Films & Schedules - Comedy

Two ostensibly ordinary middle-aged couples, Marie and Vitek and Dita and Ondra, are linked by more than just a lifelong friendship, a shared house in a small town, and same-aged adolescent children: they are linked by love. Both men, Ondra and Vitek, who are work colleagues, sincerely love their wives, but they each harbor a secret yearning for the other’s wife. When the two of them are offered a job together—restoring the electrical grid on a sparsely inhabited Caribbean island—they leap at the chance to enjoy a little tropical sunshine while launching the kind of cunning plan people in Czech...

Two ostensibly ordinary middle-aged couples, Marie and Vitek and Dita and Ondra, are linked by more than just a lifelong friendship, a shared house in a small town, and same-aged adolescent children: they are linked by love. Both men, Ondra and Vitek, who are work colleagues, sincerely love their wives, but they each harbor a secret yearning for the other’s wife. When the two of them are offered a job together—restoring the electrical grid on a sparsely inhabited Caribbean island—they leap at the chance to enjoy a little tropical sunshine while launching the kind of cunning plan people in Czech sex comedies tend to launch. What ensues is a sunny romp with a couple of (not too) serious questions in the back of its mind. (80 mins.)

Selected Filmography: Cosy Dens (99), Divided We Fall (00), Up and Down (04), Beauty in Trouble (06), Kawasaki’s Rose (09)

FILM REVIEW

Interests: Narrative Feature, Comedy.

80 Million is set in the autumn of 1981, 10 days before the proclamation of martial law in Poland. Three members of the anti-Communist union movement in Wroclaw miraculously manage to withdraw 80 million zlotys (circa $2 million US then) from the organization’s bank account, just before it is blocked by the authorities. With Security Service agents on their trail, a tense cat-and-mouse game that involves wily clergy, black market money changes, and committed Solidarity activists unfolds with inspirational drama and surprising twists and turns. Less a political film than a heist-thriller and dark comedy, this entertaining film is this...

80 Million is set in the autumn of 1981, 10 days before the proclamation of martial law in Poland. Three members of the anti-Communist union movement in Wroclaw miraculously manage to withdraw 80 million zlotys (circa $2 million US then) from the organization’s bank account, just before it is blocked by the authorities. With Security Service agents on their trail, a tense cat-and-mouse game that involves wily clergy, black market money changes, and committed Solidarity activists unfolds with inspirational drama and surprising twists and turns. Less a political film than a heist-thriller and dark comedy, this entertaining film is this year’s Polish submission for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar. (102 mins.)

Selected Filmography: Suspended (87), Dismissed From Life (92), The Little Moscow (08)

Sponsored by the Polish Library Association and the Polish Festival Nonprofit Organization, Portland.

FILM REVIEW

Interests: Oscar Submissions, Narrative Feature, Comedy.

In his bittersweet caper-comedy, which won the Jury Prize at Cannes, Loach turns his gaze on Robbie, a new father in trouble with the law. When he holds his newborn son for the first time, Robbie is determined that the boy will have a better life, one with opportunities. But Robbie must first sort out his life as a prison sentence looms. Given one more chance and sentenced to community service, he meets Rhino, Albert, and Mo, former criminals who also can’t find work. But, ironically, turning to drink changes their lives. Robbie, it turns out, has a rare gift—a...

In his bittersweet caper-comedy, which won the Jury Prize at Cannes, Loach turns his gaze on Robbie, a new father in trouble with the law. When he holds his newborn son for the first time, Robbie is determined that the boy will have a better life, one with opportunities. But Robbie must first sort out his life as a prison sentence looms. Given one more chance and sentenced to community service, he meets Rhino, Albert, and Mo, former criminals who also can’t find work. But, ironically, turning to drink changes their lives. Robbie, it turns out, has a rare gift—a great palate and a delicate nose for fine malt whisky. This newly discovered talent leads to an inspiration that might turn things around for him—but first, he faces a true test on a trip with the gang to the Scottish Highlands. (101 mins.)

Selected Filmography: Black Jack (79), Riff-Raff (91), Sweet Sixteen (02), The Wind That Shakes the Barley (06), It’s a Free World… (07), Looking for Eric (09)

Sponsored by Southpark Seafood Grill.

FILM REVIEW

Interests: Narrative Feature, Comedy.

In this timeless, enchanting fable, rising Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor gives a winning performance as a deaf-mute man whose life is a series of comic and tragic misadventures. Dedicated to Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton, the nearly wordless Barfi! follows the resourceful title character as he falls in and out of love with the beautiful Shruti, whose parents pressure her into a respectable arranged marriage. Later, he finds love again with the autistic Jhilmil—whose father plots to defraud her of a sizable trust fund—only for Shruti to unexpectedly reenter his life. In between, Barfi finds himself caught up in a...

In this timeless, enchanting fable, rising Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor gives a winning performance as a deaf-mute man whose life is a series of comic and tragic misadventures. Dedicated to Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton, the nearly wordless Barfi! follows the resourceful title character as he falls in and out of love with the beautiful Shruti, whose parents pressure her into a respectable arranged marriage. Later, he finds love again with the autistic Jhilmil—whose father plots to defraud her of a sizable trust fund—only for Shruti to unexpectedly reenter his life. In between, Barfi finds himself caught up in a bank robbery, two botched kidnappings, and all other manner of slapstick mayhem. This broadly entertaining treat for film lovers of all ages is this year’s Indian submission for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar. (151 mins.)

Selected Filmography: Saaya (03), Gangster (06), Life in a Metro (07), Kites (10)

Sponsored by Vindalho.

FILM REVIEW

Interests: Oscar Submissions, Narrative Feature, Family Fare, Asian, Comedy.

This year’s Spanish submission for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar is a 1920s, silent-set reworking of the Brothers Grimm fairytale “Snow White,” offset by punchy Flamenco rhythms and full of imagination. Rejected at birth by her father, Carmencita (Macarena Garciá) is raised by her grandmother. But when her grandmother dies, the poor dark-haired maiden is sent to the lower depths of her evil stepmother’s villa. Maribel Verdú (Y Tu Mamá También) gives an ingeniously smart, campy performance as the villainess, hell-bent on keeping Carmencita from Prince Charming—here a bullfighting dwarf!—and thwarting her dreams of becoming a matador.“ While Michel...

This year’s Spanish submission for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar is a 1920s, silent-set reworking of the Brothers Grimm fairytale “Snow White,” offset by punchy Flamenco rhythms and full of imagination. Rejected at birth by her father, Carmencita (Macarena Garciá) is raised by her grandmother. But when her grandmother dies, the poor dark-haired maiden is sent to the lower depths of her evil stepmother’s villa. Maribel Verdú (Y Tu Mamá También) gives an ingeniously smart, campy performance as the villainess, hell-bent on keeping Carmencita from Prince Charming—here a bullfighting dwarf!—and thwarting her dreams of becoming a matador.“ While Michel Hazanavicius’s Oscar winner, The Artist, was a playful valentine to pre-talkies Hollywood, Spanish writer-director Berger’s inventive Andalusian tale is a love letter to 1920s European silent film, effortlessly mixing humor and melodrama in delightful fashion.”—Hollywood Reporter  (90 mins.)

Selected Filmography: Torremolinos 73 (03)

FILM REVIEW

Interests: Oscar Submissions, Spanish Language, Comedy.

Welcome to the surreal and wild world of Carmina, a crass 58-year-old bar owner in Seville. When the insurance company refuses to pay up following a series of robberies, Carmina (director León’s real-life mother) has to find an alternative way of getting the money back to support her family. While she waits in her kitchen for her plan to develop, the chain-smoking Carmina reflects on her life, deeds, and miracles and feeds the goat that lives with her. A box office phenomenon in Spain, León’s charming and wild film won the Special Jury Prize, Audience Award, and Best Actress Award...

Welcome to the surreal and wild world of Carmina, a crass 58-year-old bar owner in Seville. When the insurance company refuses to pay up following a series of robberies, Carmina (director León’s real-life mother) has to find an alternative way of getting the money back to support her family. While she waits in her kitchen for her plan to develop, the chain-smoking Carmina reflects on her life, deeds, and miracles and feeds the goat that lives with her. A box office phenomenon in Spain, León’s charming and wild film won the Special Jury Prize, Audience Award, and Best Actress Award at the Málaga Film Festival. (70 mins.)

First Feature.

Co-sponsored and organized by PRAGDA with support from the Embassy of Spain, Washington; American Airlines; and the Secretary of State for Culture-Ministry of Education, Culture, and Sport.

FILM REVIEW

Interests: Narrative Feature, Spanish Language, Comedy.

Staunch loner Roberto, owner of a small hardware store in Buenos Aires, is shaken out of his solitary daily routine of collecting absurd newspaper clippings and visiting his parents’ grave when Chinese immigrant Jun literally falls into his life out of the back of a cab. Through a series of events that go against Roberto’s better judgment, the out-of-work Jun moves in with him, which proves a nightmare for Roberto as he makes increasingly desperate (and also touching and hilarious) attempts to get rid of his new roommate. Borensztein’s warm, endearing film offers a heartfelt reminder that friendship can crop...

Staunch loner Roberto, owner of a small hardware store in Buenos Aires, is shaken out of his solitary daily routine of collecting absurd newspaper clippings and visiting his parents’ grave when Chinese immigrant Jun literally falls into his life out of the back of a cab. Through a series of events that go against Roberto’s better judgment, the out-of-work Jun moves in with him, which proves a nightmare for Roberto as he makes increasingly desperate (and also touching and hilarious) attempts to get rid of his new roommate. Borensztein’s warm, endearing film offers a heartfelt reminder that friendship can crop up between the strangest, most mismatched, and plain old grumpiest of odd couples. (98 mins.)

Filmography: Sin Memoria (10)

Winner of the Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Film Awards at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences of Argentina.

In Spanish and Mandarin.

Sponsored by Hotel Modera.

FILM REVIEW

Interests: Narrative Feature, Spanish Language, Comedy.

Shashi (Sridevi) is a beautiful, dedicated Pune homemaker, devoted wife, and mother. Yet because of her poor English, she is made to feel insecure by her husband and teenage daughter and by society at large. When she is called to New York to help prepare her niece’s wedding, Shashi overcomes her fears of traveling alone but is nevertheless overwhelmed. Humiliated for not being able to order a cup of coffee properly, she secretly enrolls in an accelerated English class and quickly becomes a dedicated student. With the other multi-ethnic students acting as a support system and boosted by the admiration...

Shashi (Sridevi) is a beautiful, dedicated Pune homemaker, devoted wife, and mother. Yet because of her poor English, she is made to feel insecure by her husband and teenage daughter and by society at large. When she is called to New York to help prepare her niece’s wedding, Shashi overcomes her fears of traveling alone but is nevertheless overwhelmed. Humiliated for not being able to order a cup of coffee properly, she secretly enrolls in an accelerated English class and quickly becomes a dedicated student. With the other multi-ethnic students acting as a support system and boosted by the admiration of French classmate Laurent in particular, she rediscovers her own worth. “Breezy and charming but with much to say about the delicate balance between tradition and modernity, English Vinglish marks the return to the big screen—after a 15-year hiatus—of beloved Indian mega-star Sridevi.”—Toronto International Film Festival (133 mins.)

First Feature.

Sponsored by Delta Airlines.

FILM REVIEW

Interests: New Directors, Narrative Feature, Family Fare, Asian, Comedy.

Eklund’s surreal, acid-drenched film has been described as being like a Coen Brothers version of “The Office.” A deadpan comedy about phone towers, online dating, the odd tarantula, and a militant group of people allergic to electricity, Flicker is set in the small town of Backberga where a local telecom company is planning to freshen up its profile under a clueless CEO. Meanwhile, the accounts person is trying to find love online, the cleaning lady fancies herself an inventor, and, out in the field, the linesman toys with death. Weaving in and out of these individual stories, Eklund offers a...

Eklund’s surreal, acid-drenched film has been described as being like a Coen Brothers version of “The Office.” A deadpan comedy about phone towers, online dating, the odd tarantula, and a militant group of people allergic to electricity, Flicker is set in the small town of Backberga where a local telecom company is planning to freshen up its profile under a clueless CEO. Meanwhile, the accounts person is trying to find love online, the cleaning lady fancies herself an inventor, and, out in the field, the linesman toys with death. Weaving in and out of these individual stories, Eklund offers a bittersweet satire while building a warm, if often absurd, picture of ordinary people trying to find their place in a rapidly changing world. (100 mins.)

First Feature.

Winner of the Best Swedish Feature Award at the Gothenburg International Film Festival.

FILM REVIEW

Interests: New Directors, Narrative Feature, Comedy.

Writer/director Chkonia brings a woman’s eye to this satiric tragicomedy, set in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi, that tells the story of 10 desperate housewives and their fierce rivalry to win a beauty contest—one open only to mothers with three or more children. Competing in five categories pigeonholing women, including “Best Cook” and “Super Mom,” the grand prize is a coveted apartment and $25,000. But dreams soon vanish as realization dawns that the competition is a scam and all they are getting are media hounds, chauvinist pigs, and their own domestic nightmares. This heartfelt story, filled with equal measures of...

Writer/director Chkonia brings a woman’s eye to this satiric tragicomedy, set in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi, that tells the story of 10 desperate housewives and their fierce rivalry to win a beauty contest—one open only to mothers with three or more children. Competing in five categories pigeonholing women, including “Best Cook” and “Super Mom,” the grand prize is a coveted apartment and $25,000. But dreams soon vanish as realization dawns that the competition is a scam and all they are getting are media hounds, chauvinist pigs, and their own domestic nightmares. This heartfelt story, filled with equal measures of humor and humanism, is this year’s Georgian submission for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar and offers a multi-faceted look at contemporary Georgia. (94 mins.)

First Feature.

Sponsored by OregonLive.com.

FILM REVIEW

Interests: New Directors, Oscar Submissions, Narrative Feature, Comedy.

“Kenji Uchida’s brilliantly entertaining comedy-drama is essentially a riff on Trading Places, but it takes the notion that we all play roles every day much further than John Landis ever dreamed. A failed actor, unlucky in love, steals the identity of an accident victim and finds himself prey to the attentions of the mob—he discovers that he’s now a famously ruthless fixer for the underworld. Meanwhile the actual fixer wakes in the hospital with amnesia and has to learn to live anew as a failed actor. Perhaps fortunately, a needy woman executive (having set herself a two-month deadline to get...

“Kenji Uchida’s brilliantly entertaining comedy-drama is essentially a riff on Trading Places, but it takes the notion that we all play roles every day much further than John Landis ever dreamed. A failed actor, unlucky in love, steals the identity of an accident victim and finds himself prey to the attentions of the mob—he discovers that he’s now a famously ruthless fixer for the underworld. Meanwhile the actual fixer wakes in the hospital with amnesia and has to learn to live anew as a failed actor. Perhaps fortunately, a needy woman executive (having set herself a two-month deadline to get married) is on hand to help him and/or get in his way. Much of this is deliciously funny, not to mention brilliantly timed and acted with relish by the all-star cast.”—London Film Festival (128 mins.)

Filmography: A Stranger of Mine (05), After School (08)

Sponsored by the Consular Office of Japan in Portland.

FILM REVIEW

Interests: Narrative Feature, Asian, Comedy.

During King Gwang-hae’s reign in 17th century Korea, conspiracies abound. Driven by paranoia, Gwang-hae (Lee Byung-hun) orders his councilor to find him a body double. Soon after finding the perfect lookalike in the form of Ha-sun, a simple jester and mimic, the king is poisoned and Ha-sun is forced to take the stage. The ensuing events form the dramatic, and often comedic, heart of Masquerade, a riff on the classic Prince and the Pauper story. Instead of Gwang-hae’s rigid policies and demeanor, the new king has charisma and rules on far more personal and humanitarian grounds, thus risking discovery—not to...

During King Gwang-hae’s reign in 17th century Korea, conspiracies abound. Driven by paranoia, Gwang-hae (Lee Byung-hun) orders his councilor to find him a body double. Soon after finding the perfect lookalike in the form of Ha-sun, a simple jester and mimic, the king is poisoned and Ha-sun is forced to take the stage. The ensuing events form the dramatic, and often comedic, heart of Masquerade, a riff on the classic Prince and the Pauper story. Instead of Gwang-hae’s rigid policies and demeanor, the new king has charisma and rules on far more personal and humanitarian grounds, thus risking discovery—not to mention social and military upheaval. It’s clear that goodness does not automatically serve the country’s stability. Though spiced with humor, Masquerade provides a thoughtful meditation on the compromises faced by those who, willingly or not, take the fate of a nation into their hands. (131 mins.)

Selected Filmography: Mapado: Island of Fortunes (05), Late Blossom (11)

Sponsored by the Oregon Korea Foundation.

FILM REVIEW

Interests: Narrative Feature, Asian, Comedy.

Leyla and Kaveh are a mysterious pair from Tehran, traveling the mountainous countryside in their Lexus coupe to push big bags of money on the locals. This turns out to be not so easy but fascinating to watch as the cagey couple invent increasingly brazen stratagems to place cash in the hands of the wary, proud, or indifferent. Will they push things too far? Are they losing sight of their mission? What exactly is their mission? This bold, perversely fascinating comedy-drama unfurls with unexpected force amid subtle themes of power, privilege, and corruption. “Setting the scene is a brilliantly shot...

Leyla and Kaveh are a mysterious pair from Tehran, traveling the mountainous countryside in their Lexus coupe to push big bags of money on the locals. This turns out to be not so easy but fascinating to watch as the cagey couple invent increasingly brazen stratagems to place cash in the hands of the wary, proud, or indifferent. Will they push things too far? Are they losing sight of their mission? What exactly is their mission? This bold, perversely fascinating comedy-drama unfurls with unexpected force amid subtle themes of power, privilege, and corruption. “Setting the scene is a brilliantly shot comic opener that starts the game over-the-top, in a tone which only gets shriller and wilder as the story goes on. By far the director’s most daring work.”—Hollywood Reporter (100 mins.)

Selected Filmography: Abadan (04), Men at Work (06), Canaan (08)

Modest Reception is co-presented by the Global Film Initiative and is part of the Global Lens 2013 film series.

Sponsored by Javanan Magazine, Portland.

FILM REVIEW

Interests: Narrative Feature, Middle Eastern, Comedy.

A deadbeat Israeli inventor and his estranged teenage daughter try to reconcile their differences in this delicate blend of poignant coming-of-age drama and offbeat comedy. After years living in California with her mother and stepfather, sharp-witted but introverted 13-year-old Libi returns to Israel to spend time with her unemployed and homeless father Shaul. With the outbreak of the Second Lebanon War, Shaul devises a scheme to put a roof over their heads by posing as war refugees until they are taken in by a well-off family in Jerusalem. As the masquerade wears thin, the bemusing circumstances give way to a...

A deadbeat Israeli inventor and his estranged teenage daughter try to reconcile their differences in this delicate blend of poignant coming-of-age drama and offbeat comedy. After years living in California with her mother and stepfather, sharp-witted but introverted 13-year-old Libi returns to Israel to spend time with her unemployed and homeless father Shaul. With the outbreak of the Second Lebanon War, Shaul devises a scheme to put a roof over their heads by posing as war refugees until they are taken in by a well-off family in Jerusalem. As the masquerade wears thin, the bemusing circumstances give way to a bourgeoning father-daughter bond forged by a shared talent for telling “off-white lies.” (86 mins.)

First Feature.

Winner of the Best Actor Award and nominated for six other Israeli Ophirs including Best Film, Director, and Screenplay.

Sponsored by the Consulate of Israel and San Francisco.

FILM REVIEW

Interests: Narrative Feature, Middle Eastern, Comedy.

Garrone takes a critical swipe at contemporary Italian society and the powerful role of television and the media in instilling obsessive envy and lust for fame. After seeing a former reality star make an electrifying surprise appearance at his cousin’s wedding (one of several paid appearances for the enterprising self-promoter), common man Luciano decides to try out for the Italian version of “Big Brother.” Sure he will soon get the call, Luciano begins to conduct his life as if he’s already being watched. Playing Luciano’s delusions not only for laughs but for thoughtful, ethical examination, Garrone blends a Fellini-esque love...

Garrone takes a critical swipe at contemporary Italian society and the powerful role of television and the media in instilling obsessive envy and lust for fame. After seeing a former reality star make an electrifying surprise appearance at his cousin’s wedding (one of several paid appearances for the enterprising self-promoter), common man Luciano decides to try out for the Italian version of “Big Brother.” Sure he will soon get the call, Luciano begins to conduct his life as if he’s already being watched. Playing Luciano’s delusions not only for laughs but for thoughtful, ethical examination, Garrone blends a Fellini-esque love for grotesquerie and fairy-tale surrealism with gritty Neapolitan social realism. (116 mins.)

Selected Filmography: Land in the Middle (96), Roman Summer (00), The Embalmer (02), First Love (04), Gomorrah (08)

Winner of the Grand Prize at the Cannes Film Festival.

Sponsored by the Italian Cultural Institute, San Francisco and the Italian Film Commission, Los Angeles.

FILM REVIEW

Interests: Narrative Feature, Comedy.

Lovey-dovey Tina and Chris set out on an erotic holiday in their camper through the North of England, aiming to take in Yorkshire, the Lakes, and hit such must-sees as the Ribblehead Viaduct and the Keswick Pencil Museum. But things get off to a bloody start when Chris casually rolls over a litterbug at the Crich Tramway Village, revealing a certain antisocial behavior. As more people meet his disapproval, Tina, initially confused, quickly opts to stand by her man, joining him on a rolling murder spree that whacks anyone who happens to intrude on their bliss. As this Midlands Bonnie...

Lovey-dovey Tina and Chris set out on an erotic holiday in their camper through the North of England, aiming to take in Yorkshire, the Lakes, and hit such must-sees as the Ribblehead Viaduct and the Keswick Pencil Museum. But things get off to a bloody start when Chris casually rolls over a litterbug at the Crich Tramway Village, revealing a certain antisocial behavior. As more people meet his disapproval, Tina, initially confused, quickly opts to stand by her man, joining him on a rolling murder spree that whacks anyone who happens to intrude on their bliss. As this Midlands Bonnie and Clyde motor through the countryside, the laughs and mayhem unfold in equal, deranged measure. “Darkly funny, quasi-sweet, and incredibly bloody.”—Ain’t It Cool News “Hugely entertaining ... Hilarious.”—Indiewire (88 mins.)

Selected Filmography: Down Terrace (09), Kill List (11)

Sponsored by Music Millennium.

FILM REVIEW

Interests: Narrative Feature, Comedy.