WINTER-SPRING 2024 DAVIDSON FILM CLUB SCREENINGS
JANUARY 20: PAN’S LABYRINTH
Directed by Guillermo del Toro (Mexico, in Spanish w/English subtitles, 2006, 1h58)
Pan’s Labyrinth is Alice in Wonderland for grown-ups, with the horrors of both reality and fantasy blended into an extraordinary, spellbinding fable. In 1944 Falangist Spain, a girl, fascinated with fairytales, is sent along with her pregnant mother to live with her new stepfather, a ruthless, sadistic captain of the Spanish army fighting Republican partisans operating from the surrounding forest. During the night, she meets a fairy who takes her to meet an old faun in the center of a labyrinth. . .
Discussion leader: Lawrence Toppman, former award-winning film, theater, and music critic for the Charlotte Observer.
FEBRUARY 10: TANNA
Directed by Martin Butler and Bentley Dean (Australia, in Aboriginal language w/English subtitles, 2015, 1h44)
In a traditional tribal society in the South Pacific, a young girl, Wawa, falls in love with her chief’s grandson, Dain. When an inter-tribal war escalates, Wawa is unknowingly betrothed as part of a peace deal. The young lovers run away, refusing her arranged fate. They must choose between their hearts and the future of the tribe, while the villagers must wrestle with preserving their traditional culture and adapting it to the growing demands for individual freedom.
Discussion leader: Dr. Eriberto (“Fuji”) Lozada, Senior Associate Dean of the Faculty and Professor of Anthropology, Davidson College.
MARCH 16: DOWNFALL
Directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel (Germany, in German w/English subtitles, 2003, 2h36)
In 1942, young Traudl Junge lands her dream job—secretary to Adolf Hitler at the peak of his power. In April of 1945, Germany stands at the brink of defeat with the Soviet Armies closing in from the west and south. Downfall explores these final days of the Reich, where senior German leaders (such as Himmler and Goring) begin defecting from their beloved Fuhrer in an effort to save their own skins, while still others (Goebbels) pledge to die with Hitler. But what becomes of Hitler himself?
Discussion leader: Dr. Scott Denham, Dana Professor of German Studies, Davidson College
APRIL 13: THE INSULT
Directed by Ziad Doueiri (Lebanon, in Arabic w/ English subtitles, 2017, 1h53)
In today’s Beirut, an insult blown out of proportion finds Toni, a Lebanese Christian, and Yasser, a Palestinian refugee, in court. From secret wounds to traumatic revelations, the media circus surrounding the case puts Lebanon through a social explosion, forcing Toni and Yasser to reconsider their lives and prejudices.
Discussion leader: Dr. Rebecca Joubin, Chair of Arab Studies, Davidson College.
MAY 18: THE CONSTANT GARDENER
Directed by Fernando Meirelles (UK, in English, etc., 2005, 2h09)
Assigned to a new post, reserved British diplomat Justin Quayle relocates to Kenya with his lovely young wife Tessa, an activist for social justice. Tessa is found murdered out in the wilderness. Grief-stricken and angry, Justin sets out to uncover the truth behind Tessa’s murder—and in the process unearths some disturbing revelations.
Discussion leader: Matt Cramer, Film critic for the on-line blog “Y’all Weekly.”
JUNE 22: THE CELEBRATION
Directed by Thomas Vinterberg (Denmark, in Danish, etc., w/English subtitles, 1998, 1h45)
When a father turns 60, his large family gathers at his huge mansion to celebrate him. Everybody likes and respects him deeply–or do they? The older sister has recently committed suicide, and the father asks her twin, Christian, to say a few words about her. Christian announces that this is the “Speech of Truth.” Everybody laughs, except for the father, who looks nervous. Does he realize that his oldest son is about to reveal something terrible?
*Trigger warning: references to sexual abuse of children.
Discussion leader: Preston Toney, Davidson Film Club member.