July 1, 2015 - "Lilting" (2014)

Lilting, 2014
Director: Hong Khaou
Origin: UK
Language: English | Mandarin
Running time: 86 min

"Lilting" features intensely moving performances by Asian cinema's legend Cheng Pei Pei as Junn, an immigrant mother grieving the untimely death of her only son Kai (Andrew Leung), and Ben Whishaw as her son's lover, Richard. Jun's grieving is disrupted by Richard's visits and his attempts to communicate are first met with distrust. Richard hires Vann, a young translator, who helps piece together the tender memories of the man they both loved. (from Netflix.com)

U.S. box office: $21,068
Watch the trailer on IMDB.

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Review of our previous screening ("The Retrieval," 3.5 stars)
Steven says: This is an intense look at the lives of two black people - one freed and in the North, one freed and perilously close to slavery -- toward the end of the Civil War. They both are affected by their relationship to each other, even as outside forces threaten their safety and their future.

June 17, 2015 - "The Retrieval" (2013)

The Retrieval, 2013
Director: Chris Eska
Origin: USA
Language: English
Running time: 92 min

1864: As war ravages the nation, on the outskirts of the Civil War, it is business as usual for slave-owners and traders. The Retrieval follows Will (Ashton Sanders), a fatherless thirteen-year-old boy who survives by working with a white bounty hunter gang. They send him to earn the trust of runaway slaves in order to lure them back to the south. On a dangerous mission into the free north to find Nate (Tishuan Scott), a fugitive freedman, things go wrong and Will and Nate find themselves on the run. As the bond between them unexpectedly grows, Will becomes consumed by conflicting emotions. (from Netflix.com)

MPAA rating: Rated R for some violence
U.S. box office: $50,257
Watch the trailer on IMDB.
See "The Retrieval"'s many festival awards
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Review of last week's film ("Girlhood", 3.5 stars) 
Steven says: While the script and female bonding seemed to resonate more with the women in the audience, the story highlights, once again, the challenges and systemic roadblocks that exist for families stuck in a poverty-stricken neighborhood. Fresh talent and perspective make this worthy of your time.

June 10, 2015 - "Girlhood" (2015)

Girlhood, 2015
Director: Céline Sciamma
Origin: France
Language: French
Running time: 113 min

Set amid the projects of Paris, this absorbing depiction of a disaffected 16-year-old girl chronicles the transformation of her social identity after she falls in with a gang of female dropouts. (from Netflix.com)

Watch the trailer on IMDB.

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Review of last week's film (Force Majeure, 4 stars)
Steve says: For once, I agree with the new title for audiences outside of Sweden. This is an engrossing study of relationships after a traumatic experience for one family at a ski resort.  Beautiful acting and scenery, funky shots thrown in to keep the viewer off -kilter, and several questions to keep one discussing the film long after it is over.