NEWS
Davidson Film Club Presents “The Constant Gardener”
The Davidson Film Club is pleased to invite you to a screening and discussion of the Oscar, Golden Globes, and BAFTA-winning British film The Constant Gardener on Saturday, May 18, at 7:00 p.m. in the Armour Street Theatre.
“A political conspiracy thriller of the highest order.” Mattie Lucas, The Dispatch (Lexington, NC)
Directed by Fernando Meirelles
UK (2005, 2h09)
In English
Discussion of the film will be led by Matt Cramer, film critic on the “Matt at the Movies” blog.
Walk-ins are welcome, $9 (NC sales tax included) at the door, cash or check (no credit cards). 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:
Assigned to a new post, reserved British diplomat Justin Quayle (Ralph Fiennes) relocates to Nairobi, Kenya, with his lovely young wife, Tessa (Rachel Weisz), an activist for social justice. When Tessa is found murdered out in the wilderness, circumstances point to her friend, Dr. Arnold Bluhm (Hubert Koundé), but it is soon clear that he’s not the killer. Grief-stricken and angry, and using his privileged access to diplomatic secrets, Quayle will risk his own life, stopping at nothing to uncover and expose the truth—a conspiracy more far-reaching and deadly than he could ever have imagined. . .
Oscar and Golden Globes awards for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role (Rachel Weisz) + 3 other Oscar nominations. Winner of BAFTA (British Oscars) award for Best Editing and nominated for 8 other BAFTA awards.
Winner of Best International Film at Venice Film Festival. Winner of Best Original Film Score at Cannes. 35 wins and 69 nominations in all, including multiple Best Director, Best Film, Best Supporting Actress, Best Actor, Best Cinematography, and Best Editing awards.
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus: “The Constant Gardener is a smart, gripping, and suspenseful thriller with rich performances from the leads.”
“There is a terrific pulse of energy in this film, a voltage which drives it over two hours.” Peter Bradshaw, Guardian
“The Constant Gardener finds and maintains a lovely balance between a post-cold war thriller and a poignant, elegiac story of love and mourning. It is a hell of a film, very recommended if you’re in the mood for some real quality viewing.” Graeme Tuckett, Stuff.co.nz
“Ralph Fiennes gives one of the year’s subtlest, yet most exciting, screen performances” Ken Tucker, New York Magazine
“The Constant Gardener disturbs, lingers in the mind, for its images of Africa, images of corporate thuggery, images of well-meaning people drowning in their own self-deception.” Joanne Laurier, World Socialist Web Site
User Review:
“If you’re interested in the stark realities of how medicines are tested in third world nations without having to endure negative consequences, this is a film you will want to see. It purports to reveal real-world events from Africa [. . .]. It’s a brilliant movie showcasing how third world countries are (or can be) exploited
[. . .]. This is a thriller that thrills both the mind as well as the spirit. It left me wondering how close to the truth it actually comes. . .”
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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 May 18 screening of this thoroughly consternating film!
Alan
Alan Singerman
President, Davidson Film Club
[email protected]
(704) 231-6736