This spring, as part of the Global Studies degree program's Global Oscars Come to Berks, Penn State Berks will present four films nominated for the 2014 Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards: "The Hunt" on Thursday, Jan. 29; "The Missing Picture" on Thursday, Feb. 26; "The Great Beauty" on Thursday, March 26; and "Omar," on Thursday, April 23. All films are free and open to the public, and will be show at 6 p.m. in Room 121 of the Gaige Technology and Business Innovation Building.
"The Hunt" is a 2012 Danish film about the devastating effects that false accusations of child molestation play out in the life of an innocent kindergarten teacher. The story is set in a small town in Denmark and follows a man who is ostracized by his community and whose personal relationships suffer as a result of the false accusations.
"The Missing Picture," a 2013 Cambodian-French drama, recreates a dark period in Cambodia’s history, depicting the brutality unleashed by Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge following the Kampuchean Revolution in 1975. Clay figurines are used to represent the many Cambodians whose lives were destroyed. Documentary footage is also included to show what happened in Cambodia when Pol Pot came to power.
"The Great Beauty" is a 2013 Italian film, which tells the story of Jep Gambardella, a well-known journalist who wrote a famous novel early in his career. His success brought him a comfortable life writing cultural columns and enjoying Rome’s decadent social world. But, after a milestone birthday, he is haunted by many regrets over the choices he has made.
"Omar," a 2013 Palestinian action-packed drama, was written in just four days. A baker, named Omar, is one of three young Palestinians who decide to kill an Israeli soldier. He is arrested and beaten by Israeli intelligence agents and offered freedom in exchange for his agreement to work as an informant. He is unsure whom to trust when he rejoins his friends.
For more information about the Global Cinema Series, contact Kirk Shaffer, associate professor of Latin American studies, at 610-396-6258 or KRS14@psu.edu.