Here is the schedule of films with descriptions from the festival's press release. &
Charlotte Rampling stars in Heading South (Red Envelope Entertainment)
March 26
5:00pm Vers le sud ( Heading South , 2005 ) In the late 1970's, Ellen (Charlotte Rampling) , a college teacher of French literature, takes her annual vacation at an out-of-the-way Haitian resort. She is the queen bee among unattached middle-aged women from Europe and North America who come to Haiti to have sex with poor black boys whom they pay with both expensive gifts and money. Without judging the characters, the film, adapted from three stories by Dany Laferriegrave;re, explores the intersections of cultural imperialism, sexual tourism and women's liberation in a repressive dictatorship. Read my review from the film's original release.
7:00pm Bamako (2006) A trial pitting African civil society against international financial institutions is set in the courtyard of a home in Bamako, Mali. The trial's examination of Africa's debt to the World Bank provides a surreal contrast to the everyday life shared by families whose homes surround the courtyard. Chaka is preoccupied with the imminent break up of his marriage to Mel e, a popular lounge singer. In the midst of the powerful testimonies being made at the trial, the juxtaposition of Chake and Mel e's story, as well as those of their neighbors, give a voice to Africa's silent majority and further fortifies Africa's case against the World Bank.
Blame It On Fidel (Koch Lorber)
March 27
5:00 pm La Nuit du destin ( Night of Destiny , 1998) Mr. Slimani witnesses a murder. He escapes the killers but afraid for his life, Slimani decides to keep his knowledge a secret and not to testify. The police attempt to reach the sole eyewitness, but find the Arab community divided. Detective Leclerc manages to make contacts in the Arab community, including Slimani's son, Alilou. When Slimani suddenly flees to Algeria, Alilou realizes that his father is the eyewitness and decides to stand in for him, risking his life in the hope that justice will be served, but also that he will win the respect of his devout, conservative father.
7:00pm La Faute & agrave; Fidel ( Blame It on Fidel, 2007) Set in 1970-71, a little girl's life and ideals are suddenly thrown into upheaval when her parents abandon their bourgeois attitudes for political activism -- & strange actions that she concludes should all be blamed on Fidel Castro. Seen from the child's point of view, director Julie Gavras paints a touching yet non-sentimental picture of the period when idealists still believed that taking to the streets could bring about political change.
The legendary Jeanne Moreau stars in Time to Leave (Strand Releasing)
March 28 &
5:00pm Le Temps qui reste ( Time to Leave , 2005) Francois Ozon explores the world of Romain, 31, a successful gay photographer, who learns that he has terminal cancer. Romain tries to cope while distancing himself from all the relationships he has - lover, sister, parents. He hides the truth from them and takes refuge at his grandmother's (Jeanne Moreau). A chance encounter at a cafe; may bring some resolution to Romain's life. Read my review from the film's original release.
7:00pm Mon meilleur ami ( My Best Friend , 2007) Patrice Leconte takes on a gentle comedy. A middle-aged antique dealer (Daniel Auteuil) is flabbergasted to learn that his closest acquaintances don't actually like him. In fact, they say he has no friends at all. Challenged to provide an actual friend in only ten days, or lose a valued vase, his search provides a witty and thoughtful look at the meaning of friendship.
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