voices blog

Capitalism: A Love Story

SYNOPSIS:

With the financial collapse of 2007-2010, some would say that we are witnessing the predictable, self-destructive final chapter of capitalism, where greed has replaced or subverted other social values. Are there viable, alternative ways of organizing an economy? Michael Moore presents examples of US worker-owned enterprises, grassroots community organizations stopping bank foreclosures, and political leaders advocating ways of redistributing wealth and power. The film investigates the moral questions posed by an economics based on predation, and an ever-widening gulf between the clout of the “haves” and “have-nots”. Is this system really enshrined in the US Constitution? How do religious authorities deal with the inherent paradoxes?

REVIEWERS’ COMMENTS:

“Funny, angry, and deadly accurate”.–David Gritten, DAILY TELEGRAPH

“Michael Moore does it again. He educates and entertains, even if the facts are skewed his way. A great film.”– Paul Chambers, CNN.

“Moore’s loudest, most heartfelt warning, against corporate greed that is ruining his — and our — country. It’s also a stirring cry to action.”–Sean Means, SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

“I can’t help smiling at Moore’s response to the question concerning what he hopes audiences will take away from this film ‘Popcorn and pitchforks’.”–Diana Saenger, REVIEWEXPRESS.COM

“Moore has always stood proudly for progressivism, and that works in his favor now.”–Michael Sragow, BALTIMORE SUN

“Those [attacking Moore] are doing worse than namecalling. By refusing to engage the substance of the film, they’re conceding that he may be right.”–Daniel M. Kimmel, NEW ENGLAND MOVIES WEEKLY

AWARDS:

• Won Little Golden Lion Award and Open Prize, Venice Film Festival
• Won Phoenix Films Critics Society Award (Best Documentary)
• Nominated for 7 additional awards

DETAILS:

2009 release. MPAA rating: R for some language. 127 min. In color.

TRAILER:

Capitalism: A Love Story

Occupation 101

SYNOPSIS:

A thought-provoking and powerful documentary film on the current and historical root causes of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Unlike any other film ever produced on the conflict — ‘Occupation 101′ presents a comprehensive analysis of the facts surrounding the controversy and dispels many of its long-perceived myths and misconceptions.

The film also details life under Israeli military rule, the role of the United States in the conflict, and the major obstacles that stand in the way of a lasting and viable peace. The roots of the conflict are explained through first-hand on-the-ground experiences from leading Middle East scholars, peace activists, journalists, religious leaders (including several rabbis) and humanitarian workers whose insights have too often not been presented in American media outlets. Israeli and Palestinian viewpoints are expressed.

The film covers a wide range of topics — which include — the first wave of Jewish immigration from Europe in the 1880′s, the 1920 tensions, the 1948 war, the 1967 war, the first Intifada of 1987, the Oslo Peace Process, Settlement expansion, the role of the United States Government, the second Intifada of 2000, the separation barrier and the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, as well as testimonials of victims from all sides of this tragedy.

This is an opportunity to fact-check your perceptions of an issue which continues to prove pivotal to the conflicts between the West and the Middle Eastern nations.

REVIEWERS’ COMMENTS:

“A visual revolution is born.. if a picture is worth a thousand words, then Occupation 101 is worth a thousand books.” –IN FOCUS

“Forget what you’ve seen on CNN; this film delves deeply into seriously painful territory” –LANSING STATE JOURNAL

“One of the best documentaries” –LOS ANGELES JOURNAL

“…(an) illuminating clarion call for truth in media and human rights justice”–MOVIE MAGAZINE INTERNATIONAL

“The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge” –STEPHEN HAWKING

AWARDS:

• Won Golden Palm Award, Beverly Hills Film Festival
• Won Best Film Award, Artivist Film Festival
• Won Audience Choice Best Film Award, East Lansing Film Festival
• Won Best Feature Award, River’s Edge Film Festival
• Won Best Documentary Award, New Orleans Human Rights International Film Festival
• Won Best Documentary Feature Award, Dead Center Film Festival
• Won Best Editing Award, Beverly Hills Film Festival
• Won John Michaels Memorial Award, Big Muddy Film Festival

DETAILS:

MPAA: not rated (some graphic scenes and violence). 90 minutes. 2006 release. In color. In English, with some subtitles for Hebrew and Arabic sequences.

TRAILER AVAILABLE:

Occupation 101

Out in the Silence

SYNOPSIS:

Out in the Silence captures the remarkable chain of events that unfold when the announcement of filmmaker Joe Wilson’s wedding to another man ignites a firestorm of controversy in his small Pennsylvania hometown. Drawn back by a plea for help from the mother of a gay teen being tormented at school, Wilson’s journey dramatically illustrates the universal challenges of being an outsider in a conservative environment and the transformation that is possible when those who have long been constrained by a traditional code of silence summon the courage to break it.

AWARDS:

• Official selection, Human Rights Watch Film Festival
• Won Alternative Spirit Award, Rhode Island International Film Festival
• Won Audience Award, Hardacre Film Festival
• Supported by Sundance Documentary Film Program

DETAILS:

MPAA–not rated (suitable for all audiences in our opinion). 56 min. In color. 2009 release.

TRAILER AVAILABLE:

Out in the Silence

SYNOPSIS:

US Academy Award winner for Best Foreign Language Film, DEPARTURES is a delightful journey into the heartland of Japan as well an astonishingly beautiful look at a sacred part of Japan’s cultural heritage.

“Departures” follows Daigo Kobayashi (Masahiro Motoki), a devoted cellist in an orchestra that has just been dissolved and who is suddenly left without a job. Daigo decides to move back to his old hometown with his wife to look for work and start over. He answers a classified ad entitled “Departures” thinking it is an advertisement for a travel agency only to discover that the job is actually for a “Nokanshi” or “encoffineer,” a funeral professional who prepares deceased bodies for burial and entry into the next life. While his wife and others despise the job, Daigo takes a certain pride in his work and begins to perfect the art of “Nokanshi,” acting as a gentle gatekeeper between life and death, between the departed and the family of the departed. The film follows his profound and sometimes comical journey with death as he uncovers the wonder, joy and meaning of life and living.

REVIEWERS’ COMMENTS:

“Heart-warming, funny, wise and profound. Not to be missed.”–Philip De Semlyen, EMPIRE MAGAZINE

“This heartfelt, unpretentious, slyly funny Japanese film is worth waiting for.”–Nicholas Barber, INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY

“Like the unfolding of a Mozart concerto.”–John A. Nesbit, OLD SCHOOL REVIEWS

“Absolutely, beautifully, tear duct openingly right.”–Robert W. Butler, KANSAS CITY STAR

“The ending, which involves a rock, would wring tears from a stone.”–Michael Sragow, BALTIMORE SUN

AWARDS:

• 2009: Won Oscar, Best Foreign Language Film
• 2009: Won 10 awards of the Japanese Academy
• 2008: Won Grand Prix des Ameriques, Montreal World Film Festival
• 2008: Won Audience Award, Hawaii International Film Festival
• 2009: Won Audience Award, Palm Springs International Film Festival
• 2009: Won Festival Prize, Yokohama Film Festival
• (more, for a total of 34 wins and 5 nominations)

DETAILS:

130 min. In Japanese, with English subtitles. Rated PG-13 for thematic content. In color. 2009 release.

TRAILER AVAILABLE:

Departures

We have been showing independent films since 2005. To date we have shown 60 films. They have varied from inspiringly creative to worldly political, and much in between. You can see the archives for listings by year. We celebrate 5 years of great efforts by the group and our leaders. There is more to be shown. We encourage your support and suggestions.

Visit our ABOUT page to see a little history of how we got started.