January 20, 2016 - "About Elly" (2009)

About Elly, made in 2009, released in 2015
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
7 p.m., Stanley Coulter Hall, Room 239

Director: Asghar Farhadi
Origin: Iran | France
Languages: Persian | German
Running time: 119 min

After years abroad, Ahmad (Shahab Hosseini) returns to his native Iran to recover from his recent divorce, where he joins some old pals on a trip to the Caspian Sea. His friend also invites Elly (Taraneh Alidoosti), a young teacher who may be the cure for Ahmad's broken heart. But when Elly mysteriously disappears, the group is forced to review their actions to figure out what happened to her in this thoughtful Iranian drama. (from Netflix.com)
U.S. box office: $106,662
Watch the trailer on IMDB.

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Review of last week's film ("1001 Gram", 3.5 stars)Steven says: Writer and director Bent Hamer has concocted a sweet and thought-provoking meditation on the measure of one's life using the "weights and measures" community as a backdrop. It may help you rethink how you measure your own self-worth.

August 6, 2014 - "The Past" (2013)

The Past, 2013
Director: Asghar Farhadi
Origin: France | Italy
Languages: French | Persian
Running time: 130 min

When Iranian Ahmad returns to France after a four-year separation from his French wife, Marie, he discovers that she now has a boyfriend -- and that behind her difficult relationship with their daughter lies a secret from the past. (from Netflix.com)

MPAA rating: Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material and brief strong language
U.S. box office: $1,330,596
Watch the trailer on IMDB.

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Review of last week's film ("Mother of George", 4 stars)
Steven says: This is a a very visually appealing film backed by a script full of hard choices and consequences. A Nigerian immigrant family finds deceit and discord as they try to mesh their culture with American culture and medical system.

August 29, 2012 - "A Separation" (2011)

A Separation, 2011
Director: Asghar Farhadi
Origin: Iran
Language: Persian
Running time: 123 min.

An Iranian husband and wife split up over his decision to stay and care for his aging father instead of leaving the country with his family. But his fateful choice to hire a stranger to do most of the caretaking breeds unexpected consequences. (from Netflix.com)

MPAA rating: Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material
U.S. box office: $7,098,492

Watch the trailer on IMDB.com

March 2, 2011 -- Taste of Cherry

Taste of Cherry, 1997
Director: Abbas Kiarostami
Origin: Iran | France
Language: Persian
Running time: 95 min

In Iranian director's Abbas Kiarostami's award-winning drama, Mister Badii (Homayoun Ershadi) drives about Tehran looking for someone to bury him when he commits suicide -- or rescue him if he fails. But it's difficult to find anyone who will help. A taxidermist (Abdolrahman Bagheri) eventually agrees, mostly so he can use the money to care for his sick son. But there's another reason -- he once attempted suicide himself. (from Netflix.com)

MPAA rating: PG
U.S. box office: $311,873