NEWS

The Davidson Film Club is pleased to invite you to a screening and discussion of the Oscar and Golden Globes-nominated Spanish film The Impossible on Saturday, November 25, at 7:00 p.m. in the Armour Street Theatre.

 “Dramatic and unwavering, The Impossible will make you believe that anything is possible.” Debbie Lunn Elias, Behind The Lens

Directed by J. A. Bayona
Spain (2012, 1h54)
In English
Discussion of the film will be led by Dr. LeeAnna Chapman, Visiting Asst. Prof. of Environmental Studies, Davidson College.

Walk-ins are welcome, $9 at the door, cash or check. Walk-ins must apply for a seat in advance at [email protected]. Walk-in seats are limited by availability.

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

 Film Summary:

The story of a tourist family caught in the destruction and chaotic aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. A regular family—Maria (Naomi Watts), Henry (Ewan McGregor), and their three kids—travel to Thailand to spend Christmas. They get an upgrade to a villa on the coastline. After settling in, they go to the pool, like so many other tourists. A perfect paradise vacation until a distant noise becomes a roar. There is no time to escape from the tsunami; Maria and her eldest are swept one way, Henry and the two youngest another. Who will survive, and what will become of them?

 Oscar and Golden Globes-nominated Best Actress (Naomi Watts) + another 28 wins and 70 nominations: Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Youth Performance (multiple), Best Special Effects, Best Sound, Best Music.

“The tsunami sequence is amazing, right up there with the one Clint Eastwood staged in Hereafter.” Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor

 “The Impossible shows us devastation, yes, unbelievable havoc, yes, horrific human loss, yes. But also, exemplary courage and love and compassion, all done with freshness and feeling.” Shubhra Gupta, The Indian Express

“In most years, Naomi Watts would be a shoo-in for an Oscar nomination with a performance that is absolutely mesmerizing and emotionally devastating.” Richard Propes, TheIndependentCritic.com

“A punishing experience, with hardly a moment after the first twenty minutes where a lump isn’t in your throat or tears welling up in your eyes.” Brian Eggert, Deep Focus Review

“The Impossible may be schmaltz, but it’s damn good schmaltz. It’s the kind of story that is so incredible, so impossible, that it can only be true.” Matthew Lucas, From the Front Row

“Sometimes it’s sentimental to a fault, but the thrilling and innovative filmmaking that’s being done makes it all worth it.” Karl Delossantos, Smash Cut Reviews

“The film is a remarkable visual achievement made more affecting by the depth the actors bring to their characters. The go-for-broke intensity and emotional layering Watts brings to her role is an acting triumph. And McGregor matches her in a performance of ferocity and feeling. The surprise is young Holland, who shows how the terror and anger in Lucas grow into courage. He gives this powerhouse film its grieving heart.” Peter Travers, RollingStone

Audience Reviews:

“With wonderful acting, The Impossible tells a captivating true story in which survival impulses, society, family ties and human kindness all shine and inspire. . .”

“Amazing story of how family can overcome even the most impossible of situations. It’s even more amazing that this was a true story.”

Our website www.davidsonfilmclub.com features 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 that many of you will be at the November 25 screening of this stunning, heart-stopping film!

Alan
Alan Singerman
President, Davidson Film Club
[email protected]
(704) 231-6736