International Film Series, 2006-2007

The 2006-2007 International Film Series theme was "SATIRE, COMEDY, IRONY" and brought a diverse, eight-film program that included the following internationally acclaimed comedies and dramas.

Download the 2006-2007 series brochure (PDF file)

Sept. 12: GOOD-BYE-LENIN, Wolfgang Becker, 2003 (Germany)

It is 1989, the Wall has come down in Berlin. A frantic son uses a ruse to keep his comatose mother alive by pretending that the East German regime actually hasn’t collapsed. The ensuing absurd histrionics are delicious to watch as the triumph of the West, capitalism, consumerism and all, is pitted against the nostalgic farewell to the Communist East, including Lenin. Watch a much celebrated award-winning film with 121 minutes of whimsical fun (English subtitles.)

Oct. 10: Moolaadé, Ousmane Sembene, 2004 (Senegal/France), 124 min.

In a small African village, a woman faces the wrath and revenge of traditionalists when she agrees to protect four young girls running away from home to avoid circumcision.

Nov. 14: HERA PHERI, Priyadarhsan, 2000 (India), 138 minutes

This film, made in "Bollywood", is a comedy about three friends who find themselves unable to pay their debts until they come across an unexpected solution. But more trouble lies ahead...

 

Dec. 12: * NICO AND DANI (Krámpak), Director: Cesc Gay, 2000 (Spain), 91 minutes

A coming-of-age story about two 17-year-old boys at the beach one summer.

 

Feb. 13: THE EXTRAS (Al-Kompars), Nabil Maleh, 1993 (Syria)

Humorous contemporary romance about an insecure/moody bachelor and a gentle widow. Salem (Bassam Koussa) is a garage mechanic who finds escape as an extra in a theater group. Having no apartment, he borrows a friend's place for an innocent afternoon tryst with widowed Nada (Samar Samy), a worker in a garment factory. Her sympathetic nature draws out Salem's hidden extrovert tendencies.

March 13: THE BIG CARNIVAL (Ace in the Hole), Billy Wilder, 1951 (USA)

Charles Tatum, a reporter, takes a job with a small New Mexico newspaper. The job is pretty boring until he finds a man trapped in a mine. He jumps at the chance to make a name for himself by taking over and prolonging the rescue effort, and feeding stories to major newspapers. He creates a national media sensation and milks it for all it is worth.

April 10: THE CUCKOO (Kukuschka), Aleksandr Rogozhkin, 2002 (Russia), 99 minutes

September of 1944, a few days before Finland went out of the Second World War. A chained to a rock Finnish sniper-kamikadze Veikko managed to set himself free. Ivan, a captain of the Soviet Army, arrested by the Front Secret Police 'Smersh', has a narrow escape. They are soldiers of the two enemy armies. A Lapp woman Anni gives a shelter to both of them at her farm. For Anni they are not enemies, but just men.

May 8: Italian for Beginners (Italiensk for begyndere), Lone Scherfig, 2000 (Denmark/Sweden), 118 minutes

Six young people, each miserable in his or her own way, meet in an Italian language class, where they find friendship, solace, and romance in this black comedy from the “Dogme” group.

 

* Denotes a change from the originally advertised schedule of films.

About the Series

Each academic year, the Hoff Theater, the School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, the College of Arts and Humanities, and the Office of International Programs organize an International Film Series.
Films are shown during the fall and spring semesters on the SECOND TUESDAY of every month in the Hoff Theater in the Stamp Student Union. Each film begins at 7 pm with a brief introduction by a University of Maryland faculty member. All films are FREE and are subtitled in English.

View a list of all films that were shown in the 2005-6 "The Outsider" Film Series. Download a PDF brochure of the 2005-6 Film Series.