Festival Archives: Summer Screenings

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Small Country: An African Childhood Petit pays

  Eric Barbier

  France      2020    

Synopsis

The son of a French father and Rwandan mother, 10-year-old Gabriel spends idyllic days studying at school and playing with friends in a well-sheltered Burundian community. That is, until the ethnic genocide in neighboring Rwanda spills into his world, threatening families and taking lives. From the semi-autobiographical novel of singer and writer Gaël Faye comes this perceptive and affecting tale of a childhood interrupted and paradise lost.

 French, Kirundi, Swahili with subtitles 
  111 minutes

Screenings & Events

Post-screening discussion led by Professor Maggie O’Brien, DePaul University

Post-screening discussion presented by: Logo: Citi 161x100

Media

Sponsors

Film Partner

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The Legend of Molly Johnson

  Leah Purcell

  Australia      2021    

Synopsis

On a small homestead deep in Australia’s Snowy Mountains, Molly Johnson is dead set on survival. With her husband away on a drove, the pregnant matriarch must fend for her family against the wild, threatening countryside. When her secret past gets the town talking, she is pushed to extremes. This blistering neo-western, reimagined from director Lea Purcell’s acclaimed play (itself an adaptation of Henry Lawson’s classic short story), is a riveting examination of race, family, and identity.


  108 minutes

Screenings & Events

Post-Screening Discussion

Post-screening discussion with Aaron Carroll, First Secretary-Trade & Economic, Australian High Commission, Canada; Consul-General Chris Elstoft, Australian Consulate-General Chicago.

Post-screening discussion presented by: Logo: Citi 161x100

Media

Sponsors

Film Partner

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The Book of Fish Jasan-eobo

  Joon-ik Lee

  South Korea      2021    

Synopsis

1801. When a new king ascends the throne, scholar Jeong Yak-Jeon is exiled to a remote island for incorporating Christianity into his Confucian teachings. There, he becomes fascinated with the awesome variety of sea creatures caught by the island’s fishermen and, with one local’s help, authors an encyclopedia of the underwater world. Based on Jeong’s life and Book of Fish, the film is a sweeping account of 19th century Korea and a tender portrait of an unlikely friendship.

 Korean with subtitles 
  126 minutes

Screenings & Events

Post-Screening Discussion

In-person post-screening discussion with Professor Ji-Yeon Yuh, Northwestern University.

Post-screening discussion presented by: Logo: Citi 161x100

Media

Sponsors

Film Partner

Logo: Korean Consulate General in Chicago

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Poupelle of Chimney Town Entotsu machi no Puperu

  Hirota Yûsuke

  Japan      2020    

Synopsis

Poupelle of Chimney Town is the breathtaking story of young Lubicchi and a man made of garbage, Poupelle. Living among the thick smoke from the chimneys of his isolated town, Lubicchi yearns to see the “stars” — to know the truth — his father always told him about. Adapted from the bestselling picture book, Poupelle of Chimney Town is filled with inspiring performances and splendid music and sound effects and produced at Tokyo’s famed STUDIO4ºC.

 Japanese with subtitles 
  100 minutes

Screenings & Events

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Sponsors

Film Partner

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Let It Be Morning Vayehi Boker

  Eran Kolirin

  Israel      2021    

Synopsis

When Sami returns with his wife and son to his Arabic village for his brother’s wedding, he plans a quick return to Jerusalem, where his business and mistress await. Just as he is leaving, the village is unexpectedly put under lockdown by Israeli soldiers, and Sami finds himself caught in an uneasy web of personal and political intrigues. This adaptation of Sayed Kashua’s 2006 novel mixes wry comedy with a touch of the absurd to create a perceptive, winsome satire.

 Arabic, Hebrew with subtitles 
  101 minutes

Screenings & Events

Post-screening discussion presented by: Logo: Citi 161x100

Media

Sponsors

Film Partner

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