see if the ball was sent from heaven. But after Dawa’s father wins a television set, the boys determine that their mystery object must be the national ball of China. With no idea how far from the city they actually are, the boys set off on an adventure to return the ball to Beijing, with the discovery of just a plaything leading to big questions about the world around them.
Three Times
October 27-November 2
Drama/Romance
Director: Hou Hsiao-hsien, TAIWAN
130 minutes; Mandarin and Taiwanese with English subtitles
Three love stories are shown in three different time periods portrayed by the same actors. The first segment, A Time to Love, is set in 1966 and features a young soldier who falls in love with a girl in a billiard hall. A Time for Freedom takes place in 1911 and portrays the relationship between a courtesan and her frequent employee. The third segment, A Time for Youth, is set in modern day Taipei. It depicts the sordid affairs of a rock singer and a photographer as their lack of communication causes them to lead unfulfilled lives.
Half Nelson
November 3-9
Drama (Rated R)
Director: Ryan Fleck, USA
106 mnutes, in English
Dan Dunne (Ryan Gosling) is a young inner-city junior high teacher who gives his students inspiration and hope for the future. Yet while brilliant and dynamic in the classroom, Dan spends his time outside school on the edge of consciousness, juggling homework with a serious drug habit. He manages to keep his double lives separated, until one of his troubled students, Drey (Shareeka Epps), catches him getting high after school. From this awkward beginning, the two stumble into an unexpected friendship because - despite the differences in their ages and situations - they are both at important life-changing crossroads.
Infamous
November 10-16
Biography/Drama
Director: Douglas McGrath, USA
110 minutes, in English
Infamous follows the dangerous quest for artistic greatness chosen by Truman Capote (Toby Jones), accompanied by lifelong friend and Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Nelle Harper Lee (Sandra Bullock), as he travels to Kansas to investigate the brutal murder of the Clutter family. His studies are complicated when he grows close to the two men. The film amusingly portrays how the small town natives view the homosexual cosmopolitan Capote and his good friend Harper Lee (Sandra Bullock) as they journey into the minds of the two killers. Gwyneth Paltrow and Sigourney Weaver also appear in the film.
The House of Sand
November 17-23
Drama
Director: Andrucha Waddington, USA
103 minutes,Spanish with English Subtitles
Academy Award nominee Fernanda Montenegro (Central Station) and Palme d'Or winner Fernanda Torres shine in this unique film about the lives of three generations of women. Aurea is brought to the northern Brazilian town of Maranhão by her husband, who suffers from delusions that the barren land may be profitably farmed. Soon after they arrive, a calamitous turn of events leaves a pregnant Aurea and her mother alone in the desert in a house full of sand. Aurea wrestles with her unhappy fate but slowly grows accustomed to the new rhythm of life in the dunes.
Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles
December 8-14
Drama (Rated PG)
Director: Yimou Zhang, HONG KONG
107 minutes, Mandarin with English subtitles
From the director of Hero comes this story of Takada, a Japanese fisherman who has been estranged from his son for many years. When the son is diagnosed with terminal cancer his daughter-in-law, Rie, summons him to the hospital. His son refuses to see him, but Rie gives him a video of the documentary he was doing in a remote region of China's Yunnan province. Takada decides to complete his son's work in part to develop an understanding of his son, and in part to do something for him. A series of obstacles and relationships bring him unexpectedly closer to both an understanding of himself and of his son.
Quinceanera
December 8-14
Drama (Rated R)
Directors: Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland, USA
90 minutes, Spanish with English Subtitles
Magdalena (Emily Rios) is approaching her 15th birthday and is excited about plans for her quinceanera, the traditional Mexican “coming out” party. Suddenly she finds herself pregnant. She is kicked out by her father and forced to move in with her uncle Tomas (Chalo González) and her gay cousin Carlos (Jesse Garcia). This unlikely trio becomes a true family, helping each other through challenging times in this remarkable coming of age story.
Winner of the Audience Award and Grand Jury Prize at Sundace.
