NEWS

For the beginning of The Davidson Film Club’s (DFC) 23rd series (12th year) of monthly award-winning, critically acclaimed international films, DFC is pleased to invite the public to a screening and discussion of the multiple Oscar-winning Mexican film, Pan’s Labyrinth, on Saturday, January 20, at 7:00 p.m. in the Armour Street Theatre.

Directed by Guillermo del Toro
Mexico (2006, 1h58)
In Spanish with English subtitles
7:00 pm January 20 at the Armour Street Theatre

Discussion of the film will be led by award-winning former Charlotte Observer film, theater, and music critic, Lawrence Toppman.

*Trigger warning: this film contains some scenes of cruelty and violence.

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 (no credit cards).  Walk-in students $7. Walk-ins must apply for a seat in advance at [email protected]. Walk-in seats are limited by availability.

*DFC Members: Please let us know at [email protected] if you do not plan to attend this screening so we will know that your seats are available for walk-ins.

Please be reminded that members are always free to give their seats to a friend if they cannot make it to a given screening. Just email us to let us know the name of the friend(s) who will be using your seat(s).

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

Film Summary:

Pan’s Labyrinth is Alice in Wonderland for grown-ups, with the horrors of both reality and fantasy blended into an extraordinary, spellbinding fable. In 1944 Falangist Spain, a girl, fascinated with fairytales, is sent along with her pregnant mother to live with her new stepfather, a ruthless, sadistic captain of the Spanish army fighting Republican partisans operating from the surrounding forest. During the night, she meets a fairy who takes her to meet an old faun in the center of a labyrinth. . .

Winner of 3 Oscars, including Best Cinematography, 3 BAFTA (British Oscars) Awards, including Best Film not in the English Language, 9 Ariel Awards (Mexico), including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Cinematography, and Best Actress, 7 Goya Awards (Spain); nominated for the Palme d’Or at Cannes and the Best Foreign Language Film at the Golden Globes, 109 wins and 115 nominations in all.

Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer (Critics’ consensus): 95%!

“Del Toro’s finest work to date, beautifully blends magical worlds and fairy tales with grim, real-world evilness.” Fico Cangiano, CineXpress Podcast

“The story is a compelling and deeply involving one, and the film is both beautiful, exciting, and sometimes horrifying. The creature effects are superbly handled.” David Stratton, At the Movies (Australia)

“Watching the unique explosions of Guillermo del Toro’s mind realize themselves on screen is truly astounding.” Helen Cowley, Little White Lies

“Pan’s Labyrinth proved that del Toro’s most intimate and imaginative stories are also his most resonant and beautiful.” Jim Rohner, Battleship Pretension

Audience Reviews:

“Surreal, haunting, and beautiful, Pan’s Labyrinth is that rare, truly one-of-a-kind cinematic experience that absolutely demands a watch, both for its bizarre yet wonderful fantasy and emotionally wrenching war tale.”

“This movie is pure genius. The two stories connect in a fascinating way that displays the central theme of this movie. Its visionary director Guillermo del Toro really outdoes himself on this definitive masterpiece.”

Our website 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 January 20 screening of this mesmerizing film!

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

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