April showers will bring May flowers soon enough, so as you wait for this brutal winter weather to leave, enjoy the Finest in World Cinema Series at Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center (WHBPAC). March screenings will include “Two Days, One Night,” “Timbuktu,” and “Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem.”
“Two Days, One Night” will kickoff the cinematic Hamptons affair. The Jean-Pierre Dardenne and Luc Dardenne directed film stars Academy Award winner Marion Cotillard as Sandra. Following a serious bout with depression, Sandra returns to her job only to find out that she is being downsized. In exchange for Sandra’s dismissal, her co-workers opted for a considerable bonus, so in order to have a chance at keeping her job she must convince each of her fellow co-workers to sacrifice their much-needed bonuses. Screenings will take place on Friday, March 6th at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, March 7th at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, March 8th at 4 p.m.
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Once safe from the new rulers, Kidane and his family’s fate changes as they are forced to adhere to the new laws. (Courtesy Photo) |
Next up is “Timbuktu,” a Best Foreign Language Film Academy Award nominee. Abderrahmane Sissako directed the film, which centers on a cattle herder and his family, who live peacefully in the dunes not far from Timbuktu. Although the Mali City was taken over by religious fundamentalists who are determined to control their subject’s faith, Kidane and his family have been spared from the Jihadists rulers, so far. The regime has banned several simple pleasures like music, laughter, cigarettes, and even soccer. Every day, the new improvised courts issue heartbreaking and unreasonable verdicts. Once safe from the new rulers, Kidane and his family’s fate changes as they are forced to adhere to the new laws. “Timbuktu” will screen on Friday, March 13th at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, March 14th at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and on Sunday, March 15th at 4 p.m.
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“Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem” follows the ambiguous role of the rabbinical judges in divorce proceedings. (Courtesy Photo) |
March screenings will culminate with “Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem,” also a Best Foreign Language Film Golden Globe nominee. In this powerhouse courtroom drama directed by Ronit Elkabetz and Shlomi Elkabetz, an Israeli woman trying to finalize a divorce (gett) from her estranged husband finds herself effectively put on trial by her country’s religious marriage laws. Stuck in a loveless relationship, Viviane Amsalem has been attempting to get a divorce for three years, but her religiously devout husband rebutalls each attempt. His cold intransigence, Viviane’s determination to fight for her freedom, and the ambiguous role of the rabbinical judges shape a procedure where tragedy vies with absurdity and everything is brought out into the open for judgment. “Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem” can be seen on Friday, March 20th at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, March 21st at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and on Sunday, March 22nd at 4 p.m.
Tickets are $15 for adults, $9 for students/seniors, and $5 for WHBPAC Film Society members.
WHBPAC is located at 76 Main Street in Westhampton Beach. For more information call 631-288-1500 or visit whbpac.org.
