CORVALLIS - A number of acclaimed contemporary films from eight different countries highlights the winter term schedule of the International Film Series at Oregon State University.

Two films stand out. "Antonia's Line," a tale of five generations of independent Dutch women, is the winner of the 1996 Academy Award for Best Foreign Film. It will be shown Jan. 23-24.

"The Ice Storm" stars Kevin Kline and Sigourney Weaver in Ang Lee's tale of a family in 1973 coming to grips with a changing culture. It has been at the top of most critics' list of best films of 1997.

Also on tap are a pair of films from Cuba about revolution, a crime thriller from Australia, a coming-out story from Great Britain, an irreverent swashbuckler from France, a tale of teen angst from the U.S., and a lively look at urban decay and corruption in Vietnam.

The 20th annual International Film Series is sponsored by OSU's Center for the Humanities and the Department of English. All films in the series are shown at Gilfillan Auditorium in Wilkinson Hall for $3.

The complete schedule follows:

Jan. 9-10

"Guantanamera," by Tomas Gutierrez Alea (Cuba, 1997) - The final film from one of Cuba's most gifted directors, "Guantanamera" continues his depiction of his country balancing revolutionary zeal with critical looks at poverty, crumbling infrastructure, sexism and bureaucracy. Friday and Saturday, 7 and 9 p.m.

Jan. 16-17

"Beaumarchais," by Edouard Molinaro (France, 1997) - A flamboyant, swashbuckling look at one of the late 18th century's more colorful characters from the director of "La Cage aux Folles." This irreverent film mixes life with theater, popular culture with social change. Friday and Saturday, 7 and 9 p.m.

Jan. 23-24

"Antonia's Line," by Marleen Gross (Holland, 1996) - Winner of an Academy Award for Best Foreign Film, this is a revisionist, feminist history of five generations of independent Dutch women. The film opens with Antonia returning to her war-torn village and follows a succession of daughters. Friday and Saturday, 7 and 9 p.m.

Jan. 30-31

"Welcome to the Dollhouse," by Todd Solondz (U.S.A., 1996) - A succession of vignettes about the agony of adolescence in America, it follows the experiences of the unfortunately named Dawn Wiener, an 11-year-old taunted by classmates and mired in a home life with a computer-nerd brother and a "perfect" little sister. Friday and Saturday, 7 and 9 p.m.

Feb. 6-7

"Cemetery Man," by Michele Soavi (Italy, 1996) - A humorous, macabre look at the Buffalora Cemetery, where the dead have a habit of coming back to life. The title character is played by Rupert Everett ("My Best Friend's Wedding") in this offbeat film, destined for cult classic status. Friday and Saturday, 7 and 9 p.m.

Feb. 13-14

"Kiss or Kill," by Bill Bennett (Australia, 1997) - In this taut and treacherous thriller, a couple perfects a scam to fleece businessmen in a bar. But the scam turns sour and they soon are implicated in one, and then a series of murders. While on the lam, they even begin to suspect each other of the hideous crimes. Friday and Saturday, 7 and 9 p.m.

Feb. 20-21

"Beautiful Thing," by Hettie MacDonald (Great Britain, 1996) - A teen coming-out story about Jamie, an alienated high school boy who lives in the tacky precincts of a London housing project, and a neighbor boy who is abused by his father. Friday and Saturday, 7 and 9 p.m.

Feb. 27-28

"Cyclo," by Tran Anh Hung (France-Vietnam, 1997) - A hard, driving look at the teeming streets and "urban inferno" of Ho Chi Minh City by the director of "The Scent of Green Papaya." The story centers on a teen bicycle taxi driver and his sister, who both get caught up in different kinds of corruption. Friday and Saturday, 7 and 9:30 p.m.

March 6-7

"The Ice Storm," by Ang Lee (U.S.A., 1997) - One of the most highly regarded films of the past year, "Ice Storm" looks at the life of an apparent All-American family in 1973 and the confusion, numbness, and difficulties they all face in the wake of a changing culture. Strong performances from Kevin Kline and Sigourney Weaver. Friday and Saturday, 7 and 9 p.m.

March 13-14

"Lucia," by Humberto Solas (Cuba, 1969) - A film crafted in three parts to show three separate periods in the Cuban struggle for independence. From 1895 to the 1960s, three difference Lucias are the focal point of the film as it looks at a changing Cuba. (Friday and Saturday, 7 and 9 p.m.)

 

Source: 

Wendy Madar, 541-737-2450

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