2018 World Cinema Festival Promotes Intercultural Appreciation

January 25, 2018 (Notre Dame, Ind.) — Saint Mary’s College will hold its annual World Cinema Festival Monday, February 26 through Thursday, March 1. This event is hosted by the College’s Center for Women’s Intercultural Leadership (CWIL). The festival will feature four international films over the course of the week. All showings will be at 7 p.m. in the Vander Vennet Theatre in the Student Center. Click for a campus map. Admission is free of charge and the event is open to the public.

“Saint Mary’s World Cinema Festival continues to support the ongoing internationalization of the curriculum and the College community. In addition, the festival brings to light the rich cinematic body of work that is being produced outside of the United States,” said Mana Derakhshani, director of CWIL. “Saint Mary’s strives to showcase films directed by women or films discussing important social issues. We hope the Michiana community will appreciate the variety and quality of this year’s festival offerings,” she added.

World Cinema Festival –  February 26 to March 1, 2018
All films will be in the original language with English subtitles.

Monday, February 26
A Man Called Ove
Ove, an ill-tempered, isolated retiree who spends his days enforcing block association rules and visiting his wife's grave, has finally given up on life just as an unlikely friendship develops with his boisterous new neighbors. (PG-13), Sweden, 2015

Tuesday, February 27
Sweet Bean
The manager of a pancake stall finds himself confronted with an odd but sympathetic elderly woman looking for work. A taste of her homemade bean paste convinces him to hire her, which starts a relationship that is about much more than just street food. (NR), Japan, 2015

Wednesday, February 28
Guten Tag, Ramón
The film tells the heartwarming story of a young man from a small Mexican town who travels to Germany to find work to support his family and becomes stranded without shelter or money. He struggles to survive on the streets until he meets Ruth, a lonely senior citizen with whom he develops an astonishing and touching friendship that transcends borders and prejudices. (PG-13), Mexico, 2015

Thursday, March 1
The First Grader
The film is a heartwarming and inspiring true story of one man’s fight for what he believes is his right in order to overcome the burdens of his past. It is a triumphant testimony to the transforming force of education. (PG-13), Kenya, 2010