FESTIVALS

Rebecca Richards

Belmont World Film

CELEBRATES FIVE YEARS OF INTERNATIONAL FILMS FAMILY

FESTIVAL MARCH 11 AND 12 AND “EXTRAORDINARY JOURNEYS" SERIES MARCH 19 THROUGH MAY 8

Belmont World Film’s fourth annual Family Festival the weekend of March 11 and 12 will feature award-winning animation and a rare theatrical screening of the animated family classic, THE POINT, with story and music by famed singer-songwriter, Harry Nilsson. This year’s eclectic line-up also includes a variety of animated feature films and shorts, Japanese Anime, and live action films, including the Boston-area premiere of THE MAN WHO WALKED BETWEEN THE TWO TOWERS, based on the Caldecott Medal-winning book by Mordicai Gerstein and directed by pioneering animator Michael Sporn with narration by Oscar Nominee Jake Gyllenhall.

A scene from the animated version of award-winning children's author/illustrator Lois Ehlert's PLANTING A RAINBOW of Belmont World Film's Family Festival at 10:30 AM on Saturday, March 11, at the Studio Cinema in Belmont.

 

Another highlight will be ISH, by local author/illustrator Peter Reynolds and co-produced by Watertown-based FableVision, Reynolds’ children’s media company. Other stand-outs include PLANTING A RAINBOW by Lois Ehlert, ROBERTO THE INSECT ARCHITECT, and LINNEA IN MONET’S GARDEN. Tickets to all screenings are $3.00. Visit belmontworldfilm.org for more info and a full schedule of family films and times. 

Peter, known in his heyday as the Liberace of Baghdad, observes the destruction wrought after the fall of Saddam Hussein, in a scene from LIBERACE OF BAGHDAD, which won a Special Jury Prize for best documentary at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival. Belmont World Film presents the New England premiere at 7:00 PM on Monday, April 10, at the Studio Cinema in Belmont.

In celebration of its fifth annual spring series of exceptional international feature films, shorts, and documentaries, Belmont World Film presents Extraordinary Journeys, seven weeks of screenings featuring nine feature and documentary films, most of them New England premieres. Each of the films in this year’s adult series takes viewers on journeys not only psychological and emotional, but also across some of the most remarkable landscapes in the world. Films are generally followed by a discussion with expert speakers or a cultural experience, such as music, dance or food from the country represented.

The series opens Sunday, March 19, with the Thai film THE OVERTURE continues with A STATE OF MIND (UK, doc) March 20; IN CASABLANCA ANGELS DON’T FLY (Morocco/Italy) March 26; MOON OF AVELLANEDA (Argentina) April 2; KILOMETRE ZERO (Iraq/France/Finland) April 9; LIBERACE OF BAGHDAD, ( United Kingdom, documentary -New England premiere) April 10; AALTRA (Belgium-New England premiere) April 23; WINDHORSE (USA/Tibet) April 30;  and concludes with the award-winning French/Moroccan LE GRAND VOYAGE on Monday, May 8. “This year’s series reflects the journey Belmont World Film has taken in the last five years,” says Naomi Ellenberg-Dukas, Belmont World Film founder and executive director. “Beginning with just four feature films in the spring of 2002, we have gradually expanded to an innovative annual family festival, a documentary weekend, a fall series, and other special events throughout the year.  Many of the films we show are not only New England premieres, but also international films that draw attention to and deepen our understanding of the lives and situations of others around the world. We have developed a devoted following that keeps this series running, and we continue to attract new audience members by offering carefully chosen international films.”

Left: Linnea and her friend Mr. Bloom set off to both Paris and Monet's garden in Giverny where they discover the real places which serve as inspiration for their favorite Monet paintings in LINNEA IN MONET'S GARDEN, which screens at 12:30 PM on Sunday, March 12, at Belmont World Film's Family Festival at the Studio Cinema.

Right: Legendary musician Harry Nilsson's animated family classic THE POINT gets a rare theatrical screening on Sunday, March 12, at 4:00 and 7:00 PM at the Studio Cinema during Belmont World Film's Fourth Annual Family Festival.

Belmont World Film presents award-winning feature films, documentaries, animation, and shorts from around the world, paired with topical speakers. It aims to bring together people of all ages, foster appreciation of the world's diversity and stimulate discussion through the powerful universal language of film.

Said comforts his wife Aicha who has just given birth in a scene from IN CASABLANCA ANGELS DON'T FLY, which will have its New England premiere at Belmont World Film at 7:00 PM on Sunday, March 26, at the Studio Cinema in Belmont.

Tickets for the Foreign Film Series are $8 each, $7 for seniors and students. To reserve tickets by phone or for more information for both the Family Festival and the Foreign Series call 617-484-3980. Belmont World Film is grateful to Studio Cinema owner Jim Bramante, who has assisted BWF since its inception and the law firm of Goodwin Procter LLP for their support of the series.

To find out more about the series visit  www.belmontworldfilm.org

Rebecca Richards is the former executive director of Women in Film and Video/New England and co-founder of Belmont World Film. She writes frequently about film and the arts. She teaches at Boston University.