FILMS 2012 / 13 - Berwick Film Society

Wednesday October 31st 2012 at 7.30pm
The Well-Digger’s Daughter
(La Fille du puisatier) (PG)
France 2011 I 1hr 49min I Dir: Daniel Auteuil
Cast: Daniel Auteuil, Astrid Bergès-Frisbey, Jean-Pierre
Darroussin I Language: French with English subtitles
Lovers of French cinema will be fully familiar with
actor Daniel Auteuil, but here is his directorial debut:
a sumptuous adaptation of Marcel Pagnol’s 1940
classic, in which Auteuil also plays the cantankerous
and protective father of six daughters. Unlike the
original which exudes a raw neo-realism, Auteuil’s
work is a lush interpretation of a young love affair
across a class divide at the start of WWI. Set in
sun-dappled Provence the story, steeped in French
tradition, offers a fond examination of the ties
that bind family and pastoral community. Glorious
cinematography and sweeping soundtrack abound:
Indulge yourself!
“A blissfully uncomplicated pleasure”
Alexandra Coghlan, The Arts Desk
Wednesday 28th November 2012 at 7.30pm
A Separation (Jodaeiye Nader az Simin) (PG)
Iran 2011 I 2hr 3min I Director: Asghar Farhardi
Cast: Leila Hatami, Peyman Moadi, Sareh Bayat, Sarina
Farhardi I Language: Persian with English subtitles
Awards: Oscar winner for Best Foreign Film 2012,
+ 53 other wins,18 nominations
Living with an astute young daughter and a declining
father requiring constant care, a couple’s self-absorbed
wranglings are temporarily sidelined by events which
escalate and shift focus. In this fiercely intelligent
multiple award-winner, Director Farhardi skillfully
portrays the complexities of family relationships, class
attitudes, gender divides and the personal ramifications
of a contemporary culture facing chasmic discord.
“A sophisticated, superbly acted and wholly gripping portrait of
modern Iran” Sukhdev Sandhu, The Daily Telegraph
“This densely plotted, morally complex drama exposes divisions
throughout Iranian society” David Parkinson, Empire Magazine
”It’s a film that pays us the compliment of letting us make up our
own minds” Philip Kemp, Sight and Sound
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