Forks over Knives
Sunday 3 February – 5 pm
Documentary
(USA 2011) 90 min. T. Colin Campbell, Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr., Neal Barnard. Dir: Lee Fulkerson. What has happened to us? Despite the most advanced medical technology in the world, we are sicker than ever by nearly every measure. Two out of every three of us are overweight. Cases of diabetes are exploding, especially amongst our younger population. About half of us are taking at least one prescription drug. Major medical operations have become routine, helping to drive healthcare costs to astronomical levels. Heart disease, cancer and stroke are three leading causes of death, even though billions are spent each year to “battle” these very conditions. Millions suffer from a host of other degenerative diseases. Could it be there’s a single solution to all of these problems? A solution so comprehensive but so utterly straightforward, that it’s mind-boggling that more of us haven’t taken it seriously? Forks over Knives examines the profound claim that most, if not all, of the so-called “diseases of affluence” that afflict us can be controlled, or even reversed, by rejecting our present menu of animal-based and processed foods. The major storyline in the film traces the personal journeys of a pair of pioneering yet under-appreciated researchers, Dr. T. Colin Campbell and Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn. “A Film That Can Save Your Life.” –Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times. “Convincing, Radical and Politically Volatile.” –John Anderson, Variety.
Original Version (English) with Spanish Subtitles.
Won’t Back Down
Wednesday 6 February – 7 pm
(USA 2012) 121 min. Viola Davis, Holly Hunter, Rosie Perez. Dir: Daniel Barnz. Oscar Nominees Maggie Gyllenhaal and Viola Davis lead a stellar cast in this rousing drama inspired by actual events. Frustrated by her dyslexic daughter’s struggles at a failing inner-city school, Jamie Fitzpatrick (Gyllenhaal) tries to enroll her somewhere else. When this fails, Jamie recruits a disillusioned but caring teacher (Davis) to try to fix the broken school. Soon, the women find themselves in a tense battle against apathy, hopelessness, and powerful interests. Oscar Winner Holly Hunter and Oscar Nominee Rosie Perez also star in this inspiring story that shows how profoundly parents can affect their kids’ education.
Original Version (English) with Spanish subtitles.
A Royal Affair
Monday 11 February – 7 pm
World Cinema
(Denmark 2012) 138 min. Mads Mikkelsen, Alicia Vikander, Mikkel Boe Følsgaard. Dir: Nicolaj Arcel. Based on the true story of Caroline Mathilda, the English princess who married King Christian VII of Denmark in the early 1770s, A Royal Affair is a bold, sumptuous tale of illicit love and political passion on a sweeping, epic scale. Keen to be a dutiful wife and Queen, Caroline’s hopes are soon dashed when she discovers the King’s true madness. Turning away from the King she finds herself in the arms of the King’s physician – a radical libertarian – with whom she embarks upon a passionate affair that would bring the kingdom to the brink of revolution. A Royal Affair is the gripping tale of brave idealists who risk everything in their pursuit of freedom for their people… Above all it is the story of a passionate and forbidden romance that changed an entire nation.
Original Version (Danish) with English subtitles.
The Words
Wednesday 13 February – 7 pm
(USA 2012) 97 min. Dennis Quaid, Bradley Cooper, Jeremy Irons, Ben Barnes. Dir: Brian Klugman, Lee Sternthal. Bestselling author Clay Hammond (a very good Dennis Quaid) reads passages from his novel, The Words, about Rory Jansen, a struggling writer whose fiancée, Dora, sticks by him during the years he spends toiling away on his first book. Though he isn’t without ability, he can’t find a taker, so he gets a mailroom job with a publishing house. While honeymooning in Paris, Dora buys him a vintage satchel in which he finds an unsigned manuscript. After she breaks into tears at the beauty of the prose–thinking she’s finally gotten a true glimpse of his talent–he publishes The Window Tears under his own name, and it becomes a literary phenomenon, but then a shadowy figure starts following him around. The Old Man turns out to have ties to the text, which centers on a young American stationed in France during World War II, who loses his heart to literature and love in ways both wonderful and terrible. A romantic thriller that keeps you guessing until the very end.
Original Version (English) with Spanish subtitles.
Untouchable
Sunday 17 February – 5 pm
Cinéma Français
(France 2012) 112 min. François Cluzet, Omar Sy. Dir: Olivier Nakache, Eric Toledano. French comedy drama charting an unusual friendship. Paul, a rich aristocrat and habitual thrill-seeker, becomes quadriplegic after a paragliding accident. Alone in the world and unable to care for himself in even the most basic ways, Paul employs young Senegalese émigré Driss as his carer. Despite their very different backgrounds and outlooks on life, the two men quickly form a strong bond, teaching each other important life lessons about acceptance, respect and the true meaning of friendship in the process. It’s easy to see what made Untouchable such a massive success in France; the movie has the sweet sincerity and uplifting conclusion that make for a classic feel-good experience. The chemistry between the two leads is undeniable, and Sy–who won the French equivalent of the Oscar for his role–is a dynamic and charismatic performer, while Cluzet’s understated performance conveys Philippe’s frustrations.
Original Version (French) with English subtitles.
The Defiant Ones
Wednesday 20 February – 7 pm
Sidney Poitier’s Birthday
(USA 1958) 97 min. Sidney Poitier, Tony Curtis. Dir: Stanley Kramer. White convict chained to a black convict as they both escape their captors. With each man literally stuck with the other, racial conflicts take a back seat to survival. Directed by Stanley Kramer, the film’s obvious consciousness-raising is mitigated by a pair of raw performances from the stars, memorable appearances by Lon Chaney Jr. and Cara Williams, and Kramer’s strong storytelling abilities. The Defiant Ones’ award-winning script was co written by blacklisted writer-actor Nedrick Young.
Original Version (English) with Spanish subtitles.
Frankenweenie
Sunday 24 February – 5 pm
(USA 2012) 87 min. Martin Short, Winona Ryder. Dir: Tim Burton. From Disney and creative genius Tim Burton (Alice in Wonderland, The Nightmare Before Christmas) comes the hilarious and offbeat Frankenweenie, a heartwarming tale about a boy and his dog. After unexpectedly losing his beloved dog Sparky, young Victor harnesses the power of science to bring his best friend back to life – with just a few minor adjustments. He tries to hide his home-sewn creation, but when Sparky gets out, Victor’s fellow students, teachers and the entire town learn that getting a new ‘leash on life’ can be monstrous. Frankenweenie is alive with enchanting fun for the whole family.
Original Version (English) with Spanish subtitles.
Reflections in a Golden Eye
Wednesday 27 February – 7 pm
Elizabeth Taylor’s Birthday
(USA 1967) 108 min. Elizabeth Taylor, Marlon Brando, Brian Keith. Dir: John Huston. Based on a Carson McCullers novella, Reflections in a Golden Eye is a sordid Southern Gothic melodrama that peeks into the bedroom windows of the officers of a rural army base and finds… depravity! With an A-list cast and the leering directorial eye of John Huston, it’s lots of fun.On the base, the marriage of uptight Maj. Weldon Pendelton and his foxy and flirty wife Leonora is basically dead in the water, in part because he’s a closeted homosexual. We know this fact because of the way he stares at handsome young Private Williams, who has a hot crush on Leonora and is not only fond of riding horses through the woods naked but also of sneaking into Leonora’s bedroom at night to watch her sleep and smell her lingerie.Next door is Lt. Col. Morris Langdon, who is having an affair with Leonora, and his mentally ill wife Alison, who is tended to by her loyal Filipino houseboy, the outrageously effeminate Anacleto. We know Alison is sick because Langdon reveals that she removed her own nipples with garden shears after the death of their child. Yee-owch! With ingredients and stars like these, all you need to do is stir the pot a little and enjoy the meal. The best part: This is peak Taylor, La Liz in all her glorious pulchritude, never more sassy or sexy. “Sensuous and intense. One of Brando’s most daring performances.” Pauline Kael, The New Yorker.
Original Version (English) with Spanish subtitles.
Venue
All performances take place at the Nerja Cultural Centre.
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