About CPL
Press Release
January 23, 2013
Leland Elder
lbelder@chipublib.org
(312) 747-4053
Ruth Lednicer
lednicer@chipublib.org
(312) 747-4907
GLOBAL LENS 2012: INTERNATIONAL FILM SERIES CONTINUES AT CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY IN FEBRUARY AND MARCH
The Chicago Public Library continues the free Global Lens 2012 International Film Series into March, at several branch locations. The Global Lens Film Series, presented in partnership with the Global Film Initiative, is an annual, curated program of narrative, award-winning feature films from numerous foreign countries including Albania, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Iran, Iraq, Morocco, Rwanda and Turkey. The films featured in the series are selected for their authentic voice, strong cinematics and unique cultural perspective, opening a window to our diverse global population. For more information about the Global Lens Film Series and the Global Film Initiative, visit globalfilm.org.
Global Lens Film Series at CPL:
Monday, February 4 at 6 p.m.
Dunning Branch
7455 W. Cornelia Avenue
Qarantina, dir. Oday Rasheed, Iraq, 2010
A sullen assassin, living above a dysfunctional family in Baghdad, captures the attention of the household’s unhappy mother, setting a dangerous stage for confrontation with the family’s lecherous father. (Arabic with English subtitles)
Thursday, February 7 at 6 p.m.
West Town Branch
1625 W. Chicago Avenue
Stolen Life (Sheng Si Jie), dir. Li Shaohong, China, 2005
A young girl is taken to live with her aunt and grandmother in Beijing. As an adolescent, she is withdrawn and reclusive, beliving that she has been abandoned by her parents. Growing up with her hostile “new family” compounds her depression until she is accepted into college and prepares to begin her new life. (Mandarin with English subtitles)
Saturday, February 9 at 2 p.m.
Bucktown-Wicker Park Branch
1701 N. Milwaukee Avenue
Fat, Bald, Short Man (Gordo, Calvo y Bajito), dir. Carlos Osuna, Colombia, 2011
The prospects for a lonely middle-aged notary unexpectedly change after he joins a self-improvement group and his charismatic new boss—and strangely affable doppelganger—takes an interest in his life. (Spanish with English subtitles)
Wednesday, February 13 at 6 p.m.
Bezazian Branch
1226 W. Ainslie Street
Grey Matter (Matiére Grise), dir. Kivu Ruhorahoza, Rwanda, 2011
After government officials decline to support his project, a determined filmmaker enlists the support of a loan shark to finance his trenchant drama about the aftermath and impact of genocide on a brother and sister. (Kinyarwanda and French with English subtitles)
Thursday, February 14 at 6 p.m.
Lincoln Belmont Branch
1659 W. Melrose St.
Craft (Riscado), dir. Gustavo Pizzi, Brazil, 2010
A struggling actress and celebrity impersonator lands an audition and what may be her “big break” after an inspired director recasts his film around her socially marginalized life as an underrated artist in Rio. (Portuguese and French with English subtitles)
Saturday, February 16 at 2 p.m.
Bezazian Branch
1226 W. Ainslie Street
Toll Booth (Gise Memuru), dir. Tolga Karaçelik, Turkey, 2010
An aging toll booth attendant, straining under the weight of a domineering father and suffocating work routine, finally begins to crack when faced with the emotional pressure of an unexpected romance. (Turkish, with English subtitles)
Wednesday, February 20 at 6 p.m.
Manning Branch
6 S. Hoyne Avenue
Mourning (Soog), dir. Morteza Farshbaf, Iran, 2011
In the wake of his parents’ disappearance, a young boy is placed in the care of his deaf aunt and uncle who, during a road trip to Tehran, engage in a silent but apparently not-so-secret debate about the child’s future. (Farsi with English subtitles)
Saturday, February 23 at 2 p.m.
Bezazian Branch
1226 W. Ainslie Street
Stolen Life (Sheng Si Jie), dir. Li Shaohong, China, 2005
A young girl is taken to live with her aunt and grandmother in Beijing. As an adolescent, she is withdrawn and reclusive, beliving that she has been abandoned by her parents. Growing up with her hostile “new family” compounds her depression until she is accepted into college and prepares to begin her new life. (Mandarin with English subtitles)
Saturday, March 9 at 2 p.m.
Bucktown-Wicker Park Branch
1701 N. Milwaukee Avenue
Toll Booth (Gise Memuru), dir. Tolga Karaçelik, Turkey, 2010
An aging toll booth attendant, straining under the weight of a domineering father and suffocating work routine, finally begins to crack when faced with the emotional pressure of an unexpected romance. (Turkish, with English subtitles)
The Chicago Public Library continues to encourage lifelong learning by welcoming all people and offering equal access to information, entertainment and knowledge through materials, programs and cutting-edge technology. Through its 79 locations, the Library provides free access to a rich collection of materials, both physical and digital, and presents the highest quality author discussions, exhibits and programs for children, teens and adults. For more information, visit chicagopubliclibrary.org, or call (312) 747-4050.