Topsham Film Society Current Programme 2009-10 I’ve Loved You So Long 2 October 2009 France/Germany, 2008, Cert 12A, 117 minutes. Director: Philippe Claudel. Starring Kristin Scott Thomas, Elsa Zylberstein, Claire Johnston. (Subtitled) Juliette (Scott Thomas) has been estranged from her family for 15 years. Reunited with her sister, she slowly explains the tragic circumstances that tore them apart. A sublimely acted family drama. 2008 BAFTA Best Foreign Language Film winner. The Pope’s Toilet 16 October 2009 Uruguay, 2007. Cert 12, 90 minutes. Director: Cesar Charlone and Enrique Fernandez. Starring Cesar Troncoso, Virginia Mendez, Mario Silva. (Subtitled) To the humble, poor residents of Melo, a Papal visit means one thing – the opportunity to make a little money from providing pilgrims with food, drink, souvenirs…and a toilet. This is a wry comedy about opportunism and failure. Man On Wire 30 October 2009 UK/USA, 2008, Cert 12, 91 minutes. Director: James Marsh. Featuring Philippe Petit. (Part-subtitled) The stunning Oscar-winning documentary about Frenchman Philippe Petit's daring (and illegal) high-wire walk between the World Trade Centre twin towers in 1974. Remarkable footage and emotions are on show. Remember – don’t look down. Persepolis 20 November 2009 France/USA, 2007, Cert 12A, 96 minutes. Directors: Vincent Perronaud and Marjane Satrapi. Described as a poignant coming-of-age story of a precocious and outspoken young Iranian girl that begins during the Islamic Revolution, this autobiographical story has been hailed as one of the most important animated films of recent years. Lemon Tree 4 December 2009 Israel/Germany/France, 2009, Cert 12. 108 minutes. Director: Eran Riklis. Starring Hiam Abbass, Ali Suliman, Doron Tavori. (Subtitled) Salma Zidane is a widow running a family lemon grove in a tiny Palestinian village on the West Bank. When the Israeli defence minister builds a house nearby, Salma's lemon trees become a global symbol of the tension ripping apart this region. Some Like It Hot 18 December 2009 US, 1959, Cert U, 120 minutes. Director: Billy Wilder. Starring Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis, George Raft. Fifty years on, this classic is as entertaining as ever. We all know the story – two musicians witness a mob hit and flee disguised as members of an all-female band – but few realise the film was criticised in 1959 for pushing the boundaries of decency. The Counterfeiters 15 January 2010 Austria/Germany, 2007, Cert 15, 98 minutes. Director: Stefan Ruzowitzky. Starring: Karl Markovics, August Diehl, David Striesow. (Subtitled) A Jewish prisoner of war captive is revealed as a brilliant forger, and is then coerced to lead a special team of other prisoners on a Nazi plan to destabilise the UK and US currencies. This film won the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar in 2007. Romeo and Juliet 22 January 2010 UK, 1966, Cert U, 124 minutes. Director: Paul Czinner. Starring Margot Fonteyn, Rudolf Nureyev, David Blair. Nureyev and Fonteyn play the star-crossed lovers in this much-loved production of Prokofiev's classic, respected for its elaborate sets and Kenneth MacMillan's fine choreography. This is the Topsham Film Society’s first ballet showing. The Illusionist 5 February 2010 Czech Republic/US, 2007, Cert PG, 110 minutes. Director: Neil Burger. Starring Edward Norton, Paul Giamatti, Jessica Biel. A magician in 1900s Vienna falls in love with a woman well above his social standing. When she becomes engaged to the crown prince, the magician uses his powers to undermine the stability of the Royal house of Vienna. But nothing is what it seems… The Bicycle Thieves 19 February 2010 Italy, 1949, Cert 12, 90 minutes. Director: Vittorio De Seca. Starring Lamberto Maggiorani, Enzo Staiola, Lianella Carell. (Subtitled) Awarded an honorary Oscar in 1950 and regularly cited as one of the world’s finest films, this black and white neo-realist production tells of a poor man searching the streets of Rome for his stolen bicycle, which he needs to be able to work. Atonement 5 March 2010 UK 2007, Cert 15, 122 minutes. Director: Joe Wright Starring: Keira Knightley, James McAvoy. When a 13-year-old accuses her sister's lover of a crime he did not commit, it sets into motion a trail of events that follows them into a world war. Golden Globe victories and Oscar nominations were lavished on this British production. Slumdog Millionaire 19 March 2010 UK, 2008, Cert 15, 120 minutes. Director: Danny Boyle. Starring Dev Patel, Anil Kapoor, Freida Pinto. (Part-Subtitled) A Mumbai teenager from the slums uses events from his short but tragic life to answer questions on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? and become a national hero in the process. A rare chance to see Bollywood and Hollywood in harmony.