International Centre for Ethnic Studies Presents American Movie Classics A Festival of Award Winning Films May 26 -30, 2014 – Daily 3:00 and 5:30pm at the ICES Auditorium, 2, Kynsey Terrace, Colombo 8 Monday, May 26, 3:00 pm Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967) Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, Sidney Poitier A film by Stanley Kramer Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn (who won the Academy Award as Best Actress for her performance) are unforgettable as perplexed parents in this landmark 1967 movie about mixed marriage. Sidney Poitier plays the distinguished black doctor. Stanley Kramer has created a masterful study of society’s prejudices. The film was a success in the racially volatile year of 1967 and was nominated for 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture. (108 minutes) Monday, May 26, 5:30 pm Casablanca (1942) Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman A Film by Michael Curtiz One of the most beloved American films, this captivating wartime adventure of romance and intrigue from director Michael Curtiz defies standard categorization. It is the story of Rick Blaine a world-weary ex-freedom fighter who runs a nightclub in Casabalanca during the early part of WWII. A timeless classic filled with laughter, suspense, drama and romance. (102 minutes) Tuesday, May 27, 3:00 pm Witness for the Prosecution (1957) Charles Laughton, Tyronne Power, Marlene Dietrich A Film by Billy Wilder Billy Wilder co wrote and directed this brilliant 1957 mystery based on Agatha Christie’s celebrated play about an aging London barrister who’s preparing to retire when he takes defense in the most vexing murder case of his distinguished career. A clever character-driven courtroom drama , it deserved the Academy Award nominations that it received in 1958. Nominated for six Academy Awards including Best Picture. (116 minutes) Tuesday, May 27, 5:30 pm Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966) Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, George Segal , Sandy Dennis A Film by Mike Nichols A bitter aging couple with the help of alcohol, use a young couple to fuel anguish and emotional pain towards each other. Edward Albee’s award winning play, ran for 664 performances on Broadway and closed down when this film version made its debut in 1966. (132 minutes) Wednesday, May 28, 3:00 pm Rear Window (1954) Jimmy Stewart, Grace Kelley A Film by Alfred Hitchcock Alfred Hitchcock amply demonstrates why he’s been called “The Master of Suspense” with this witty and macabre tale of voyeurism and murder starring two of the screen’s all time tale favorites: Academy Award winner Jimmy Stewart and Grace Kelly. As a photographer with a broken leg, Stewart takes up the fine art of spying on his Greenwich Village neighbors during a summer heat wave. The film – one of Hitchcock’s greatest thrillers, is considered by critics as one of his greatest. (113 minutes) Wednesday, May 28, 5:30 pm The Great Escape Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough A Film by John Sturges Based on a true story, “The Great Escape” deals with largest allied escape attempt from a German POW camp during the second World War. The first part of the film focuses on the escape efforts within the camp and process of security digging on escape tunnel. The second half of the film deals with massive effort by the German Gestapo to trace down the over 70 escape prisoners who are at the point throughout the Third Reich attempting to make their way to England and various neutral countries. (152 minutes) Thursday, May 29, 3:00pm Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) Paul Newman, Robert Redford A Film by George Roy Hill Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is rightfully hailed as one of the greatest westerns ever made. It is a great look at two likeable outlaws, full of witty dialogue and exciting action sequences. Butch Cassidy (Paul Newman) and The Sundance Kid (Robert Redford) are two train and bank robbers chased by the law. The plot follows them as they travel to Bolivia after a railroad president hires a posse to hunt them. The charisma and screen presence of the two actors and the way they work together is what drives the film of the seven Academy Award nominations , there were four Oscars: William Goldman was awarded an Oscar for Best Story and Screenplay and Conrad Hall was honored for his cinematography. Two other statues went to Burt Bacharach for Best Song (“Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head.” The other three nominations Best Picture, Best Director and Best Sound. (110 minutes) Thursday, May 29, 5:30pm 12 Angry Men Henry Fonda, Lee J. Cobb, Ed Begley A Film by Sidney Lumet The film forcuses on a jury’s deliberations in a capital. murder case. The story begins in New York City courthouse. Where an 18 year-old Hispanic boy from a slum on trial for allegedly stabbing his father to death. Eleven jurors are convinced that the defendant is guilty of murder. The twelfth has no doubt of his innocence. How can this one man steer the others toward the same conclusion? It’s a case of seemingly overwhelming evidence against a teenager accused of killing his father. A brilliant courtroom drama whose strength lies within the power of words and Sidney Lumet’s great direction. (95 minutres) Friday, May 30, 3.00pm Roman Holiday (1953) Gregory Peck, Audrey Hepburn A Film by William Wyler Roman Holiday was nominated for ten Academy Awards, and Audrey Hepburn captured an Oscar for her portrayal of a modern-day princess rebelling against her royal obligations who explores Rome on her own. She meets Gregory Peck, an American reporter who, seeking an exclusive story Pretends ignorance of her true identity. But his plan falters as they fall in love. Eddie Albert contributes to the fun as Peck’s carefree cameraman Pal. Stylishly directed by William Wyler, this romantic comedy ranks as one of the most enjoyable films of all times. (118 minutes) Friday, May 30, 5.30pm The Good The Bad and The Ugly Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef A Film by Sergio Leone Clint Eastwood is an American actor, producer and composer. He rose to international fame with his role as the Man with No Name in Sergio Leone’s Dollars trilogy of Spaghetti Western. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is spaghetti Western film, set during the American Civil War about three gunmen who set to find the hidden fortune. Clint Eastwood reprised the role of a taciturn, enigmatic loner. Here he searched for a cache of stolen gold against rivals the Bad (Lee Van Cleef) a ruthless bounty hunter, and the Ugly (Eli Wallach), a Mexican bandit. Though dubbed the Good, Eastwood ‘s character is not much better than his opponents – he is just smarter and shoots faster. Arguable the greatest of the Spaghetti westerns, memorable performances, Clint Eastwood breathtaking landscapes, and a hunting score. (154 minutes) ICES Auditorium, 2, Kynsey Terrace, Colombo 8 Tel- 011-2685085 .