By Kerri VanderHoff
The Chiaroscuro International Film Series’s 13th season will feature five celebrated films from around the world. The theme for this year’s award-winning roster of films is ‘Fate’. Using a variety of narrative, cinematic and thematic devices, each film explores the idea of fate — destiny, chance, luck, karma, providence, serendipity… what’s the idea of fate?
The programs begin at 2pm on scheduled Sundays, January through March, and include the feature presentation, a panel discussion, and a reception with refreshments. All programs are free and open to the public.
The 2019 films and their screening dates include:
- Jan. 13 — Phoenix (Petzold, 2014) Germany. After undergoing reconstructive surgery, a concentration camp survivor tries to find out if her husband betrayed her to the Nazis.
- Jan. 27 — Girlhood (Sciamma, 2014) France. Marieme joins an all-girl gang in the projects of Paris and is slowly turned out of her shell by her three sassy neighbors. As she falls further under their bravado and volatile energy, she begins making brave and foolish choices.
- Feb. 10 — The Cakemaker (Raul Graizer, 2017) Israel. A German pastry chef travels to Jerusalem in search of the wife and son of his dead lover.
- Feb. 24 — The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Maki (Kuosmanen, 2016) Finland. As fiercely talented as he is modest, Finnish boxer Olli Maki is swept into national stardom as he trains for a once-in-a-lifetime fight against the World Featherweight Champion. There’s only one problem: he’s just fallen in love.
- March 10 — Jauja (Alonso, 2014) Argentina. A Danish settler journeys into the South American desert in a desperate search for his daughter, a solitary quest that takes him to a place beyond time, where the past vanishes and the future has no meaning.
The Chiaroscuro film selection committee considers various criteria during the nominating process of the international films including variety in country of origin, length, critical acclaim, availability, and status as a West Michigan premiere viewing.
The panel discussion is organized with consideration of each film selected. Two experts are invited to sit on the panel; one is knowledgeable in film studies and the other deeply connected to the culture represented in the film. Feedback and questions from audience members are greatly encouraged.
The reception that follows the film viewing and panel discussion completes the afternoon immersion in world culture by offering complimentary food and drink and a comfortable space to gather outside the theater. This allows participants a space to mingle with others and build upon the ideas presented earlier in the program, encouraging further dialogue and cultural exchange in a friendly, casual setting.
Everyone is welcome to enjoy Sunday afternoons of film, food, and cultural exchange. The series offers an engaging way to experience the world without leaving town. All films are shown in the state-of-the-art theater at the UICA in downtown Grand Rapids (2 West Fulton). Parking garage is available, entrance is off Commerce Street. Follow us on Facebook and check the website often for update announcements on panelists and other information.
