Cochise College kicks off its annual International Film Series this month and will feature thought-provoking documentaries and dramas, each presented at three locations and free to attend.
The college’s art department has put on the International Film Series for at least the last 30 years and will partner with Central School Project in Bisbee for this series. Five films will be presented during the course of the academic year in Sierra Vista, Douglas and Bisbee.
Cochise College art instructor Monte Surratt has been at the helm of the film series project since 1989 and chooses the films presented each year. Often, he picks films that he hasn’t seen before, but strike him as particularly interesting and relate to current events.
“I like to choose at least some that are foreign language and explore different cultures,” he said. “I think it’s important for us to reach out and explore other cultures. The International Film Series is about different cultures and languages. It’s good for us to not be totally isolated.”
Films in Sierra Vista are presented at the Cochise College campus in room 900. In Douglas, they will be at the Little Theater of the Cochise College Campus. In Bisbee, films will be at the Central School building. Central School Project is a nonprofit arts and cultural center with a three-fold mission of providing affordable creative space to working artists, preserving and adapting the historic Central School building as a cultural center, and fostering appreciation of the arts in the Bisbee Community.
All films begin at 7 p.m.
“Forks Over Knives” 2011 documentary feature. Rated PG. 90 minutes.
• Nov. 16 in Sierra Vista, Cochise College room 900, 7 p.m.
• Nov. 17 in Douglas, Cochise College Little Theatre, 7 p.m.
• Nov. 18 in Bisbee, Central School Project, 7 p.m.
Synopsis: Despite the most advanced medical technology in the world, we are sicker than ever by nearly every measure. Cases of diabetes are exploding, especially amongst our younger population. About half of us are taking at least one prescription drug, and major medical operations have become routine. Heart disease, cancer and stroke are the country’s leading causes of death, even though billions of dollars are spent each year to “battle” these very conditions. Is there a single solution to all of these problems? This film examines the profound claim that most, if not all, of the degenerative diseases that afflict us can be controlled, or even reversed, by rejecting animal-based and processed foods.
“Mondays in the Sun” / “Los Lunes al Sol” 2002 drama. Rated R. 113 minutes.
• Jan. 11 in Sierra Vista, Cochise College room 900, 7 p.m.
• Jan. 12 in Douglas, Cochise College Little Theatre, 7 p.m.
• Jan. 13 in Bisbee, Central School Project, 7 p.m.
Synopsis: 2001: men without jobs in the port city of Vigo. Six men worked in a shipyard, now shuttered. They pass the time at La Naval, a bar opened by one of them after the yard closed. They face their futures in makeshift ways: Rico has his bar and a sharp 15-year-old daughter, Reina has become a watchman and a moralizer, Lino fills out job applications, Amador drinks heavily and talks of his wife’s return; José is married to Ana, who works at a cannery and tires of being the breadwinner amidst José’s emasculated moodiness; Santa, the group’s conscience and troublemaker, occasionally fantasizes about Australia. In truth, all are joined like Siamese twins, adrift.
“Maybe God is Ill” 2010 documentary feature. Not rated. 88 minutes.
• Feb. 8 in Sierra Vista, Cochise College room 900, 7 p.m.
• Feb. 9 in Douglas, Cochise College Little Theatre, 7 p.m.
• Feb. 10 in Bisbee, Central School Project, 7 p.m.
Synopsis: Award winning writer Walter Veltroni takes us on a stirring, unforgettable journey across the vast continent of Africa to witness controversial stories of tragedy, turmoil and hope. Everyone knows Africa is going through a very difficult transition, but who really understands the depths of the wars, hunger and diseases that make up its everyday catastrophes? Are these problems close to being resolved or are they just the beginning of a spiraling pandemic of worldwide crises? Find out as Veltroni takes us on a very personal tour and never-before-seen look at the people of Mozambique, Angola, Senegal, Cameroon, Uganda and South Africa.
“Cave of Forgotten Dreams” 2011 documentary feature. Not rated. 90 minutes.
• March 21 in Sierra Vista, Cochise College room 900, 7 p.m.
• March 22 in Douglas, Cochise College Little Theatre, 7 p.m.
• March 23 in Bisbee, Central School Project, 7 p.m.
Synopsis: This film is a breathtaking new documentary from the incomparable Werner Herzog. It follows an exclusive expedition into the nearly inaccessible Chauvet Cave in France, home to the most ancient visual art known to have been created by man. This unforgettable cinematic experience provides a unique glimpse of pristine artwork dating back to human hands more than 30,000 years ago — almost twice as old as any previous discovery.
“The Golden Door (Njovomondo)” (subtitled) 2006 drama. Rated PG-13. 118 minutes.
• May 2 in Sierra Vista, Cochise College room 900, 7 p.m.
• May 3 in Douglas, Cochise College Little Theatre, 7 p.m.
• May 4 in Bisbee, Central School Project, 7 p.m.
Synopsis: The story is set at the beginning of the 20th century in Sicily. Salvatore, a poor farmer and widower, decides to emigrate to the U.S. with his family, including his old mother. Before they embark, they meet Lucy, who, for unknown reasons, wants to marry someone before to arrive to Ellis Island in New York. Salvatore accepts the proposal. Once they arrive in Ellis Island, they spend the quarantine period trying to pass the examinations to be admitted to the states. Tests are not so simple for poor farmers coming from Sicily. Their destiny is in the hands of the custom officers.