The NDSU Department of Modern Languages is set to host a film festival titled “Spanish Film Club by Pragda: Celebrating the New Wave of Ibero American Cinema,” scheduled to run from Jan. 26 to Feb. 23.A total of five films will be shown during the festival.
The festival is open to the public. Admission is free. All films will be shown at 7 p.m. in Minard Hall, room 230.
The festival is presented in collaboration with NDSU’s College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; the Office of Multicultural Programs; the students of Spanish courses 332, 402 and 441; International Studies; Hispanic Organization of Latin Americans; and NDSU’s Office of Internal Student and Study Abroad Services.
“Modern languages, in partnership with our sponsors and collaborators, is delighted to host this Spanish-language film festival, which includes films that highlight a variety of genres and Spanish-speaking countries,” said Gwen Stickney, department chair and associate professor of Spanish. “We aim to promote awareness of the richness of Hispanic culture and linguistic diversity as well as the quality of foreign films. We hope to see you at the movies.”
The films are:
• "Chinese Take-away (Un cuento chino),” Jan. 26
Spanish and Mandarin with English subtitles
A gruff, anti-social hardware shop owner has a chance encounter with a Chinese man who has arrived in Argentina looking for his only living relative. The shop owner takes him in, and their unusual cohabitation helps the Argentinean end his loneliness.
Presenter: Tracy Barrett, associate professor of history, philosophy and religious studies
• “7 Boxes (7 Cajas),” Feb. 2
Spanish, Guaraní and Korean with English subtitles.
In Paraguay, a 17-year-old delivery boy dreams of owning a TV set. He’s offered a chance to deliver seven boxes with unknown contents in exchange for $100. What sounds like an easy job becomes complicated.
• “Chico and Rita,” Feb. 9
English and Spanish with English subtitles.
Chico is a dashing piano player, and Rita is an enchanting Havana nightclub singer. An epic romance unfolds as they travel the stages of 1940s and 1950s in Havana, New York City, Las Vegas, Hollywood and Paris.
Presenter: Bill Law, director of development, Division of Performing Arts, and executive director of Bison Arts.
• “True Smile (La sonrisa verdadera)” Feb. 16
Spanish with English subtitles.
This heart-warming story follows the extraordinary 1,300-kilometer journey that Sergio, a blind autistic young man, undertakes with his brother.
Presenter: Chloé Smith, international studies student.
• “Even the Rain (También la lluvia), Feb. 23
Spanish with English subtitles.
A filmmaker and his cynical producer arrive in Bolivia, to make a film about Columbus’ voyage to the New World and the subjugation of the indigenous population. As filming begins, the government privatizes the water company and prices skyrocket. Daily protests erupt, and the man cast as a rebellious 16th century Taino chief becomes a leader in the protests.
The Spanish Film Club series was made possible with the support of Pragda, SPAIN arts and culture and the Secretary of State for Culture of Spain.
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