FREE SCREENINGS FOR HIGH SCHOOL CLASSES
In the Northwest Film Center’s Whitsell Auditorium, inside the Portland Art Museum
The Northwest Film Center School of Film’s Global Classroom Program brings the best in new world cinema to high school students through free screenings during the Portland International Film Festival and throughout the school year. Screenings take place in the Film Center’s Whitsell Auditorium, inside the Portland Art Museum.
Preview DVDs are available on request for selected films. Check back for study guide information, movie trailers, and other information as it becomes available.
Sonita (Iran, 2015)
Wednesday, February 24 at 10:00am *space available
Friday, February 26 at 12:30pm *space available
In Afghani, English, and Farsi with English subtitles
Themes: Global Studies, Women’s Rights, Music, Activism, Women in the Middle East, Biography, Human Rights, Struggle and Perseverance, Power of the Arts
Director: Rokhsareh Ghaem Maghami
Documentary - 90 minutes
Winner of two World Cinema Documentary Awards at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival! Sonita is an 18-year-old female who lives in the poor suburbs of Tehran with her older sister where she dreams of becoming a worldwide rap sensation. Despite the obstacles she confronts in Iran, as a poor and undocumented Afghani illegal immigrant, and the pressure from conservative patriarchal family back in Afghanistan, Sonita remains a feisty and spirited young woman. Everyday she fights to live the way she wants, as an artist, singer, and musician. In harsh contrast to her goal is the plan of her family – strongly advanced by her mother – to make her a bride and sell her to a new family for the price of $9,000 USD. In an unconventional moment, the director of the documentary, an Arab woman herself, must make a decision on whether or not to intervene. SONITA was the winner of the Audience Award at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam in November 2015.
Landfill Harmonic (Paraguay, 2015)
Monday, February 22 at 12:30pm *space available
Tuesday, February 23 at 10:00am *full
Wednesday, February 24 at 12:30pm *full
In Spanish with English subtitles
Themes: Music, Youth Empowerment, Poverty, Power of the Arts, Spanish-Language, South America, Resourcefulness.
Director: Graha Townsley & Brad Alleged
Documentary - 95 minutes
LANDFILL HARMONIC follows the Recycled Orchestra of Cateura, a Paraguayan youth music group that lives next to one of South America’s largest landfills. When one of the local garbage pickers named Cola, an untutored genius, gets together with local musician Favio Chávez, they begin to make instruments for the children of the slum. With no money for real instruments they use the resources in front of them and make instruments from trash – violins and cellos from oil drums, flutes from water pipes and spoons, guitars from packing crates – and form an orchestra. When their story goes viral, the orchestra is catapulted into the global spotlight. With the guidance of their music director, they must navigate this new world of arenas and sold out concerts. However, when a natural disaster devastates their community, the orchestra provides a source of hope for the town. The film is a testament to the transformative power of music and the resilience of the human spirit.
April and the Extraordinary World (France, 2015)
Monday, February 22 at 10:00am *space available
Thursday, February 25 at 10:00am *full
Friday, February 26 at 10:00am *full
In French with English subtitles
Themes: Global Studies, Science & Technology, Science-Fiction, French-language, Animation, Fine Arts, Graphic Novels, Socio-Politics.
Director: Franck Ekinci & Christian Desmares
Narrative, Animation - 105 minutes
Set in an alternative Paris of 1941, that is a smog-filled and steam-powered Napoleonic empire, a family of scientists is on the brink of discovering a powerful longevity serum. When the parents are suddenly abducted by a mysterious force, their young daughter April is left behind. Ten years later, April (voiced by Academy Award nominee Marion Cotillard) lives alone with her dear cat, Darwin, and carries on her family’s research in secret. But she soon finds herself at the center of a shadowy and far-reaching conspiracy, and on the run from government agents, bicycle-powered dirigibles and cyborg rat spies. Undaunted, she continues her quest to find her parents and discover the truth behind their disappearance.
Fatima (France, 2014)
Thursday, February 25 at 12:30pm *space available
In French and Arabic with English subtitles
Themes: Mother-Daughter Relationship, Family Relations, Empowerment, Immigration, Social Struggles, French Educational System, French-Language
Director: Philippe Faucon
Narrative - 79 minutes
FATIMA is a tender portrait of a devoted Moroccan single mother living in France. With two daughters to support—15-year old Souad, a teenager in revolt, and 18-year old Nesrine, who is starting medical school—Fatima works odd hours as a cleaning woman in order to ensure the best possible future for them. While Fatima speaks French poorly and is constantly frustrated by her daily interactions with her daughters they remain her pride and joy. After Fatima is injured in a fall at work, she begins to write letters in Arabic to her daughters to express things she has never been able to express in French.
For more information or questions contact Mia Ferm, mia@nwfilm.org / 503-221-1156 x25
To take advantage of this exciting opportunity for your students, please CLICK HERE to download our reservation form. Once received, we will email back a preview link and educational materials (if available). You can also contact us via email or phone (503-221-1156 x25) with any questions.
See previous Global Classroom offerings
Visiting the Whitsell Auditorium
Enter through the Hoffman Entrance of the Portland Art Museum, which faces North into the sculpture courtyard. All visitors must leave bags, backpacks, and wet umbrellas with the coat check at the door. No food or drink are allowed in the Auditorium. The Whitsell Auditorium is wheelchair accessible.
For more information
Contact info@nwfilm.org or 503-221-1156.
Contributors
ANNE E. BERNI FOUNDATION
