After a month's compulsory rest because of the temporary closure of the
Teatro Salón Cervantes, the
Cine Club of Alcalá de Henares is back in the saddle again. A triple dose of three feature films in one month; a glittering cast of some of the best auteur films to come out of the festival circuit in recent times. Celluloid that is a far cry from the popcorn populism of the billboards, and all too often tiptoes unnoticed down the listings. The Cine Club has therefore brought back features such as
'Lion's Den', an Argentine, Brazilian and South Korean co-production, '
Summer Hours' from France and the debut work of Wong Kar-Wai in North American climes, '
My Blueberry Nights'.
Cine Club's return is set for Wednesday the
11th of February. The feature film selected to start the ball running, '
Lion's Den', was close to winning the Golden Palm at the last Cannes Film Festival.
Pablo Trapero directs a script in which eight separate pens had a part to play concentrating all their intensity on the character of Julia,
a woman accused of the murder of her boyfriend. She is about to give birth when she enters a
special penitentiary unit. This is the backdrop to a whole range of new situations she must adapt herself to with the help of two other inmates. The investigation into what really happened crosses paths with her new experiences in the prison. 'Lion's Den' will be screened on the 11th and 12th of February in the Teatro Salón Cervantes, in our
standard twice-daily sessions at 18:30 and 21:00.
The latest work from
Olivier Assayas, one of France's most internationally renowned filmmakers, provides the Cine Club's second helping (18th and 19th of February). '
Summer Hours' on the big screen; a drama that examines the complexity of the relationship between
three siblings. The storyline kicks off with the death of the mother of the main characters, who is responsible until that moment for the custody of a valuable
XIX century art collection. A first class cast led by
Juliette Binoche affords strong backing for this story of intimate feelings; the new pearl of French cinema that has left its mark on Spanish billboards.
And new heights of excellence in the programming have been reserved for the end of February.
Wong Kar-Wai went to the United States to shoot with North American backing for the first time. The author of '
2046' and '
In the Mood for Love' takes his unique vision of life to
New York, and along the legendary
Route 66 for the location of 'My Blueberry Nights'. Love amongst neon lights, characters with emotions bubbling just under the surface and production values enriched with enigma. Everything is imbued with the imagination of the Hong Kong filmmaker, a cult figure venerated by a refined minority. In 'My Blueberry Nights' you can enjoy the work of actors of the stature of
Norah Jones, Jude Law, David Strathairn, Rachel Weisz and Natalie Portman. Just one month after its Spanish premiere, Cine Club is giving those of us who for whatever reason missed it the first time round a second chance. 'My Blueberry Nights' will bid farewell to February with screenings on the 25th and 26th.
Inscriptions and renewals
The start of the new film season means the
Cine Club of Alcalá de Henares is also opening
inscriptions. Those interested should go to the
offices of the Film Festival in the Culture Department building (C/ San Juan, s/n), from 10:00 to 15:00. In order to formalize the inscription, you will need a passport-sized photo and have to deposit
20 euros in account number 2038 2201 23 6000007086. The deposit item must include your name and surname/s and the message 'Cuota Cine Club 2009'.
Members of the University of Alcalá can join at the
Vicerrectorado de Extensión Universitaria (Plaza de San Diego, s/n) from 9:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 20:00. If you require further information you can call the Alcalá de Henares Film Festival telephone;
91 887 05 84.
