A series of six foreign films will be presented at Coastal Carolina University during the spring 2005 semester.

All the films in the series will be screened in Coastal’s Wall Auditorium on Mondays at 7 p.m. with free admission. The series is sponsored by Coastal’s Office of Student Activities. For more information, call 349-2301.

Jan. 24 – “Good Bye, Lenin”

A disarming, wildly inventive and offbeat comedy in which a young German attempts to protect his mother after she awakes from a long coma by convincing her that the Berlin Wall is still standing and Communism rules East Germany. Winner Best European Film – Berlin Film Festival. Directed by Wolfgang Becker.

GERMANY • 2003 • 118 mins • In German with English subtitles

Feb. 7 – “Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter… and Spring”

Set entirely in and around a floating Buddhist monastery with breathtaking vistas, this understated and elegant film by Korean writer-director-actor Kim Ki-duk examines a man’s life in five telling moments. Under the tutelage of an old monk, a youngster learns the secrets and lessons of the world around him. An unsentimental but powerful evocation of desire and aging.

SOUTH KOREA • 2003 • 103 mins • In Korean with English subtitles

Feb. 21 - “Monsieur Ibrahim”

In a working class Parisian neighborhood in the early 1960s, two unlikely characters – a young Jew and an elderly Muslim deli owner – begin a friendship. This tender and sweet-spirited parable of the brotherhood of man won Omar Sharif a Cesar Award for best actor and has been a surprise hit in Europe. Directed by Francois Dupeyron.

FRANCE • 2003 • 95 mins • In French with English subtitles

March 7 – “Monsoon Wedding”

Here comes the bride – but is she ready? – in this romantic comedy from New Delhi native Mira Nair. This film is set in contemporary India where bride to be Aditi has to contend with her traditional father Lalit Verma who loves his family dearly but does not have time for their “modern ways.” Aditi faces the dilemma of an arranged marriage and how it conflicts with her contemporary take on relationships.

India • 2002 • 114 mins • In Hindi with English subtitles

March 28 – “Maria Full of Grace”

Maria Full of Grace weaves a gripping narrative of risk, determination, survival and redemption as it follows a bright and brave young woman on a life-threatening, life-changing odyssey from Colombia to New York when she accepts a job transporting heroin as a drug “mule.” Directed by Joshua Marston.

USA/COLOMBIA • 2003 • 101 mins • In Spanish with English subtitles

April 11 – “Control Room”

Jehane Noujaim provides an eye-opening documentary on Al Jazeera, the independent news network that is the most popular source of information in the Arab world. Demonized by the Bush administration and banned by some Islamic nations, Al Jazeera is faithfully watched by 40 million people. Based on comparisons of Iraqi war coverage by U.S. news agencies and by Al Jazeera, the filmmakers suggest that truth is gathered, presented and ultimately created by those who deliver it. Directed by Jehane Noujaim.

UNITED STATES/EGYPT • 2004 • 84 mins • In English and Arabic with English subtitles

For additional information, contact the Office of Student Activities at 843-349-2301.