World Film Fest at Skokie Public Library
Fall 2008
This fall the Library will present another series of critically acclaimed world films, reflective of the diverse culture of Skokie. A short discussion will follow each movie, unless otherwise noted.
| Monday, September 8 | Caramel |
| Monday, September 15 | The Diving Bell and the Butterfly |
| Monday, October 6 | Pan's Labyrinth |
| Monday, October 13 | The Diving Bell and the Butterfly |
| Monday, November 3 | The Grocer's Son |
Monday, September 8 at 7:00pm in the Petty Auditorium
Caramel (Sukkar Banat) (Lebanon)
Released 2008 – 93 minutes – PG for thematic elements involving sexuality, language, and some smoking
In Arabic with English subtitles
The story revolves around five women, all good friends at different stages in their lives. They help one another through obstacles of change and share in each other’s experiences of love, loss, and aging. The connecting point is a beauty salon in Beirut, where they work or meet.
| Acclaim: | |
 |
San Sebastian Film Festival – winner Audience Award |
|
London Film Festival – Official Selection |
|
Toronto Film Festival – Official Selection |
|
Cannes Film Festival – Directors’ Fortnight selection |
|
Lebanon’s official submission to the 80th Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film |
|
“A rare treat, brimming with warmth, tenderness, and joy” – Daily Mirror |
Monday,
September 15 at 7:00pm in the Petty Auditorium
Monday, October 13 at
7:00pm in the Petty Auditorium (encore performance, no discussion)
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (France)
Released 2007 – 112 minutes – PG-13 for nudity, sexual content, and some language
In French with English subtitles
Adapted from the memoir by Jean-Dominique Bauby, who was the editor of popular French fashion magazine Elle. Bauby suffered a massive heart stroke that resulted in a rare condition called Locked-in Syndrome. Bauby’s mental faculties were undamaged; however, he was almost entirely paralyzed. With his therapist, Bauby worked out a system of communication by blinking his eye when the correct letter of the alphabet was spoken.
| Acclaim: | |
|
AFI Fest – winner Audience Award, Best Feature |
|
Academy Awards – nominated Best Cinematography, Best Directing, Best Editing, Best Adapted Screenplay |
|
BAFTA Awards – winner Best Adapted Screenplay; nominated Best Film Not in the English Language |
|
Boston Society of Film Critics Awards – winner Best Cinematography, Best Director, Best Foreign Language Film |
|
Cannes Film Festival – winner Best Director, Best Technical Grand Prize; nominated Golden Palm |
|
Chicago Film Critics Association Awards – nominated Best Cinematography, Best Foreign Language Film |
|
César Awards – winner Best Actor, Best Editing; nominated Best Cinematography, Best Director, Best Film, Best Sound, Best Writing Adaptation |
|
Directors Guild of America – nominated Outstanding Directorial Achievement |
|
Golden Globes – winner Best Director, Best Foreign Language Film; nominated Best Screenplay |
|
Independent Spirit Awards – winner Best Cinematography, Best Director; nominated Best Feature, Best Screenplay |
|
National Board of Review – winner Best Foreign Language Film |
|
Writers Guild of American – nominated Best Adapted Screenplay |
Monday, October 6 at 6:30pm in the Petty Auditorium
Pan's Labyrinth (El Laberinto del Fauno) (Mexico)
Released 2006 – 119 minutes – R for graphic violence and some language
In Spanish with English subtitles
Set in 1944 Spain at the end of the Civil War, the reality of Ofelia’s existence has become extremely perilous, and a place of overwhelming cruelty. The young girl seeks refuge in a fantasy world, a mysterious labyrinth, where she is given three dangerous tasks. If successful, she will return as the princess of an underground realm. However, Ofelia becomes the center of an intense battle between good and evil. Directed by Guillermo del Toro.
| Acclaim: | |
|
Academy Awards – winner Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Makeup; nominated Best Original Score, Best Foreign Language Film, Best Original Screenplay |
|
BAFTA Awards – winner Best Costume Design, Best Film not in the English Language, Best Make Up; nominated Best Special Visual Effects, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Screenplay Original, Best Sound |
|
Cannes Film Festival – nominated Golden Palm Award |
|
Golden Globes – nominated Best Foreign Language Film |
|
Goya Awards – winner Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Makeup, Best New Actress, Best Screenplay Original, Best Sound, Best Special Effects; nominated Best Director, Best Film, Best Lead Actor, Best Lead Actress, Best Original Score, Best Production Design |
|
Independent Spirit Award – winner Best Cinematography; nominated Best Feature |
|
National Society of Film Critics Awards, USA – winner Best Film |
|
New York Film Critics Circle Awards – winner Best Cinematography |
Monday, November 3 at 7:00pm in the Petty Auditorium
The Grocer's Son (Le Fils de l'épicier) (France)
Released 2008 – 96 minutes – Not rated
In French with English subtitles
Antoine reluctantly leaves the city and returns home, when his father becomes ill. He takes over his father’s rural grocery route, driving to remote areas in an old-fashioned truck. At first Antoine has little patience for the quirky locals and seems to cause more trouble than good. Things start to change when Claire, his secret crush from Paris, accompanies him on his rounds. Antoine begins to see the countryside in a different light and re-evaluate what is important.
| Acclaim: | |
|
Berlin International Film Festival – winner Shooting Star Award for Outstanding Actor |
|
Berkshire International Film Festival – winner Audience Award |
|
César Awards – nominated Most Promising Actor |
|
“…small gem of a film…” – The New York Times |