2012 Program

Bully (2011)

Director: Lee Hirsch
Duration: 99min

Kaddish for a Friend (2012)

Director: Leo Khasin
Duration: 94min

Bullying has become an epidemic in schools, infecting students of all backgrounds and ages. In his new documentary, Sundance and Emmy-award winning director Lee Hirsch paints a powerful portrait of the impact of such oppression, exploring the consequences for five American kids and their families.

Whilst the victim’s point of view is at the fore of the feature, Bully opens a conversation for everyone touched by teasing, torment and worse. For students, teachers and parents, Bully offers an intimate, unflinching look at coping with this insidious problem.
 

One of the toughest districts of Berlin sits at the centre of Kaddish for a Friend, as an elderly Jewish war veteran and Muslim refugees from Lebanon come into conflict. The old man’s attempts to remain in his apartment are threatened by the ransacking of his home by his neighbour’s 14 year-old son, as their cultures clash.

As a result of the home invasion, questions are raised about actions and consequences. Can the two find a way of achieving a peaceful existence? How can opposing cultures reach an accord? This moving drama of difference and reconciliation develops into a finely directed tale with universal echoes.

Curriculum Links: Education, Identity, Philosophy, Sociology, Human Relations, Psychology

Curriculum Links: German, Hebrew, Russian, Arabic, History, Education, Identity, Human Relations

Simple Simon (2010)

Director: Andreas Ohman
Duration: 90min

Simon may not be simple, but the label follows his every move. Suffering from Asperger’s syndrome, the 18 year-old is dependent upon his brother Sam to interpret the world around him; however when Sam breaks up with his girlfriend, his demeanour changes.

Suddenly, the sweet, well-meaning Simon is forced into the role of carer for his depressed sibling. Overcoming his awkward dislike of others is just the first step in his efforts to find Sam a new girlfriend, and ensure their lives return to normality. This empathetic comedy was Sweden’s official entry for best foreign film at the 2011 Academy Awards.

Language: Swedish

Curriculum Links: Sweden, Disability, Human Relations, Family Values, Sociology, Sexuality

Age: 12+

The Runway (2010)

Director: Ian Power
Duration: 89min

Based on the true story of a South American pilot’s landing near Mallow, Ireland in 1983, The Runway tells a tale of triumph against all odds. Forced to ground his aircraft under improbable circumstances, the stranger soon becomes a hero and mentor to local lad Paco, who sees him as a surrogate father figure.

Inspiring the townsfolk to band together to build a runway to help the pilot return home, Paco’s endearing determination – and the temporary cult status of their international visitor – enlivens the depressed town. Ian Power’s debut film is a bittersweet tale of friendship and family amidst unlikely circumstances.

Language: English, Spanish

Curriculum Links: Spanish, Family Values, History, Mechanics, Community Awareness/Engagement

Age: 12+

Killing Bono (2010)

Director: Nick Hamm
Duration: 114min

Skateistan: Four Wheels and a Board in Kabul (2010)

Director: Kai Sehr
Duration: 95min

For every musician or band that achieves fame and fortune, an array of onlookers miss their moments of stardom. Just as Salieri stood in the shadow of Mozart, brothers Neil and Ivan watch on as their schoolmates’ band The Hype go on to become the worldwide success U2.

In this raucous comedy of rock ‘n roll rivalry, the siblings address their fate by attempting to attain greater stardom than their peers. When they are unable to eclipse the biggest band in the world, a villainous plan is hatched, involving eradicating U2’s enigmatic frontman Bono.

Standing apart from the tragic tales regularly emerging from Afghanistan, Kai Sehr’s ambitious documentary demonstrates a small but significant endeavour to make a difference. After arriving in the war-torn nation, a pair of Australian aid workers discovered the effectiveness of skateboarding as an outlet for Kabul’s youth, forming Afghanistan’s first skateboarding school, Skateistan.

The emotional film journeys into the lives of the urban youth affected by the project, capturing the irrepressible hope within the country’s children. Chronicling the efforts of a grass-roots organisation to build Kabul’s first skate hall, as well as the travels of the first international crew of pro skaters to visit the nation, it shows the transformative impact of one of the unlikeliest forms of social action.

Curriculum Links: Music, Media

Curriculum Links: Afghanistan, International Relations, Sociology, Philosophy, Sport, Media, Human Relations

The Last Dogs of Winter (2011)

Director: Costa Botes
Duration: 97min

The Mirror Never Lies (2011)

Director: Kamila Andini
Duration: 100min

Eight miles from the remote Canadian community of Churchill on the shores of Hudson Bay, two endangered species have found a tenuous but workable co-existence. One is the largest carnivore on earth, the giant polar bear; the other is the rarest registered variety of canine, the Canadian Eskimo dog, or qimmiq.

The qimmiq once proved essential to human life in the arctic, however extinction now threatens as its numbers dwindle. Young New Zealand actor Caleb Ross helps bring their plight to the masses, as he assists local Brian Ladoon in preserving the species in the face of inhospitable predators, unhappy tourists and the unforgiving environment.

A personal, spiritual journey of grief and acceptance is at the heart of The Mirror Never Lies, as twelve year-old Pakis copes with the absence of her beloved father. Missing since he went fishing in the sea, she holds on to the hope of seeing him again, with her prized possession – a mirror he gave her – an emblem of their unbreakable bond.

Delving into the rituals of the Bajo tribe in Indonesia’s Wakatobi, this quiet, contemplative film explores the female experience of maturity. Amidst the stunning scenery of the exotic locale, Pakis’ journey encompasses the ecology and tradition of the rural community.

Curriculum Links: Geology, Ecology, Sustainability, Environmental Studies

Curriculum Links: Indonesia, Ecology, Sustainability, Biology, Geography

Small Change (1976)

Director: François Truffaut
Duration: 104min

The Ice Dragon (2012)

Director: Martin Hogdahl
Duration: 77min

Championed by filmmaker Wes Anderson as one of the major inspirations for his latest feature, Moonrise Kingdom, Small Change is a timeless classic from auteur François Truffaut. Also known as Pocket Money, it charts the daily lives of children in Thiers in central France, contemplating their path from the feeding bottle to the first lover’s kiss.

Featuring non-professional actors in the lead roles, the episodic effort journeys from birth to adolescence as the characters experience adversity and increased responsibility. One of the director’s most successful features in his home country, it combines poetry and poignancy to present a powerful portrait of our formative years.

An adventure about courage, friendship and whales gone astray, The Ice Dragon adapts Mikael Engstrom’s young adult novel into an entertaining tale of enterprising Mik. In the absence of his deceased mother and a rock star dad Mik is often left to his own devices, until he is sent to live with his bohemian aunt.

Soon, the spirited boy finds solace in his new surroundings, until the intervention of social services tests his resolve and resourcefulness. However, his fondness for flights of fancy – as well as his affection for majestic sea life – adds intrigue to his escapades, and the film abounds with heart and humour.

Curriculum Links: French, Sexuality, Sociology

Curriculum Links: Sweden, Ecology, Family Values, Biology, Geography, Psychology

Gattu (2011)

Director: Rajan Khosa
Duration: 80min

Kite flying is a serious business in Gattu’s small-town, central India setting in the Himalayan foothills, with adults and children alike obsessed with reaching for the heavens. Alas, a black kite called Kali rules the skies, controlled by an unseen expert flyer.

The charming, cheeky titular character dreams of defeating his mysterious opponent, crafting clever, creative ways to conquer the airspace. When a local school presents an ideal vantage point, the street urchin won’t let his inability to read or write stand in his way.

Language: Hindi

Curriculum Links: Hindi, Indian Culture, Geography, Friendship, Education, Identity

Age: All ages