Mystery International Film Screening
Welcome to the second edition of Manchester Central Library’s International Film Club’s Mystery Screening series.
Event Details:
• Doors open: 17:15
• Introduction to the film: 17:30
• Film starts: 17:40
• Entry: Pay what you can (recommended donation of £3)
• Popcorn: FREE!
• Drinks: Grab a coffee, tea, or soft drink from the fully stocked café!
At the Film Society, we aim to bring you the very best of global cinema— hoping to shine a light on underseen gems from around the world —enriching our collective film knowledge and experience. To make it even more exciting, each month you’ll have the chance to vote on 5 fantastic films, and the one with the most votes will be screened with the winner being revealed at the start of the event.
YOU CAN VOTE FOR YOUR FAVOURITE FILM HERE.
To help you choose, there’s more information about this month’s contenders here:
Murina 2021, Croatia
Platformed by Martin Scorsese, this debut feature from Croatian filmmaker Antoneta Alamat Kusijanović, is the story of a young girls struggle for self-determination against the wills of her controlling father. Set against the gorgeous but brutal and rugged scenery of the Adriatic Coast, the film sees Julija search for agency after her family dynamic is turned upside down by the arrival of an old family friend, Javier, whom Julija thinks could offer the chance at an escape from her circumstance. A complex film filled with jealousy, rebellion and troubling desires all in support of the often-painful journey of young adulthood – beautifully photographed against a sea that is just as troubling, painful and absolutely gorgeous.
Interview 1971, India
A formally fascinating Bengali film set against the hustle and bustle of the evolving landscape of early 70s Calcutta. Mrinal Sen’s film focuses on the difficulties of economic betterment in a culture still affected by the lingering ghost of colonial hangover as his quest to prepare for a job interview by getting a suit to wear is met by comically unyielding hardship. Using the raw techniques capitulated in Italy and France, Sen blends fiction and documentary to create a critique of a society with ideals firmly routed in the past yet focused on the future. Engaging, provoking and inspiring.
Yeelen 1987, Mali
From a legend of the Bambara people director Souleymane Cisse crafts a film that would be the Winner of the Jury Prize at Cannes Film Festival. Father and son go head-
to-head in a mythical chase across the 13th Century Mali Empire. Magic and destiny pulse through this fantastic film as do beautiful images and rugged landscapes as life and death, destiny and determination, and dark and light are explored in this one-of-a-kind filmic experience. The films storytelling is compelling and original, creating a modern myth of the old world inspired by folklore and history in equal sway. You’ve seen films about folklore and magic before but never like this and never this departed from the usual Hollywood presentation of such ideas.
Walking the Streets of Moscow 1964, USSR
Valodya, a young Siberian writer embarks on a trip to Moscow where he immediately bonds with the charismatic Kolya. Simple joys of a now forgotten era abound in this beloved Soviet comedy that is emblematic of the cultural shift that occurred during the period known as the Khrushchev thaw, with societal and cultural restrictions loosening and becoming freer. Focusing on the city with its many wide boulevards and intimate alleys and all the various quirky characters that are encountered along the way. Creating a picture of a Soviet people that are lively and joyous and from a diverse array of backgrounds. It also looks inwards at youth and the fleeting moments that define a lifetime to create a piece that elicits a nostalgic quality even if we were not there to experience it firsthand.
Peking Opera Blues 1986, Hong Kong
A witty ensemble action comedy that explores gender roles and challenges traditional norms against the backdrop of early 20th century China and the rich history of the Peking opera directed by one of the most dynamic filmmakers in Hong Kong’s storied film history. A jewel thief, a revolutionary and the daughter of an opera house owner collide in a quest for stolen jewels in this rollercoaster action adventure that is a total blast from beginning to end. Showcasing the lush costumes, makeup and traditions of the Peking Opera while also telling a high-intensity, female-focused adventure make this a must watch for people looking to explore Hong Kong cinema.
