World Film Fest at Skokie Public Library
Spring 2013
The Library will present another season of critically acclaimed world films, reflective of the diverse culture of Skokie. A short discussion will follow each movie, unless otherwise noted.
| Monday, March 4 | Foreign Letters |
| Monday, April 1 | The Tango Lesson |
| Monday, May 6 | Found Memories |
Foreign Letters (United States)
Released 2012 – 99 minutes – Not rated
In English with some Hebrew and Vietnamese
Set in the early 1980s, Ellie, a 12-years-old immigrant from Israel, is lonely, homesick, and just learning to speak English. Things start to get better when she meets Thuy, a girl in her class, who is a Vietnamese refugee. The two become friends, teaching each other about life in America and slowly building trust. Eventually the girls become inseparable. However, their friendship is tested when they end up betraying and hurting one another. To make things right, Ellie decides to give up her most prized possession. This story is based on the filmmaker’s own experience.
Acclaim:
- Atlanta Jewish Film Festival - official selection
- Austin Jewish Film Festival - official selection
- Berkshire Jewish Film Festival - official selection
- Nashville International Film festival – winner – Honorable Mention
- New Jersey Jewish Film Festival - official selection
- Rochester Jewish Film Festival - official selection
- Toronto International Film Festival – official selection
- UK Jewish Film Festival - official selection
The Tango Lesson (United Kingdom, France, and Argentina)
Released 1997 – 101 minutes – PG for brief language and some violent images
In English, French, and Spanish
In this semi-autobiographical movie, writer-director Sally Potter plays a filmmaker who is suffering from writers block and struggling to complete her latest screenplay. She meets an Argentinian tango dancer and asks him to give her lessons. They form a romantic and artistic connection, but it becomes obvious that each wants something different.
Acclaim:
- American Choreography Awards, USA – winner
- BAFTA Awards – nominated – Best Film not in the English Language
- Mar del Plata Film Festival – winner – Best Film
- National Board Review, USA – winner – Special Recognition for excellence in filmmaking
- Venice Film Festival - screening
Found Memories (Brazil)
Released 2011 – 97 minutes – Not rated
In Portuguese with English subtitles
Time seems to have stopped in the ghost town of Jotuomba. Every day Madalena follows the same routine. She makes bread for the coffee shop, walks across the abandoned train tracks, neatens the flowers in front of the locked cemetery gates, attends an afternoon church sermon, and lunches with other older villagers. Then unexpectedly, a young photographer named Rita arrives in the village and asks Madalena if she can stay with her for a few days. The two women form a deep connection, which has a profound effect on both of them and the rest of the townspeople.
Acclaim:
- Abu Dhabi International Film Festival – winner – Best Film in the New Horizons Section
- Cartagena Film Festival – nominated – Best Film
- Lima Latin American Film Festival – winner – Best Film
- Ljubljana International Film festival - FIPRESCI Prize
- Reykjavik International Film Festival – Church of Iceland Award
- RiverRun International Film Festival – winner – Best Cinematography, Best Narrative Feature, Best Director; honorable mention – Best Actress
- San Sebastian International Film Festival – winner – Horizons Award Special Mention
- Sofia International Film Festival – winner - Grand Prix
- New Directions/New Films (New York) - Official Selection
- Rio International Film Festival - Official Selection
- Venice International Film Festival – Official Selection
