OPENING FILM

‘BLOOD OF MY BLOOD’, 2011, PORTUGAL, Directed by JOAO CANIJO

SATURDAY, 3 JUNE, 4 PM

This film, which won over critics and audiences at numerous festivals around the world, was Portugal’s Oscar-entry in 2011. It’s an intimate and moving domestic drama that offers a rare, inside portrait of Portuguese society, with some splendid individual performances.

CNN iReport: ‘Blood of my blood’ was the most watched Portuguese film in 2011, surpassing the 22,000 spectators, and was named best film of the year by Portuguese critics.

‘VILLA TOUMA’, 2014, PALESTINE, Directed by SUHA ARAF

SUNDAY, 4 JUNE, 4 PM

This debut memorable film, by a renowned Israel-based Palestine scriptwriter, which went to many festivals, centers around three aristocratic Christian sisters of Ramallah who lead an isolated life. But their life turns upside down, when their young niece comes to live with them, and starts a secret affair with a Muslim activist.

Hollywood Reporter: It’s a welcome change to see a film about Palestine that doesn’t directly deal with the war.

‘TRISHNA’, 2011, UK, Directed by Michael Winterbottom

SATURDAY, 10 JUNE, 4 PM

This film, by one of Britain’s top contemporary film-makers, created a stir at many film festivals. It’s a torrid love-story based on British novelist Thomas Hardy’s classic novel ‘Tess of the Durbervilles’, and  is  colorfully and sensationally set in India, with Slumdog Millionaire heroine Frieda Pinto playing the lead.

www.rogerebert.com : Winterbottom is a director who never repeats himself, and in ‘Trishna’, he  effortlessly embeds his story in modern India.

‘JAN DARA’, 2001, THAILAND, Directed by NONZEE NIMIBUTR

SUNDAY, 11 JUNE, 4 PM ( With Q & A )

This film, based on an erotic Thai novel, was translated for the screen by a renowned Thai film-maker (it was later re-made in 2013, by another noted Thai director), and created huge waves, because of its daring sex scenes. It has a large Thai cast, as also a famous Hongkong actress. There will be a Q & A, after the screening.

www.beyondhollywood.com:     ‘Jan Dara’ is undeniably the best-looking

Thailand film I’ve seen ever!

‘DOWN THE RIVER’, 2014, AZERBAIJAN, Directed by ASIF RUSTAMOV

SATURDAY, 17 JUNE, 4 PM

This is the brilliant debut film of a talented director from a country that’s creating big waves on the festival circuit. It is the unforgettable drama of a tough father who ignores his son, cheats on his wife, until a tragedy tears him apart.

Karlovy Vary Festival:   Debut director Asif Rustamov treats the heavy topic with remarkable subtlety and discretion, emphasizing the characters’ elaborated psychology.

‘WHEN LOVE COMES’, 2010, TAIWAN, Directed by CHANG TSO-CHI

SUNDAY, 18 JUNE, 4 PM

This moving domestic drama is considered the best film by a renowned Taiwanese director, which won acclaim at the top festivals of the world. It has an array of diverse and memorable characters, in the tale of a unique  polygamous family in Taipei.

Hollywood Reporter: Arguably his best film, certainly his most visually splendid and life-affirming, ‘When Love Comes’ reflects the Chinese philosophy of letting water pass under the bridge.

‘ANIMAL TOWN’, 2009, KOREA, Directed by KYU-HWAN JEON

SATURDAY, 24 JUNE, 4 PM

This film, which is part of a trilogy by one of Korea’s top contemporary film-makers, created waves at many film festivals around the world. It centers around a child-molester who comes out of jail and tries to lead a normal life, until he encounters an unexpected person.

www.hancinema.net : The description of a heartless city life, and the shocking ending, deliver a chilling blow!

CLOSING FILM

‘QUEEN’, 2013, INDIA, Directed by VIKAS BAHL

SUNDAY, 25 JUNE, 4 PM

Top Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut won a National Award for this vibrant and vivacious film that was a huge box-office ‘hit’. She plays a shy Indian bride who goes on a solo honeymoon to Paris, when her fiancé does not show up on their wedding day. She meets many unforgettable individuals, experiences various amazing adventures, and comes back to India, a changed woman. That’s when her fiancé re-appears.

Indian Express: ‘Queen’ is a significant Bollywood marker, a film that is intensely local and gloriously global, with a terrific lead performance by Kangana Ranaut, in a story that bubbles over with real feeling and meaning!

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