nwFilmCenter

Germany

Fri, Feb 9, 2007 at 7:30 PM	The Lives of Others DIRECTOR: Florian Henkel von Donnersmarck GERMANY A sweeping tale of the cruel exigencies of life in the former East Berlin, the story unfolds five years before the Communist downfall in 1989. In a climate of ruthless control and surveillance, Party–loyalist Captain Gerd Wiesler hopes to boost his career when given the job of collecting evidence against an activist playwright and his girlfriend, a celebrated actress. But scrutinizing their lives has unforeseen consequences for Wiesler. The immersion in the lives of others—their love, literature, free thinking and politics makes Wiesler acutely aware of the emptiness of his own existence, opening him to a new way of thinking about the implications of personal acts. But the system, once started, cannot be stopped. A dangerous game has begun. Von Donnersmarck's gripping political thriller won this year's European Film Award for Best Film, seven top German film prizes and is this year's German submission for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar. ( 137 min ) First Feature Film. Director Florian Henkel von Donnersmarck will be in attendance to introduce the film and answer questions afterwards. Hollywood Video invites you to celebrate the opening of the Festival. Join us after the screening in the Rotunda of the Newmark Theatre at the Performing Arts Center for live music by The Stolen Sweets, drinks and desserts. Tickets for the film and party are $30 general admission and $25 PAM members and NWFC Friends. Opening Night tickets are NOW available at all TicketsWest locations, Online at TicketsWest.com, Tickets West by phone 503-224-TIXX (subject to additional services charges),Â or in person at the PCPA box office, 1111 SW Broadway, open 10am-5pm, Monday through Saturday. ^ Top
Sat, Feb 10, 2007 at 5:45 PM Sun, Feb 11, 2007 at 6:45 PM Wed, Feb 14, 2007 at 6 PM	Summer '04 DIRECTOR: Stefan Krohmer GERMANY "A family vacation at the cottage sets the stage for a daring and often uncomfortable generational battle. Krohmer defiantly pits the jealous needs of Miriam, a still–radiant forty–something mother and wife, against the nuclear sexual flowering of her son's twelve–year–old girlfriend, Livia. The casualties of this lethal battle are three men: Nils, the son, too young at fifteen to handle Livia's intellectual and carnal carpet bombing; Andre, the stolid husband, doomed to lose at every turn; and hapless Bill, the charmingly insecure, boyishly handsome neighbor who ends up in the middle of a tug–of–war over his masculine charms. This deceptively simple tale speaks profoundly and passionately about issues of sex, death, longing, jealousy and guilt—and does so without an ounce of pretension. It makes its mark through a tight, perfectly orchestrated screenplay and crackerjack performances."—Toronto Film Festival. ( 97 min ) Filmography: They've Got Knut (03). ^ Top
Sun, Feb 11, 2007 at 7:30 PM Sat, Feb 17, 2007 at 12:15 PM	Into Great Silence DIRECTOR: Philip Gröning GERMANY Bearing witness to a way of life that has existed since 1084, Into Great Silence is the first ever film about life inside the Grande Chartreuse, the mother house of the legendary Carthusian Order of monks based in the French Alps. A near silent meditation on monastic life in a very pure form, the film contains no music except the chants in the monastery, no interviews or commentaries. The gentle rhythm of the monastic prayers and rituals give the film a beautiful cadence and the changing of time and seasons is captured by stunning cinematography. Regardless of your religious or spiritual beliefs, Gröning's attempt to embody a monastery, rather than simply depict one is mesmerizing. "When a young novice chants evening prayers, the beauty of that voice, resonating through the dark chapel, strikes the viewer with something approaching awe."—Variety. ( 162 min ) Filmography: The Last Picture Taken (83), Victim, Witnesses (93), Summer (86), The Terrorists! (92) L'Amour, l'argent, l'amour (00). ^ Top
Sat, Feb 17, 2007 at 3:15 PM Sun, Feb 18, 2007 at 2:45 PM	The Treasure of the White Falcons DIRECTOR: Christian Zübert GERMANY When Jan finds out that his family will be moving just before the next school year he is less than pleased. On top of dealing with his strained relationship with his father, now he has to say goodbye to Stevie and Basti, the best friends he's ever had. Knowing this will be their last summer together, the three friends decide to break into the notorious abandoned house known as the Kattlervilla, which will give them a leg–up in their longstanding rivalry with another group of kids. Inside, they discover a coded map left behind by the White Falcons, a legendary group of kids whose leader mysteriously disappeared ten years earlier. A classic adventure story complete with acts of bravery, friendships tested, new friendships formed, and the discovery of a treasure more meaningful than ever imagined. ( 92 min ) Filmography: Lammbock (01). ^ Top