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As globalization shrinks the world, questions about cultural identity and cross-cultural interaction grow more rare. To inspire and encourage discussion of these issues, the International Affairs Program will present three exceptional motion pictures from three different countries as part of their first International Film Festival this week.
“We’d like to broaden cultural awareness,” explained event coordinator Adam Kuykendall, “so we wanted to choose international films that are not only seriously entertaining but also work within a theme and make a point. Hopefully they’ll also raise questions and open up a dialogue with the audience.”
The films that made the cut are India’s “The Big City” (1963), Guatemala’s “El Norte” (1983) and Cuba’s “I Am Cuba” (1962). Each will be presented free of charge at 7 p.m. on separate evenings, beginning with “The Big City” Wednesday in DPC 100.
“We thought that would be a good way to open the festival,” says Kuykendall. “This film initially follows a format that is similar to American films, but doesn’t end in a way that Americans normally think of as happy.”
Directed by Satyajit Ray – “the Coppola of India,” said Kuykendall – “The Big City” tells the story of a young Hindu woman forced to sell sewing machines door-to-door to help her husband support their family, which includes not only their children but also his parents. The family, however, is not pleased with this situation. The young woman must live with their disapproval and constant complaints while she struggles against other, outside obstacles. The “beautifully photographed” film has a surprise ending, and Kuykendall said it was “part of the reason we chose it.”
“El Norte” will be presented Thursday in Neville 100. A parable about migrants in the United States and the American Dream, “El Norte” chronicles the experiences of a Guatemalan brother and sister who leave their homeland to escape its economic strife. They come to Los Angeles seeking a better life, but soon discover that the place they ran to is not much different than the place they left behind.
“Our theme this year explores work and how work is addressed in various countries,” said Kuykendall. The frank depiction in “El Norte” of the contrast between immigrants’ hopes and their reality expands on this idea.
The final film in the series will be presented Friday in DPC 100. “I Am Cuba” is a Communist propaganda film that recalls the various walks of Cuban life during Castro’s rise to power. Decidedly anti-American, and made just two years after the Cuban Missile Crisis, the film is an intriguing portrait of all aspects of Cuban society, and an absorbing account of all the repression that was building up to revolution. It’s also an unusually advanced film, with some cinematography that Kuykendall calls “superior to anything being made today.”
Guest speakers will accompany two of the films. Prof. Douglas Allen of the Philosophy Department will speak at the presentation of “The Big City,” and Associate Dean of Students and Community Life Angel Loredo will speak at the presentation of “El Norte.” Kuykendall said he feels the addition of guest speakers will encourage more lively and engaging discussion about the films and the issues they raise.
“We want people to watch these films not just as Americans but as citizens of the world,” said Kuykendall. “The whole process of globalization emphasizes the `oneness’ of the world, but at the same time no one wants to lose their culture. With this festival, we’re trying to use a medium that we all know and love as a vehicle for sharing the experience of other cultures. That way, we can learn to understand and embrace them as we move forward into this thing together.”
