ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

On Saturday, April 13, the Davidson Film Club is screening the Oscar, Golden Globes, and BAFTA-nominated Best Foreign Language Film of the Year, Shoplifters, winner of the Palme d’or, the highest award at Cannes, and the César for the Best Foreign Language Film. The screening will be held at the Armour Street Theatre at 7:00 p.m.

“The film creeps up on you. It yields its pleasures stealthily. It has, however, more to say about questions of public and private morality than whole libraries.” Donald Clarke, Irish Times

Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer 99%.

Directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda

Japan (2018, 2h01)

In Japanese with English subtitles  

The film will be presented and discussion led by Lawrence Toppman, award-winning North Carolina film critic. 

If you are not a Davidson Film Club member, walk-ins ($9, NC Sales tax included) are always welcome, cash or check at the door. Walk-in students $7. 

*Walk-ins: Please note that reservations should be made in advance at [email protected]. Walk-ins without reservations are welcome but may have to be seated after members and those with reserved tickets to avoid overcrowding (fire marshal regulations).

Refreshments, including snacks, red and white wine, and bottled water, will be made available by the Film Club.

Film Summary:

A Japanese couple, stuck with part-time jobs and thus insufficient income, resorts to shoplifting to make ends meet. The children are in on the act, too. After one of their shoplifting sessions, Osamu and his son come across a little girl in the freezing cold. At first reluctant to shelter the girl, Osamu’s wife agrees to take care of her after learning of the hardships she faces. Although the family is poor, barely able to survive, they seem to live happily together until an unforeseen incident tests the bonds that unite them. . .

42 wins and 82 nominations: Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Ensemble Cast, Best Composer, Best Screenplay, etc.

“Kore-eda has the sensitive, calibrated touch of a master safecracker, and he’s a virtuoso of emotional and narrative buildup.” Manohla Dargis, New York Times

 “This wise and insightful film is delicate, poignant and unexpectedly powerful.” Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

“This soft-spoken, cinematic treasure about a family of thieves highlights the quietly devastating artistry of Japanese master Hirokazu Kore-eda. It’s impossible to experience the deep-seated compassion of this film and not be moved to tears.” Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

“What really makes this special is the sheer depth of compassion and knowing humanity behind every frame.” Trevor Johnston, Sight and Sound

Visit the DFC website to find the whole current series and film descriptions. Have you Bookmarked it?

We are a non-profit, tax-exempt organization run by volunteers that only exists to bring you fine international fiction films and engage in stimulating discussion about them.

Hope to see many of you on Saturday, April 13, at the screening of this deeply touching, thought-provoking film!

For more information, contact Alan Singerman, President, Davidson Film Club, at his email or (336) 751-2746