The Department of World Languages and Cultures at American University is launching its first Cinema Club! We hope to promote language and culture study, share views and perspectives, and build an open-minded WLC-based community.
Who? Anyone with an AU account
What? International films and documentaries subtitled in English
When? Online discussions twice a semester to talk informally about the films
Format? During online discussions, students and faculty address a common theme shared by the films, and cultural issues specific to each film. We will split into breakout groups to continue discussions focusing on one of the movies.
Where? Films are available through the links below, some provided by the AU Library.You are strongly encouraged to watch them ahead of the live Zoom discussion.
To receive updates and reminders, including the invitation for the Zoom meetings, please register in advance (registration closed for our Sept. 23 event).
1st Fall 2020 Zoom Discussion
Theme: Stories of (Im)migration
Wednesday, September 23
5 p.m. EST
La Cour de Babel [School of Babel] | directed by Julie Bertuccelli | 1h 23min | Documentary, Coming-of-age story | 2013 | France | in French with English subtitles
In the special needs class at La Grange aux Belles in Northern Paris, immigrant children such as Agnieszka, Eduardo, Kessa, Maryam, Youssef improve their French and gradually adapt both to the French school system and to the way French people act and think.
http://proxyau.wrlc.org/login?url=https://docuseek2.com/v/a/UeH
Manzanas, pollos y quimeras [Apples, Chickens, and Chimeras] | directed by Inés París | 1h 25min | Documentary | 2013 | Spain | in Spanish with English subtitles
Several black African women living in Spain show us their reality and their most intimate feelings. A writer, a waitress, an art gallery owner, a singer, a cook, a journalist, a seamstress, an actress, a cultural manager… are the protagonists of this documentary that breaks clichés and ultimately inspires joy.
Complicit | directed by Heather White and Lynn Zhang | 1h 29min | Documentary, Expository | 2017 (International) | in Chinese and English with English subtitles
Complicit follows the intimate yet intense journey of migrant worker Yi Yeting, a benzene-poisoned victim-turned-activist. Chronicling why and how he takes on the global electronic manufacturing industry on behalf of fellow victims, it prods us to reflect on the complex roles we play as consumers in a globalized economy.
http://proxyau.wrlc.org/login?url=https://docuseek2.com/v/a/ysR3
Questions? Please contact: Dr. Claudia Gotea at gotea@american.edu or Dr. Gemma Suñé Minguella at suneming@american.edu, or Dr. Xiaoquan Raphael Zhang at xrzhang@american.edu
Details of next programming and discussion TBA.