It is that time of year when the Redlands Cinema Classic invites attendees to watch four award-winning movies from around the world. The first movie starts at 7 p.m. on April 3 and Thursday, April 5 at 2:30 p.m.
Coordinator of the Redlands Cinema Classic Annette Weis reviewed up to 50 foreign movies to select four top picks for the Redlands audience.
The Redlands Cinema Classics raises funds for the Margaret Clark Art Education Enrichment Fund (MCAEEF) of the Redlands Art Association.
The fund supports arts education programs in the Redlands Unified School District and in the community as well as the free Youth Art Expo on Memorial Day weekend. Weis said how every movie ticket sold, “Spread joy among our youth as they express their innate artistic ability.”
“When I learn what the storyline is, who the directors and actors are and the country of origin, I then review them,” said Weis. “Over the years I have acquired a good relationship with some of the top film distributors.”
“I was blown away by the director’s interpretation of the 1924 novel in which the two actors leave you with food and wine cravings,” she said of her first pick, “The Taste of Things” from France, directed by Tran Anh Hung and starring Juliette Binoche. “They were so authentic.
Director Hung was the winner at the Cannes Film Festival last year for this film.”
The other three movies are: “The Promised Land” from Denmark, “Driving Madeline” from France and “The Teachers’ Lounge” from Germany.
For 25 years, Redlands Cinema Classics has been creating unique opportunities for audiences to watch foreign films on the big screens.
When asked what Weis’ favorite movie was, she said with a laugh, “That’s like asking me which of my children is my favorite.”
“I love the feedback I get after the movie is done and the audience wants to chat about the story regardless of whether they liked it or not,” she said. “I am delighted that many of our patrons have been attending these screenings from the very beginning.”
Tickets are available to purchase at the Redlands Art Association, 215 E State St, Redlands and with cash only before each show at LOOK Cinemas 340 N. Eureka St, Redlands.
Ticket prices are $15 per person and $10 student price with ID.
For information visit redlandscinemaclassic.com.
Unfortunately, since the year 2020 funds have not yet reached the pre-Covid levels. “Last spring we grossed $13,000,” said Weis.
Adding The Manhattan Short Film Festival in the fall has increased the total for both seasons to $22,000 including expenses.
“I select movies from different countries spanning the globe to show for an hour or two how much we are alike regardless of language, socio-economic backgrounds, acts of violence, terrorism, gender differences, artistic influences and skin color,” she said. “Even though we travel more nowadays to different countries, these foreign films give us intimate details through the eyes of talented auteurs.”
“I also like to think it brings pleasure for some viewers to see a movie in their native tongue and especially for students studying foreign languages,” she added.
The LOOK Cinema in downtown Redlands will seat up to 200 people either Wednesday night or Thursday from April 3 to May 8 for the Cinema Classic series.
Among the movies selected by Weis follow.
“The Taste of Things.” Show times: Wednesday April 3 at 7 p.m. and Thursday April 4 at 2:30 p.m.
In French with English subtitles.
Director Tran Anh Hung’s unique sensitivity explores the talents of the two Oscar winners Juliette Binoche and Benoit Magimel as they seduce the viewer with their fabulous performances concocting and cooking mouthwatering food.
Lovers of food and wine will delight in watching this film as it evolves into a tender subtle love story that transcends their long history together not only as food experts in the film but perhaps gives an insight into the real-life romance of the two actors 20 years ago.
“The Promised Land.” Show times: Wednesday April 17 at 7 p.m. and Thursday April 18 at 2:30 p.m. In Danish with English subtitles.
The movie stars Mads Mikkelsen. James Bond fans will remember his memorable role as the suave villain ‘Le Chiffre’ in the 2006 Bond movie “Casino Royale.”
In “The Promised Land” his remarkable versatility is impressive as he portrays Capt. Ludvig Kahlen who sets out to conquer the harsh uninhabitable Danish Heath in 1755.
Based on true events, Capt. Kahlen requests an appointment from the King to build a colony on the Heath in exchange for a royal title, despite skepticism from the King’s advisors.
With outstanding cinematography Kahlen encounters formidable hurdles from the unyielding land and a relentless evil man.
Danish Actor Amanda Collin is magnificent also as Ana his only ally.
“Driving Madeline.” Show times: Wednesday May 1 at 7 p.m. and Thursday May 2 at 2:30 p.m.
In French with English subtitles. The movie is beautifully portrayed by Line Renaud and Dany Boon. A 92-year-old elegant woman hires Charles a taciturn taxi driver to take her to many of her favorite places around the city of Paris before she enters a nursing home.
As they drive along, she describes to him some enchanting anecdotes and though he responds with curt remarks he eventually shares his own stories of frustration and personal crises.
Their exchanges result in an unexpected, delightful adventure.
If you loved ‘Driving Miss Daisy’ you would love this even more.
“The Teachers’ Lounge.” Showtimes: Wednesday May 8 at 7 p.m. and Thursday May 9 at 2:30 p.m.
Trần Anh Hùng's “The Taste of Things” will be shown Wednesday, April 3 at 7 p.m. at Look Cinemas as part of the Redlands Cinema Classic. Photo credit: thefilmexperience.net
In German with English subtitles. Starring Leonie Benesch as Carla Novak, a new teacher assigned to sixth-grade.
When one of the teachers report thefts of money that throws suspicion on Carla’s class, an investigation gets underway which quickly develops into an interrogation that goes beyond the classroom into the teachers’ lounge where interaction with her colleagues become tense.
The measures taken to find the culprit escalate into a whodunit scenario and Benesch’s performance is stunning, and the young actors are superb.
This movie was a contender for Best Foreign Language film at the 2024 Academy Awards.