By SARA GIBONEY
UNK Communications
KEARNEY – UNK@TheWorld, a collaboration between the University of Nebraska at Kearney and The World Theatre, will feature three international films over the next three months.
“As a fan of international film, I thought it would be awesome to create a space for people to see films that were well reviewed and critically acclaimed,” said Michelle Warren, assistant professor of Spanish. “Here in Kearney, we have this gorgeous renovated World Theatre, and that seemed like the perfect pairing.”
The first film, “The Motorcycle Diaries,” begins at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 4. Released in 2004, “The Motorcycle Diaries” tells the story of Che Guevara’s motorcycle road trip that reveals his life’s calling.
“Persepolis” will be shown at 7:30 p.m. on March 4. The 2007 French animated film is based on Marjane Satrapi’s autobiographical graphic novel of the same name. The story follows a precocious and outspoken young Iranian girl during the Iranian Revolution of 1979.
“Slumdog Millionaire” will be shown at 7:30 p.m. on April 4-5 and 2 p.m. on April 6. Slumdog Millionaire, the winner of eight Academy Awards and four Golden Globes, tells the story of a Mumbai teen who becomes a contestant on the Indian version of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” He is arrested under suspicion of cheating, and while being interrogated, events from his life history are shown.
Warren asked faculty members to suggest films that would enhance curriculum, highlight faculty research or films that were tied to current events.
“I thought the film series would be a nice bridge for the community and the university,” Warren said. “It’s an event that encourages mingling of both populations.”
Films chosen will highlight India, Iran and Latin America, and will be in three different languages: English, Spanish and French.
“When you watch international film, you see things from a perspective that’s different from what we’re accustomed to from Hollywood,” Warren said. “We get this bird’s eye view into the culture that we’re seeing.”
After each film, a small group of UNK staff or faculty and community members will answer questions about the film. Each group will have a special connection to the topic or geographical location of each film.
“When people are exposed to these kinds of slices of life that they haven’t seen or thought of before, a lot of questions arise about the context, about the characters, about the historical issues that are at play, about the politics.”
The film series is sponsored by the Department of Modern Languages, International Studies Program, Dean of Fine Arts and Humanities, Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs and Department of Political Science.
UNK@TheWorld Spring Schedule
The Motorcycle Diaries – Tuesday, Feb. 4, 7:30 p.m. – Released in 2004, the Motorcycle Diaries tells the story of Che Guevara’s motorcycle road trip that revealed his life’s calling. The film won an Academy Award for its original song, “Al Otro Lado Del Rio,” and was nominated for best writing for an adapted screenplay in 2005. The film was also nominated for a Golden Globe for best foreign language film. The Motorcycle Diaries won best cinematography and best debut performance by Rodrigo De la Serna at the Independent Spirit Awards in 2005.
Persepolis – Tuesday, March 4, 7:30 p.m. – The 2007 French animated film is based on Marjane Satrapi’s autobiographical graphic novel of the same name. The story follows a precocious and outspoken young Iranian girl during the Iranian Revolution of 1979. Persepolis was nominated for an Academy Award for best animated feature film and a Golden Globe for best foreign language film in 2008. The film won the jury prize at the Cannes Film Festival in 2007, and was nominated for best foreign film at the Independent Spirit Awards in 2008.
Slumdog Millionaire – Friday and Saturday, April 4-5, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, April 6, 2 p.m. – Slumdog Millionaire, the winner of eight Academy Awards and four Golden Globes in 2009, tells the story of a Mumbai teen that becomes a contestant on the Indian version of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” He is arrested under suspicion of cheating, and while being interrogated, events from his life history are shown. The film was released in 2008.
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Source: Michelle Warren, 308.865.8475, warrenm2@unk.edu
Writer: Sara Giboney, 308.865.8529, giboneys2@unk.edu
