F.I.L.M. Series

See an an award-winning or critically-acclaimed foreign or independent film, meet new people, and join the F.I.L.M. discussion. F.I.L.M. is open to adults 18 and older. These movies are not previewed and may contain scenes or elements that are appropriate for mature audiences only.

2010 F.I.L.M. dates and movies

July 9, 2010: Gigante
Not Rated| Uruguay | 2009 | Comedy-Drama | Spanish w/ English subtitles | 85 minutes
A shy and lonely 35 year old security guard at a supermarket works the night shift monitoring the surveillance cameras. One night he discovers a 25 year old cleaning woman through one of the cameras and is immediately attracted to her.

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August 13, 2010: Storm
Not Rated | Germany, Denmark, Netherlands | 2009 | Thriller | English, German, Bosnian, Serbian w/ English Subtitles | 105 minutes
Hannah Maynard, prosecutor at the International Criminal Tribunal in The Hague, is leading a trial against a former commander of the Yugoslavian National Army who is accused of the deportation and later killing of dozens of Bosnian-Muslim civilians. When a key witness commits suicide, it looks like the case will unravel, however Hannah refuses to give in. Hoping to uncover new findings, she travels to the witness' burial in Sarajevo and meets his sister Mira who she senses has much more to say than she is willing to admit. Despite threats of violence, Mira reluctantly agrees to testify at The Hague. However, she and Hannah must both risk life and limb to make it to the court, only to discover that there are traitors among their own ranks.

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Septebmer 10, 2010: Troubled Water
Not Rated | Norway-Sweden | 2008 | Thriller-Drama | Norwegian w/ English Subtitles | 120 minutes
Jan, recently released from prison after serving time for the murder of a child, has always maintained his innocence and is ready to put the past behind him. A gifted organist, he takes a job at an Oslo church under his middle name, Thomas. His talent and gentle manner quickly earn him the respect of his superiors, as well as the love of the pastor, Anna. Thomas even overcomes his initial panic to return the affection of Anna's young son, Jens. But his past catches up with him when Agnes, a local teacher, comes to the church on a school visit and recognizes the organist as Jan, the young man who was convicted for the murder of her son.

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October 8, 2010: The Wind Journeys
Not Rated | Colombia, Germany, Argentina & Netherlands | 2009 | Drama | Spanish w/ English subtitles | 120 minutes
For most of his life, Ignacio Carrillo travelled the villages of northern Colombia, playing traditional songs on his accordion, a legendary instrument said to have once belonged to the devil. He eventually married and settled in a small town, leaving the nomadic life behind. But after the traumatic death of his wife, he vows to never play the accursed accordion again, and embarks on one last journey to return the instrument to its rightful owner. On the way, Ignacio is followed by Fermín, a spirited teenager determined to become his apprentice. Tired of loneliness, Ignacio accepts the young man as his pupil and together they traverse the vast Colombian terrain, discovering the musical diversity of Caribbean culture. Hardened by a life of solitude, Ignacio tries to discourage Fermín from following in his footsteps, but destiny has different plans for them.

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November 12, 2010: Only When I Dance
Not Rated | Brazil, United Kingdom | 2009  Documentary | English and Portuguese with English Subtitles | 78 minutes
This feel-good documentary follows Irlan and Isabela, two teenagers from the violent favelas of Rio de Janeiro, as they pursue their dreams of becoming professional ballet dancers. This inspiring story takes us from Rio - where their communities must raise the funds to support their ambitions - to exhilarating ballet competitions in New York and Switzerland. It's a film about their determination to dance, and the price one must pay for talent, ambition and success.

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December 10, 2010: Welcome
Not Rated | France | 2009 | Drama | French, English and Kurdish w/ English subtitles | 105 minutes
Bilal, a 17-year-old Kurdish refugee, has struggled his way through Europe for the last three months, trying to reunite with his girlfriend, who recently emigrated to England. But his journey comes to an abrupt halt when he is stopped by authorities in Calais, on the French side of the Channel. Left with no other alternatives, he decides to swim across. Bilal goes to the local swimming pool to train, where he meets Simon, a middle-aged swimming instructor in turmoil over his imminent divorce. Simon agrees to help Bilal, hoping to win back the affection of his wife, who does volunteer work helping immigrants. But what begins as a relationship based on self interest, develops into something much bigger than Simon could ever have imagined, as he too will ultimately risk everything to reach happiness.

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January 14, 2011: In Love We Trust
Not Rated | China | 2008 | Drama | Mandarin w/ English subtitles | 115 minutes
A divorced couple learns that the only way to save their little daughter Hehe, who suffers from a blood disease, is to have another child. Now both remarried, Mei Zhu and Xiao Lu are forced to test their love and their commitment to one another by putting their current relationships in danger. A story of parenthood, love, married life, betrayal, trust and giving, which touches upon changes in contemporary society and family life, as well as the moral and ethical dilemmas brought on by modernity.

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February - June 2011 selections will be posted in November 2010.