World Film Fest at Skokie Public Library
Spring 2010
This spring the Library will present another series of critically acclaimed world films, reflective of the diverse culture of Skokie. A short discussion will follow each movie, unless otherwise noted.
| Monday, March 1 | Bright Star |
| Monday, April 5 | Storm |
| Monday, May 3 | Saving Face |
Monday, March 1 at 6:30pm (note early start time)
Bright Star (England)
Released 2009 –
119 minutes –
PG for thematic elements, some sensuality, brief language, and incidental smoking
Based on the last three years of John Keats life, the struggling poet has a passionate and difficult romantic relationship with the girl next door, Fanny Brawne. Their intense liaison comes to a tragic end with his untimely death at age twenty-five.
| Acclaim: |
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BAFTA Awards – nominated Best Costume Design |
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British Independent Film Award – winner – Best Technical Achievement for cinematography |
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British Independent Film Award – nominated - Best Actress, Best Director, Best Supporting Actress |
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Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards – nominated – Critics Choice Award for Best Costume Design |
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Cannes Film Festival – nominated – Golden Palm |
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Chicago Film Critics Association Awards – nominated – Best Actress, Best Cinematography |
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London Critics Circle Films Awards – nominated – Actress of the Year, British Film of the Year |
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Satellite Awards – nominated – Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama; Best Director; Best Motion Picture, Drama; Best Screenplay, Original |
Storm (Germany)
Released 2009 –
103 minutes –
Not rated
In English, German, Bosnian, and Serbian with English subtitles
Storm focuses on the trial of an accused war criminal, the former commander of the Yugoslavian National Army. The lead prosecutor for the International Criminal Tribunal in The Hague is Hannah Maynard. Things start to unravel when the testimony from the lead witness does not ring true and he commits suicide. Hannah still wants to pursue the case and travels to Sarajevo for the funeral, hoping to uncover new evidence. There, she meets the witness' sister Mira, and soon realizes that Mira has deep secrets.
| Acclaim: |
|
Berlin International Film Festival – winner – Amnesty International Film Prize,
Prize of the Guild of German Art House Cinemas,
Reader Jury of the "Berliner Morgenpost"
|
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Berlin International Film Festival – nominated – Golden Berlin Bear |
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Munich Film Festival – winner – Bernhard Wicki Film Award |
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Sarajevo Film Festival – Official Selection |
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London Film Festival – Official Selection |
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Chicago International Film Festival – Official Selection |
Saving Face (United States)
Released 2004 –
98 minutes –
R for some sexuality and language
In English and Chinese with English subtitles
Wilhelmina, a young Chinese-American surgeon, has kept her sexual orientation a secret from her family and the conservative, close-knit Chinese community. Wil’s life becomes even more complicated when her widowed mother reveals that she is pregnant, and turned out of her parents’ home, and moves in with Wil.
| Acclaim: |
|
GLAAD Media Award – nominated – Outstanding Film, Limited Release |
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Golden Horse Film Festival – nominated – Viewer's Choice Award, Best Actress |
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Gotham Awards – nominated - Breakthrough Director Award |
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Sundance Film Festival – Official Selection |
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Toronto Film Festival – Official Selection |
