Fourth Multicultural Film Festival - International Films

Joyeux Noël (Merry Christmas) (2005) Date Screened: Monday June 16th, 2008 Director: Christian Carion Length: 116 minutes Rating: R Nominated for an Oscar. Another 2 wins & 8 nominations

In 1914, World War I, the bloodiest war ever at that time in human history, was well under way. However on Christmas Eve, numerous sections of the Western Front called an informal, and unauthorized, truce where the various front-line soldiers of the conflict peacefully met each other in No Man's Land to share a precious pause in the carnage with a fleeting brotherhood. This film dramatizes one such section as the French, Scottish and German sides partake in the unique event, even though they are aware that their superiors will not tolerate its occurrence.

The Wind that Shakes the Barley (2006) Date Screened: Tuesday June 17th, 2008 Director: Ken Loach Length: 127 minutes Rating: 14+ Won 5 awards with 18 nominations

Ireland, 1920. Damien and Teddy are brothers. But while the latter leads a guerrilla squad fighting for independence, Damien, a medical graduate, would rather further his training in London. After witnessing the atrocities committed by the Black and Tans, he joins Damien's resistance group. A hard-fought truce is short-lived as one faction of the guerrillas accepts a treaty with the British while the other doesn't. Civil war ensues...

This is England (2006) Date Screened: Wednesday June 18th, 2008 Director: Shane Meadows Length: 95 minutes Rating: 18+ Won BAFTA Film Award. Another 7 wins and 13 nominations

A story about a troubled boy growing up in England, set in 1983. He comes across a few skinheads on his way home from school, after a fight. They become his new best friends even like family. Based on experiences of director Shane Meadows.

Silk (2007) Date Screened: Thursday June 19th, 2008 Director: François Girard Length: 112 minutes Rating: 14+ Won 8 awards, with 4 nominations

Based on the Alessandro Baricco's novel this is the story of a married silkworm smuggler, Herve Joncour, in 19th Century France who travels to Japan to collect his clandestine cargo. While there he spots a beautiful Japanese woman, the concubine of a local baron, with whom he becomes obsessed. Without speaking the same language, they communicate through letters until war intervenes. Their unrequited love persists however, and Herve's wife Helene begins to suspect.

Rendition (2007) Date Screened: Friday June 20th, 2008 Director: Gavin Hood Length: 122 minutes Rating: 13+ Won the Mill Valley Film Festival award

After a terrorist bombing kills an American envoy in a foreign country. An investigation leads to an Egyptian who has been living in the United States for years and who is married to an American. He is apprehended when he's on his way home. The U.S. sends him to the country where the incident occurs for interrogation which includes torture.

Charlie Wilson's War (2007) Date Screened: Saturday June 21st, 2008 Director: Mike Nichols Length: 95 minutes Rating: 13+ Nominated for an Oscar. Another 1 award and 10 nominations

A drama based on a Texas congressman Charlie Wilson's covert dealings in Afghanistan, where his efforts to assist rebels in their war with the Soviets have some unforeseen and long-reaching effects.

Love in the Time of Cholera (2006) Date Screened: Sunday June 22nd, 2008 Director: Mike Newell Length: 139 minutes Rating: R Nominated for a Golden Globe Award

Florentino Ariza, a telegraph boy, falls in love with Fermina Daza, the daughter of a mule trader. Ariza is persistent, writing her constantly, serenading, speaking poetically of love. Her father tries to keep them apart, and then, one day, she sees this love as an illusion. She's soon married to Urbino, a cultured physician, and for years, Ariza carries a torch, finding solace in the arms of women, loving none. After Urbino's fall, are Ariza's hopes delusional?

This event was sponsored by:

• City of Kitchener
• Tapestry: Celebrations of Diversity
• CTV
• Social Planning Council of Kitchener-Waterloo
• FM 98.5 CKWR
• Waterloo Regional Arts Council
• Grand River Film Festival
• Waterloo Festival for Animated Cinema