By Michelle Hines, University Relations
Contact: (336) 334-5371
Posted 1-29-08
GREENSBORO, NC – Give in to your “Everyday Passions” Tuesdays at UNCG.
The university has organized a film festival highlighting flicks from Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Georgia. Enthusiasts can screen films in the “Everyday Passions: Imagining Central Asia and the Caucasus” series beginning at 7:30 p.m. in Room 1215, Moore Humanities and Research Administration Building.
Refreshments and discussion follow screenings. All films are free and open to the public.
Film schedules are:
• Feb. 12, “Beshkempir” (“Adopted Son”), 1998, 80 min.
(Introduced by Dr. Jonathan Tudge, Human Development and Family Studies)
Aktan Abdykalykov made his directorial debut with this semi-autobiographical French-Kyrgyz drama set in a rural Kyrgyz village where young Adyr plays in the brick mud pits, takes an interest in a girl and attends outdoor movie showings. However, Adyr’s pals reject him when they learn that he’s adopted, and more dark clouds hover over Adyr after a death in the family. In Kyrgyz with English subtitles.
• Feb. 26, “Tueur A Gages” (“Killer”) 1998, 89 min.
(Introduced by Dr. Julie Brown, Sociology)
Darezhan Omirbaev directed this French-Kazakh film about a young man driven to the precipice in an uncaring world. Marat works as a chauffeur for a well-known scientist. Driving home from the maternity hospital with his wife, Aijan, and their new baby boy, Marat is at fault during a traffic accident. Unable to cover costs when the baby gets sick, Marat ?nds it necessary to follow a gangster’s bidding to murder a journalist. In Russian with English subtitles.
• March 18, “Angel on the Right,” 2002, 89 min.
(Introduced by Dr. Joan Titus, School of Music)
Hamro is a thug. When he hears that his elderly mother, Halima, is sick, he returns to his hometown of Asht in Tajikistan where the doctor gives him the bad news: Halima will be dead in a few days. As his mother’s pretty nurse explains Halima’s dying wish, Hamro’s abandoned young son, Yatim, is brought to him by the family of the boy’s mother. In Tajik with English subtitles.
• April 1, “Brigands, Chapter VII,” 1996, 129 min.
(Introduced by Dr. David Cook, Broadcasting and Cinema)
In this satiric comedy/drama from Georgian director Otar Iosseliani, a group of censors gather to pass judgment on a new film. But because the reels are shown out of order, instead they are treated to a parade of sex, violence and bitterly ironic humor as the story jumps between historical eras. In Georgian and Russian with English subtitles.
“Everyday Passions” is sponsored by the Department of German, Russian, Japanese and Chinese Studies, the History Club, the International and Global Studies Program, the Kohler Fund and the Lloyd International Honors College. Films are provided courtesy of Dr. David Cook and the Department of Broadcasting and Cinema.
