Showing independent and foreign films weekly on the Purdue campus. All screenings are subject to availability; we will make every effort to show the listed films as shown. We will update this list if/when changes need to be made.

The Fall 2016 Season runs September 2-December 16, 2016. All screenings but one for this season begin at 7:00 p.m. in Stanley Coulter Hall, Room 239, 640 Oval Drive. Parking is available in the University Street parking garage, on the Purdue University campus. (Screening on September 9 will be in Forney Hall, G124, 480 Stadium Mall Drive, parking in Northwestern Avenue garage.)

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

February 6, 2013 - "Oranges and Sunshine" (2011)

Oranges and Sunshine, 2011
Director: Jim Loach
Origin: UK | Australia
Language: English
Running time: 136 min

This drama based on a true story follows British social worker Margaret Humphreys as she uncovers a shocking deportation scandal involving thousands of children and risks her personal life to draw global attention to the grave injustice. (from Netflix.com)

MPAA rating: Rated R for some strong language

Watch the trailer on IMDB.

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Review of last week's film (In America, 4 stars)
Steven says: Sometimes I search too hard for extra meaning in films. In "In America", I think the film stands simply as a fluid story about one family trying to survive a tragic situation. And they ARE survivors, like so many others who try to get through the day, even though the thought of giving up is just as enticing. The Bolger girls are the glue for this film, and Samantha Morton and Paddy Considine are excellent as well. While sometimes the storytelling is uneven, I love the way we are forced to see situations from the perspectives of adults and children.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

January 30, 2013 - "In America" (2002)

In America, 2002
Director: Jim Sheridan
Origin: Ireland | UK
Languages: English | Spanish | Irish Gaelic
Running time: 105 min

With their two daughters in tow, Johnny and Sarah leave Ireland and head to New York so Johnny can pursue an acting career. What follows is a series of adventures, both comical and terrifying, as they struggle to make the most of their new life. (from Netflix.com)

MPAA rating: Rated R for sexuality and brief language
U.S. box office: $15,539,266

Watch the trailer on IMDB.

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Review of last week's film (The Hedgehog,  4 stars)
Steven says: The simple message is this: don't judge a book by its cover. But it's told in such an intriguing way, through a video journals, fantastic art, and everyday experiences that help us see each other as individuals. It takes a real outsider to help the two local outsiders see things differently -- about themselves, their families and their lots in life.

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

January 23, 2013 - "The Hedgehog" (2009)

The Hedgehog, 2009
Director: Mona Achache
Origin: France | Italy
Languages: French | Japanese
Running time: 100 min

Fed up with the world's hypocrisy, an 11-year-old makes plans to commit suicide on the eve of her 12th birthday. But an unlikely bond with her building's concierge and an older, elegant resident stands to alter her outlook on everything. (from Netflix.com)

Watch the trailer on IMDB.

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Review of last week's film ("Monsieur Lazhar",  4.5 stars)Steven says: At first glance, this is a story of tragedies, one that visits a school and one that visits its substitute teacher. With a deeper look, a theme of "substitutes" emerges. Characters become for others what they need or what was taken from them. Traditional roles are filled by non-traditional characters or even by rules and regulations. And while substitutes have their places, sometimes there is no substitute for a real friend, a real hug or real family.

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

January 16, 2013 - "Monsieur Lazhar" (2011)

Monsieur Lazhar, 2011
Director: Philippe Falardeau
Origin: Canada
Languages: French | English | Arabic
Running time: 94 min

When an Algerian immigrant seeking asylum in Montreal takes a job replacing an elementary school teacher who committed suicide, he finds that his own secret, tragic background enables him to help the children deal with their loss. (from Netflix.com)

MPAA rating: Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material, a disturbing image and brief language
U.S. box office: $2,009,041

Watch the trailer on IMDB.

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Review of last week's film (Saturn in Opposition, 4.5 stars)
Steven says: Often cited as an Italian "Big Chill", this film presents a realistic look at a group of friends who, while not perfect, must still carry on when their comfortable lives are shaken. We are presented with scenes that unfold in unexpected ways and scenes that slap us with an emotional wallop when we aren't looking.The story is told with a light touch, adding random details to give richer backgrounds to each of the characters.

Thursday, January 3, 2013

January 9, 2013 - "Saturn in Opposition" (2007)

Saturn in Opposition, 2007
Director: Ferzan Ozpetek
Origin: Italy | France | Turkey
Language: Italian
Running time: 110 min

While having dinner at the home of Lorenzo (Luca Argentero) and his lover, Davide (Pierfrancesco Favino), a close group of friends reminisce about the past and take stock of their lives, until an unexpected tragedy begins tearing their relationships apart. Set in Rome, this drama from Italian-Turkish director Ferzan Ozpetek co-stars Ambra Angiolini, Stefano Accorsi, Margherita Buy and Serra Yilmaz. (from Netflix.com)

Watch the trailer on YouTube.

Announcing the Winter 2013 season

The Winter 2013 Season is January 9 – May 1, 2013.
All screenings for this season begin at 7:00 p.m. in Forney Hall, Room B124, 480 Stadium Mall Drive, on the Purdue University campus.
Parking is available in the Northwestern Avenue parking garage.
  • Wednesday, January 9, 2013, Saturn in Opposition, 2007; Director: Ferzan Ozpetek; Origin:  Italy | France | Turkey; Language(s): Italian; 110 min
  • Wednesday, January 16, 2013, Monsieur Lazhar, 2011; Director: Philippe Falardeau; Origin: Canada; Language(s): French | English | Arabic; 94 min
  • Wednesday, January 23, 2013, The Hedgehog, 2009; Director: Mona Achache; Origin: France | Italy; Language(s): French | Japanese; 100 min
  • Wednesday, January 30, 2013, In America, 2002; Director: Jim Sheridan; Origin: Ireland | UK; Language(s): English | Spanish | Irish Gaelic; 105 min
  • Wednesday, February 6, 2013, Oranges and Sunshine, 2011; Director: Jim Loach; Origin: UK | Australia; Language(s): English; 136 min
  • Wednesday, February 13, 2013, Romantics Anonymous, 2010; Director: Jean-Pierre Améris; Origin: France | Belgium; Language(s): French; 80 min
  • Wednesday, February 20, 2013, Eternity and a Day, 1998; Director: Theo Angelopoulos; Origin: Greece | France | Germany | Italy; Language(s): Greek | Italian; 137 min
  • Wednesday, February 27, 2013, Elena, 2011; Director: Andrey Zvyagintsev; Origin: Russia; Language(s): Russian; 109 min
  • Wednesday, March 6, 2013, 8 1/2, 1963; Director: Federico Fellini; Origin: Italy | France; Language(s): Italian | English | French | German; 138 min
  • Wednesday, March 13, 2013, NO SCREENING (Purdue Spring Break)
  • Wednesday, March 20, 2013, Oslo, August 31st, 2011; Director: Joachim Trier; Origin: Norway; Language(s): Norwegian | English; 95 min
  • Wednesday, March 27, 2013, Mr. and Mrs. Iyer, 2002; Director: Aparna Sen; Origin: India; Language(s): English | Tamil | Bengali | Hindi | Punjabi | Urdu; 120 min

Three from Chinese director Yimou Zhang
  • Wednesday, April 3, 2013, Ju Dou, 1990; Origin: Japan | China; Language(s): Mandarin; 94 min
  • Wednesday, April 10, 2013, To Live, 1994; Origin: China | Hong Kong; Language(s): Mandarin | Japanese; 125 min
  • Wednesday, April 17, 2013, Not One Less, 1999; Origin: China; Language(s): Mandarin; 106 min

  • Wednesday, April 24, 2013, In Darkness, 2011; Director: Agnieszka Holland; Origin: Poland | Germany | Canada; Language(s): Polish | Ukrainian | Yiddish | German; 145 min
  • Wednesday, May 1, 2013, Beasts of the Southern Wild, 2012; Director: Benh Zeitlin; Origin: USA; Language(s): English; 93 min