The Skin I Live In

Saturday, March 10

7:30pm

Donald L. Oat Theater

Suggested Donation: $7.00

A Pedro Almodovar movie starring Antonio Bandaras and Elena Anaya

Ever since his wife was burned in a car crash, Dr. Robert Ledgard, an eminent plastic surgeon, has been interested in creating a new skin with which he could have saved her. After twelve years, he manages to cultivate in his own laboratory, a skin that is sensitive to caresses, but a real shield against all the aggressions, both external and internal, to which our largest organ is submitted. To obtain it, he has used the possibilities provided by cellular therapy.
In addition to years of study and experimentation, Robert needed a human guinea pig, an accomplice and no scruples. Scruples were never a problem, they weren’t part of his character. Marilia, the woman who looked after him from the day he was born, is his most faithful accomplice. And as for the human guinea pig…
Over the course of each year, dozens of young people of both sexes disappear from their homes, in many cases of their own will. One of those young people will end up sharing the splendid mansion, El Cigarral, with Robert and Marilia, and will be doing so unwillingly.

Official Selection:
2011 Cannes Film Festival
2011 Toronto International Film Festival
2011 New York Film Festival

Rated R

Once

Saturday, February 11

7:30pm

Donald L. Oat Theater

Suggested Donation: $7.00

An unnamed, thirty-something Dublin busker (listed in the credits as “ The Guy”, played by Glen Hansard) sings and plays guitar on Grafton Street, a Dublin shopping district, struggling with the trials of performing on the streets. Lured by his music, an unnamed young Czech immigrant flower seller (listed in the credits as “The Girl”, played by Markéta Irglová) approaches him and, despite his annoyance, persists in questioning him about his songs. Delighted to learn that he also repairs vacuum cleaners in his father’s shop, she insists that he fix her broken cleaner.

Learning that she is also a musician, he asks to hear her play. A kindling musical and potentially romantic connection is born.  He teaches her his song “Falling Slowly” which won an Oscar for best song. Their fresh and honest story develops into what some call the best musical of this generation.

Once was written and directed by John Carney and shot for only $160,000. All the music was composed and performed by Glen Hansard, of popular Irish folk rock band The Frames, and Markéta Irglová.

Join us for a musical love story and come early to enjoy some decadent chocolate desserts and acoustic music.

Once Tidbits
• 2007 Independent Spirit Award for best foreign film.

• 2007 Academy Award for Best Original Song  - “Falling Slowly” from the Once soundtrack.
• “Falling Slowly” has been performed twice on American Idol.

• Film made over 36 film critics top 10 lists in 2008.

• Shot for $160,000.

• Shot with a skeleton crew on a 17-day shoot, the filmmakers saved money by using natural light and shooting at friends’ houses.

• Neither lead is a professional actor.

• Glen Hansard (The Guy) also appeared in a supporting role as guitarist Outspan Foster in the 1991 ensemble film The Commitments.

• The title refers to the many very talented artists that the director knew who put off their career by saying “once” they get this and that sorted out, but never succeed because they’ve put it off too long. This describes the lead character, The Guy.

In this hauntingly beautiful movie about the end of the world, Justine (Kirsten Dunst) and Michael (Alexander Skarsgård) are celebrating their marriage at a sumptuous party in the home of her sister Claire (Charlotte Gainsbourg), and brother-in-law John (Kiefer Sutherland). Despite Claire’s best efforts, the wedding is a fiasco, with family tensions mounting and relationships fraying. Meanwhile, a rogue planet called Melancholia is heading directly towards Earth… MELANCHOLIA is a psychological disaster film from director Lars von Trier.

Although the film is about depression, it is anything but depressing and affords Kirsten Dunst a vehicle for a dazzling performance including screwball comedy when she shows up for the wedding in a manic state. An unlikely subject becomes spellbinding in the hands of Mr. von Trier.

A short film will be shown prior to screening of Melancholia. Join us.

Rated R

A Christmas Tale
Saturday, December 10 • 7:30pm • Donald L. Oat Theater

Suggested Donation: $7.00

Donald L. Oat Theater
at Norwich Arts Center
60 – 64 Broadway, Norwich, CT 06360

Refreshments available.

A Christmas Tale is a 2008 French comedy-drama film by Arnaud Desplechin, starring Catherine Deneuve, Jean-Paul Roussillon, Mathieu Amalric, Anne Consigny, Melvil Poupaud, Emmanuelle Devos and Chiara Mastroianni. It tells the story of a family with strained relationships which gathers at the parents’ home for Christmas, only to learn that their mother has leukemia. It was in competition for the Palme d’Or at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival.

The Vuillard family is no stranger to physical/mental illness, loss, and banishment. But when the matriarch becomes in need of a transplant, the whole family is forced to come together, emotional baggage and all, just in time for Christmas.

This film will be a fund raiser for NAMI Southeastern, which is the National Alliance on Mental Illness in the greater Norwich area. It is an excellent organization that provides advocacy, education and support for people with a mental illness and their families

Beautiful Boy
Saturday, November 12 • 7:30pm • Donald L. Oat Theater

Suggested Donation: $7.00

Donald L. Oat Theater
at Norwich Arts Center
60 – 64 Broadway, Norwich, CT 06360

Refreshments available.

Beautiful Boy is an unconventional love story that explores the journey of a married couple on the verge of separation who must live with unimaginable heartbreak, and find healing through the darkest days of their lives.

Bill (Michael Sheen) and Kate (Maria Bello) hopelessly try to find some hint of an explanation after finding out that their only son committed a mass shooting at his university before taking his own life. They struggle numbly through the funeral, the media onslaught, and the awkward pity from relatives and friends. Their already strained marriage is tested as they realize all they have left with each other is their shared grief and confusion—and the unfortunate legacy of their son. This life-altering event forces Bill and Kate to face their feelings of guilt, rage, blame, self-discovery, and ultimately hope – so that they can finally see each other and their chance for happiness again with clear eyes.

Running time is 101 minutes. Rated R for some language and a scene of sexuality.