Films & Schedules - W

War Witch unfolds as a harrowing fairy-tale told by a 14-year-old African child soldier to her unborn son. Taken from her village, Komona is given a hallucinogenic milk that gifts her with a sorceress’s ability to see the ghosts of the fallen. Fighting alongside an albino boy named Magician, she soon comes to understand that her career as “witch” to the rebel leader will only last as long as their victories. The two set off together, putting their violent past behind them as they bond while searching for the white rooster she has demanded as proof of his love. Nguyen...

War Witch unfolds as a harrowing fairy-tale told by a 14-year-old African child soldier to her unborn son. Taken from her village, Komona is given a hallucinogenic milk that gifts her with a sorceress’s ability to see the ghosts of the fallen. Fighting alongside an albino boy named Magician, she soon comes to understand that her career as “witch” to the rebel leader will only last as long as their victories. The two set off together, putting their violent past behind them as they bond while searching for the white rooster she has demanded as proof of his love. Nguyen has interwoven true stories of child soldiers in Burma with footage captured in the Democratic Republic of Congo to fashion a story of touching beauty about the search for love and finding inner peace. (90 mins.)

Filmography: The Marsh (02), Truffe (08), City of Shadows (10)

This year’s Canadian submission for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar.

Sponsored by MercyCorps.

FILM REVIEW

Interests: Oscar Submissions, Narrative Feature.

“Cross Ocean’s Eleven with The Usual Suspects, move the setting to a northern English city, and you have the basis of this remarkable debut. Harvey had dreams of becoming a lawyer before being convicted of drug possession. We meet him in a police interview room. Bloodied, bruised, and recently paroled from prison, he’s about to be interrogated about the violent robbery of a workingmen’s club. What follows is a series of flashbacks as Harvey reveals his version of how he ended up back in the hands of the law. Wasteland has all the elements of a classic heist thriller: a...

“Cross Ocean’s Eleven with The Usual Suspects, move the setting to a northern English city, and you have the basis of this remarkable debut. Harvey had dreams of becoming a lawyer before being convicted of drug possession. We meet him in a police interview room. Bloodied, bruised, and recently paroled from prison, he’s about to be interrogated about the violent robbery of a workingmen’s club. What follows is a series of flashbacks as Harvey reveals his version of how he ended up back in the hands of the law. Wasteland has all the elements of a classic heist thriller: a likeable group of guys, a beautiful and reluctantly involved ex-girlfriend, revenge, and the sense that all can be forgiven if justice—even of the street variety—is served. A gritty, exhilarating ride.”—Toronto International Film Festival (106 mins.)

First Feature.

FILM REVIEW

Interests: New Directors, Narrative Feature.

Flip books made of memo pads and other found folios come to life. (7 mins.)

See SHORT CUTS V: MADE IN OREGON to purchase tickets.

Flip books made of memo pads and other found folios come to life. (7 mins.)

See SHORT CUTS V: MADE IN OREGON to purchase tickets.

Interests: Short Cuts.

In the dangerous, poverty-stricken slums of Buenos Aires, two Catholic priests tirelessly fighting for the dispossessed take very different paths in their struggle against violence, corruption, and injustice. The older Julian uses his political connections to see to the construction of a critical hospital, while the younger Nicholas, troubled by his lack of faith in the Church’s ability to help the poor, questions his calling. Between them is Luciana, an atheistic social worker who works with one as she becomes romantically involved with the other. Enduring constant struggle, torn apart by the conflicting interests of rival drug cartels, venal politics,...

In the dangerous, poverty-stricken slums of Buenos Aires, two Catholic priests tirelessly fighting for the dispossessed take very different paths in their struggle against violence, corruption, and injustice. The older Julian uses his political connections to see to the construction of a critical hospital, while the younger Nicholas, troubled by his lack of faith in the Church’s ability to help the poor, questions his calling. Between them is Luciana, an atheistic social worker who works with one as she becomes romantically involved with the other. Enduring constant struggle, torn apart by the conflicting interests of rival drug cartels, venal politics, rampant police corruption, and the basic needs of the people, a moment of reckoning tests friendship, faith, and the worth of their commitment. (110 mins.)

Selected Filmography: Crane World (99), Rolling Family (04), Carancho (10)

Sponsored by OregonLive.com.

FILM REVIEW

Interests: Narrative Feature, Spanish Language.

World War II is drawing to a close. Furious fighting is exhausting both the Soviet and Nazi forces. The more the Soviet army advances, the more often “White Tiger,” a huge, indestructible Nazi tank, appears on the battlefield. Emerging from the smoke of combat, it ruthlessly destroys the adversary and then swiftly vanishes. The Soviets decide they must build an extraordinary tank—with a team headed by a commander who was nearly burnt alive. Although he no longer remembers his own name, he has gained the ability to understand the mystical language of tanks ... The pursuit of the monster begins....

World War II is drawing to a close. Furious fighting is exhausting both the Soviet and Nazi forces. The more the Soviet army advances, the more often “White Tiger,” a huge, indestructible Nazi tank, appears on the battlefield. Emerging from the smoke of combat, it ruthlessly destroys the adversary and then swiftly vanishes. The Soviets decide they must build an extraordinary tank—with a team headed by a commander who was nearly burnt alive. Although he no longer remembers his own name, he has gained the ability to understand the mystical language of tanks ... The pursuit of the monster begins. Who will win in this duel? “This strange, potent war movie plays like Moby Dick on the Eastern front, with a score by Richard Wagner. The strong aesthetic and suspenseful action sequences should wow audiences worldwide.”—Variety (104 mins.)

Selected Filmography: Jazzman (84), American Daughter (95), The Rider Named Death (04), Ward No. 6 (09)

FILM REVIEW

Interests: Oscar Submissions, Narrative Feature, History.

The unsettling effects of rumor on a teenage girl. (13 mins.)

See SHORT CUTS I: INTERNATIONAL TIES to purchase tickets.

The unsettling effects of rumor on a teenage girl. (13 mins.)

See SHORT CUTS I: INTERNATIONAL TIES to purchase tickets.

Interests: Short Cuts.

Ferreira’s elegant triptych of coming-of-age tales follows three teenage friends and their individual struggles to define themselves amidst hard family conditions and a seemingly indifferent society: Graffiti artist Alex, ignored by his parents and faced with the mounting living expenses for an art grant he wins; kickboxer Gabi, who lives in fear of his domineering gym-owner father; and wealthy Oky, who lives comfortably but without affection from her parents. “The sins of parents and teachers are visited on their progeny and students in this largely subtle, compassionate, and perceptive take on bad education affecting a trio of Catalan teens. ......

Ferreira’s elegant triptych of coming-of-age tales follows three teenage friends and their individual struggles to define themselves amidst hard family conditions and a seemingly indifferent society: Graffiti artist Alex, ignored by his parents and faced with the mounting living expenses for an art grant he wins; kickboxer Gabi, who lives in fear of his domineering gym-owner father; and wealthy Oky, who lives comfortably but without affection from her parents. “The sins of parents and teachers are visited on their progeny and students in this largely subtle, compassionate, and perceptive take on bad education affecting a trio of Catalan teens. ... An engrossing drama as well as an urgent cry for social change.”—Variety (100 mins.)

Selected Filmography: I Know Who You Are (00), The Impatient Alchemist (02), Broken Hearts (05)

Winner of the Best Film and Best Screenplay Prizes at the Malaga Spanish Film Festival and of the Grand Prize at the Montreal Film Festival.

FILM REVIEW

Interests: Narrative Feature, Spanish Language.

Adapted from Paco Roca’s comic book, winner of the Spanish National Comic Prize, this beautifully crafted animated feature focuses on the friendship of Emilio and Miguel, two senior citizens living in a care facility. Suffering from the early stages of Alzheimer’s, Emilio is apprehensive about moving into a nursing home. Helping him make the transition is his roommate Miguel, a rascally Argentinean. Both sensitively told and refreshingly acerbic, Wrinkles smoothes its challenging subject into an inspiring story full of charm, wit, and universal appeal. (89 mins.)

Adapted from Paco Roca’s comic book, winner of the Spanish National Comic Prize, this beautifully crafted animated feature focuses on the friendship of Emilio and Miguel, two senior citizens living in a care facility. Suffering from the early stages of Alzheimer’s, Emilio is apprehensive about moving into a nursing home. Helping him make the transition is his roommate Miguel, a rascally Argentinean. Both sensitively told and refreshingly acerbic, Wrinkles smoothes its challenging subject into an inspiring story full of charm, wit, and universal appeal. (89 mins.)

Selected Filmography: Tokyo Onlypic 2008 (08)

Winner of the Best Animated Film and Best Adapted Screenplay Awards at the 2012 Goya Awards.

Sponsored by LAIKA.

FILM REVIEW

Interests: Narrative Feature, Animation, Spanish Language.

This compelling story of a man trying to get back in touch with his sister after 14 years asks the question, “Can one change what has already been written in ink?” (11 mins.)

See SHORT CUTS IV: INTERNATIONAL TIES to purchase tickets.

This compelling story of a man trying to get back in touch with his sister after 14 years asks the question, “Can one change what has already been written in ink?” (11 mins.)

See SHORT CUTS IV: INTERNATIONAL TIES to purchase tickets.

Interests: Short Cuts.