By Nanette Wiser
The International Cinema Series at Eckerd College debuted in September and is one of the best kept art experiences in town, hosted at the Dan and Mary Miller Auditorium.
Eckerd College is located at 4200 54th Avenue South, St. Petersburg
(727) 864-7979.
• 10/4 Liz and the Blue Bird: Directed by Naoko Yamada (Japan, Japanese with English subtitles, 90 minutes, 2018) This new anime ἀlm by Naoko Yamada uses music to interweave an examination of high school friendship with a fairy tale. It won Best Anime Movie at the 2018 IGN Summer Movie Awards and is part of the International Cinema Series at Eckerd College.
• 10/18 Rafiki: Directed by Wanuri Kahiu (Kenya, English and Swahili with English Subtitles, 90 min, 2018) Initially banned in Kenya, Raἀki chronicles a developing romance between two women to examine queer politics in its native country. The filmpremiered at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival, and it has won the top prize at queer film festivals in Milan, Minneapolis St. Paul, New York, and Seattle.
• 10/25 Paris is Burning: Directed by Jennie Livingston (USA, English, 78 min, 1990)Newly restored, this groundbreaking documentary—a hallmark of the New Queer Cinema—follows African American and Latinx performers in the Harlem ballroom scene in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
• 11/1 Capernaum: Directed by Nadine Labacki (Lebanon, Arabic and Amharic with English Subtitles, 150 min, 2018) The highest grossing Middle Eastern film of all time, Capernaum is a stunning melodrama of a young boy who sues his parents for child neglect. Praised for its performances and style, Capernaum won the Jury Prize at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival.
• 11/8 Kusama InḀnity: Directed by Heather Lenz (USA, English and Japanese with English Subtitles, 80 min, 2018) Kusama: Infinity profiles Yayoi Kusama, the enigmatic Japanese artist celebrated around the world for her mesmerizing infinity mirror installations.
• 11/15 The Heiresses: Directed by Marcelo Martinessi (Paraguay, Spanish with English Subtitles, 98 min, 2018) When her partner of over 30 years is imprisoned, a woman must re-examine and rebuild her life in this subtle Paraguayan drama that earned lead Ana Brun the Silver Bear for Best Actress award at the 2018 Berlinale. PN