2007 International Film Festival FRIDAY 3 AUG France – La doublure Så som i himmelen Das Leben der Anderen Shijie 7pm (ends 8.25pm) Paradise Now A New Day in Old Sana’a L’enfant SÅ SOM I HIMMELEN (AS IT IS IN HEAVEN) L’enfANT (THE CHILD) Spain – Volver Sweden 2004 directed by Kay Pollak, 132 mins, rated M Belgium/France 2005 Directed by: Jean-Pierre & Luc Dardenne, 100 mins, rated M 9.15pm (ends 11.15pm) A successful international conductor returns to his childhood village in the far north of The Dardenne brothers focus on downbeat characters from the working classes of Sweden to recover from a heart attack. He gets involved with the local church choir and an industrialised Belgium in their trilogy ‘The Promise’, ‘The Son’ and ‘The Child’, all of extraordinary musical creation ensues. The score by Stefan Nilsson will leave you inspired which are emotionally powerful films. ‘The Child’ recounts the tale of a young thief who SATURDAY 4 AUG and appreciative of the beauty and power of music. A must-see for all lovers of fine music. actually sells his newborn baby and then gradually realises the enormity of his action. This Sweden – Nominated for an Oscar 2005. is a stunning cinematic experience, using understated techniques of naturalism which these Så som i himmelen directors favour. Won Golden Palm at Cannes Film Festival 2005 and numerous other awards 9.30am (ends 11.40am) Das LEBEN DER ANDEREN (THE LIVES OF OTHERS) and nominations. Germany 2006 directed by F Henckel von Donnersmarck, 137 mins, rated MA+restricted Germany – This multi-award-winning film, including winner of the Oscar 2007 for Best Foreign Film, SHIJIE (THE WORLD) China 2004 directed by Jia Zhangke, 140 mins, rated PG transports us into East Germany in the late 1980s, before the fall of the Berlin Wall. An officer This acclaimed Chinese director sets his fourth film in the World Park in the outskirts of Beijing, Das Leben der Anderen of the East German Secret Police (the Stasi) has been assigned to watch over a successful where scaled representations of famous world monuments can be visited by tourists. The theme 12noon (ends 2.20pm) playwright and his actress companion, who are suspected of anti-Communist tendencies. As his park is seen through the eyes of a few of its staff, mainly young people from rural areas, which secret watch unfolds, he becomes increasingly involved in their lives and, little by little, a change reveals the impact of urbanisation and globalisation on a traditional culture. This is a timely Korea - Gwoemul comes over him. An unforgettable film. social commentary, given the successful bid for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. 2.40pm (ends 4.40pm) GWOEMUL (THE HOST) Korea 2006 directed by Bong Joon-Ho, 119 mins, rated M RANG DE BasaNTI (THE SCENT OF SAFFRON) Palestine – Paradise Now A mutant, created by the presence of toxic chemicals in the Han river, crawls out and terror is India (English/Hindi) 2006, directed by Rakesh Omprakash Mehra,157 min, rated M 5pm (ends 6.30pm) unleashed upon the citizens of Seoul. When it snatches a young girl, her family is galvanised This is an unusual Bollywood musical in that the habitual music and dance sequences, into action to save her and they find they have more than the creature to do battle with. A alongside the familiar comic sequences, are here interspersed with a strong political and social Yemen - highly successful film on many different levels, this is so much more than a mere high-tech, sci-fi message. The difference between past and present India is clearly and cleverly revealed in the A New Day in Old Sana’a monster movie. midst of outstanding acting. Nominated for BAFTA Film Award. 7pm (ends 8.30pm) PARadISE NOW Palestine (in Arabic) 2005 directed by Hany-Abu-Assad, 90 mins, rated M IL MIO MIGLIOR NEMICO (MY BEST ENEMY) Mexico - The winner of a Golden Globe Foreign Language film and nominated for an Academy Award, Italy 2007 directed by Carlo Verdone,110 mins, rated M El laberinto del fauno ‘Paradise Now’ tackles the issue of Israeli-Palestinian violence. Two childhood friends in the This beguiling comedy about infidelity Italian-style also humorously depicts an uneasy alliance West Bank are recruited to carry out a suicide bomb attack in Israel and the film focuses on between two unwilling men who have no choice but to come together to achieve a common 8.50pm (ends 10.40pm) what would be their last days together. The film crew encountered real-life dangers (land-mines goal. This film was the hit of the latest Italian Film Festival in Melbourne. exploding, missile attacks) during the shooting, at great personal risk. SUNDAY 5 AUG ITALIANETZ (THE ITALIAN) Belgium/France - A NEW DAY IN OLD SANA’A Yemen 2005, directed by Bader Ben Hirsi, 86 min, not yet classified Russia 2006 directed by Andrey Kravchuk, 2006, 90 mins, rated M L’enfant Persons under 15 must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian The lucrative business of illegal adoption in Russia is addressed in this film with poignancy 9.30am (ends 11.10am) We are proud to screen the first feature film ever shot in Yemen. It is an achingly romantic and intelligence. A six-year-old boy in a bleak orphanage is selected by an Italian couple tale about the son of a diplomat who must choose between his love for the lower-class woman (hence his nickname ‘The Italian’), but prefers to embark on a quest for his biological mother. China - Shijie and an arranged marriage with the daughter of a judge. As most Yemeni women feared that The runaway child is determinedly and relentlessly pursued by orphanage staff and police, as 11.30am (ends 1.50pm) appearing in a film would ruin their marriage prospects, the leading female actress is, in fact, he encounters both friends and foes in Moscow. Won numerous awards. Lebanese. Won best Arabic film in 2005. An Australian Premiere Screening. India - Rang de basanti EL LaBERINTO DEL FaUNO (PAN’S LaBYRINTH) 2.10pm (ends 4.50pm) Mexico (Spanish) 2006 directed by Guillermo del Torro, 112 mins, rated MA Set in violent times following the Spanish Civil War, a few Republican partisans are fighting on in Italy - the northern mountains of Spain. A fascist officer’s brief is to rid the territory of these rebels. Il mio miglior nemico His stepdaughter is repelled by him and retreats into a vast labyrinth, where she encounters 5.10pm (ends 7pm)/ the faun, Pan. She and the rebels confront cruelty and hardship, as fantasy and reality become intertwined. This richly-layered film has received almost universal acclaim, including several Russia - Italianetz Academy Award nominations. 7.30pm (ends 9pm) Rang de basanti Il mio miglior nemico Italianetz Festival Tickets The Fourth Armidale International Film Festival The Belgrave Twin Cinema 137 Dumaresq Street Armidale 3-5 August 2007 02 6772 2856 PROGRAMME HOTLINE 6773 3833 A window on the world! MA+ Restrictions apply to under 15 years - ID requested. M Recommended for mature audiences Ticket Cost Conditions FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Opening Night Festival Pass $80 Includes Opening Night and all 13 films. Limited X X X X X X X X X X X X X availability Friday 3 August 2007 Opening Night $25 Includes 2 opening films and supper. Subject to availability. X X 5 Film Pass $45 Please select 5 Films EXcluding Opening Night 3 Film Pass $30 Please select 3 films EXcluding Opening Night LA DOUBLURE at 7pm, Individual Tickets $11, $9 conc Only available 1 week prior to the festival and are followed by supper and official welcome. subject to availability. Excludes Opening Night VOlvER screening at 9:15pm. 1. France – La doublure 8. Mexico - El laberinto del fauno 2. Spain – Volver 9. Belgium/France - L’enfant 3. Sweden – Så som i himmelen 10. China - Shijie 4. Germany – Das Leben der Anderen 11. India - Rang de basanti 5. Korea - Gwoemul 12. Italy - Il mio miglior nemico 6. Palestine – Paradise Now 13. Russia - Italianetz 7. Yemen - A New Day in Old Sana’a NB: Tickets will be resold at session time if seats unfilled. Cafe Royale Special Festival Menu Coffee, cakes and sandwiches are available before and between films at the CaféR oyale. A special festival menu LA DOUBLURE (THE VALET) France 2006, directed by Francis Veber, 85 mins, rated M of hot snacks including our popular soup will also be The master of French farce, Francis Veber (The Birdcage, The Dinner Game, The Closet, etc.) does available. not disappoint with his latest hilarious comedy. The star-studded cast (Daniel Auteuil, Kristen Scott Thomas, etc.) provide a satirical commentary on the fashion industry, bourgeois Parisian lifestyles and the power of image in shaping our desires, in addition to a feel-good experience. VOLVER (THE RETURN) Spain 2006, directed by Pedro Almodóvar, 121 mins, rated M This latest film by the highly-acclaimed Spanish director, Pedro Almodóvar, is a dazzling portrayal of the glorification of women. After its comic opening, it soon becomes an intellectually-challenging, dense film full of twists and turns and exquisite pace. A drama/ The Armidale International Film Festival comedy/thriller with outstanding performances by Penelope Cruz is proudly associated with Services UNE, and Carmen Maura, two of the director’s favourite actresses. Highly the Belgrave Twin Cinema and the School of recommended. Languages, Cultures and Linguistics at UNE. www.opus-b.com/iff www.belgravecinema.com.au.