Fri 10 Feb, 1:55pm Fri 10 Feb, 4:25pm Fri 10 Feb, 7:00pm Fri 10 Feb, 9:35pm Sat 11 Feb, 1:55pm Sat 11 Feb, 4:25pm Sat 11 Feb, 7:00pm Sat 11 Feb, 9:35pm Sun 12 Feb, 1:55pm Sun 12 Feb, 4:25pm Sun 12 Feb, 7:00pm Sun 12 Feb, 9:35pm Mon 13 Feb, 4:20pm Mon 13 Feb, 7:00pm Mon 13 Feb, 9:35pm Tue 14 Feb, 4:20pm Tue 14 Feb, 7:00pm Tue 14 Feb, 9:35pm Wed 15 Feb, 4:20pm Wed 15 Feb, 7:00pm Wed 15 Feb, 9:35pm Thu 16 Feb, 7:00pm Thu 16 Feb, 9:35pm

Separation

directed by Asghar Farhadi starring Peyman Moaadi, Leila Hatami and Sareh Bayat in Persian, English (2011)

Set in contemporary Iran, A Separation is a compelling drama about the dissolution of a marriage. Simin wants to leave Iran with her husband Nader and their daughter but when he refuses to leave his ailing father she sues for divorce. Her request denied, Simin returns to her parents’ home and Nader hires a young woman to assist with his father’s care. However, when he discovers that the new maid has been lying to him, he realizes that there is more on the line than just his marriage.

DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT
I think A Separation is a detective story without any detectives. The audience is the one in charge of solving the puzzles; there will be as many answers as audiences. The film raises questions instead of imposing ideas and answers; everyone will focus on the most relevant point according to their own character and emotions. I feel like the time where directors were superior to their public, acting like an advisor or a messenger is past. At the same time, as viewers tend to be less passive and more involved in the story, they choose the angle from which they look at the film. That’s why I let the audience be the film detective. – Asghar Farhadi

Fri 10 Feb, 4:15pm Fri 10 Feb, 9:30pm Sun 12 Feb, 7:40pm

Tree of Life

directed by Terrence Malick (2011)

Terrence Malick’s ambitious ode to life, love, and loss attempts to address life’s Big Questions, tying childhood memories of 1950s Texas to none other than the birth of the universe. The heavy subject matter seems almost weightless, thanks to the soaring cinematography. Nominated for Best Picture, Director, and Cinematography.

Fri 10 Feb, 7:00pm Sat 11 Feb, 2:00pm Sun 12 Feb, 5:00pm Mon 20 Feb, 7:00pm Tue 21 Feb, 7:00pm Wed 22 Feb, 7:00pm

2012 Academy Award Documentary Short Subject Program

directed by Varies (2011)

See four of the 2012 contenders for the Academy Award for best Documentary Short Subject film. Films Include:

• The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom – 39 minutes – Japan/USA – Lucy Walker
  Survivors in the areas hardest hit by Japan’s recent tsunami find the courage to revive and rebuild as cherry blossom season begins.
• Incident in New Baghdad – 25 minutes – USA – James Spione
  One of the most notorious incidents of the Iraq War – the July 2007 slayings of two Reuters journalists and a number of other unarmed civilians by US attack helicopters
• Saving Face – 40 minutes – Pakistan/USA – Daniel Junge, Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy
  Every year hundreds of people — mostly women — are attacked with acid in Pakistan.
• The Barber of Birmingham: Foot Soldier of the Civil Rights Movement – 25 minutes – USA – Gail Dolgin and Robin Fryday
  Mr. James Armstrong is a barber, a “foot soldier” and a dreamer whose barbershop in Birmingham, Alabama has been a hub for haircuts and civil rights since 1955.

Fri 10 Feb, midnight Thu 16 Feb, 9:45pm

Drive

directed by Nicolas Winding Refn (2011)

Only nominated for Sound Editing, but come on – Ryan Gosling’s steely performance, Albert Brooks’ atypical villain, and Nicolas Winding Refn’s gliding direction were all worthy contenders overlooked by The Academy this year. The story is pure pulp: A mysterious Hollywood stuntman, mechanic and getaway driver lands himself in trouble when he helps out his neighbour. The execution is anything but.

Fri 10 Feb, midnight Sat 11 Feb, midnight Tue 14 Feb, 4:45pm

Bridesmaids

directed by Paul Feig (2011)

Named her best friend’s maid of honor, down-on-her-luck Annie’s (Kristen Wiig) competition with a fellow bridesmaid, the wealthy and beautiful Helen, threatens to destroy the wedding. Melissa McCarthy’s show-stopping performance was nominated for Best Supporting Actress, while Kristen Wiig got a nod for Best Original Screenplay.

Sat 11 Feb, 5:00pm Mon 13 Feb, 5:00pm Wed 15 Feb, 9:40pm

Better Life

directed by Chris Weitz (2011)

Demián Bichir’s nomination for Best Actor was a surprise inclusion for many, but not for those who saw this performance! Bichir plays Carlos, a Mexican immigrant gardener in East LA struggling to earn a living and attempting to keep his son away from gangs. When the truck that provides Carlos with his livelihood is stolen, Carlos and his son venture to retrieve the vehicle.

Mon 13 Feb, 9:40pm Wed 15 Feb, 4:30pm

Bullhead

directed by Michael R. Roskam (2011)

Perhaps the year’s most stunning international debut, Michael R. Roskam’s BULLHEAD is a harrowing tale of revenge, redemption and fate. Domineering cattle farmer Jacky Vanmarsenille, constantly pumped on steroids and hormones, initiates a shady deal with a notorious mafioso meat trader. When an investigating federal agent is assassinated and a woman from his traumatic past resurfaces, Jacky must confront his demons and face the far-reaching consequences of his decisions.

Thu 16 Feb, 7:30pm

Secret Screening at the Music Box Theatre

(2011)