Every year, College of DuPage (COD) presents a series of international films from a variety of countries for free viewing. This is a great opportunity for people around the COD community to engage with films and explore different stories from across the globe. Due to the number of big-budget Hollywood films our country produces, it’s less common for some Americans to watch movies made outside the United States, especially films that are not originally in English. There are countless one-of-a-kind international films that deserve to be appreciated by a wide audience for many reasons. This is a prime way to do just that.
The event is called the Global Flick Film Series, and it is sponsored by both COD Study Abroad and the McAninch Arts Center (MAC). It begins on Feb. 4 and runs every Wednesday until March 11. The movies are shown twice during their allotted day, once at 1:30 p.m. and again at 7:30 p.m. The screenings will take place in the MAC. Four of the movies will be shown in the Belushi Performance Hall, while two will be screened in the Playhouse Theatre. The six films selected for viewing are each from different countries around the world and have won a litany of awards.
The films being shown include:
- “September 5” from Germany – Feb. 4 in Belushi Performance Hall
- “I’m Still Here” from Brazil – Feb. 11 in Belushi Performance Hall
- “Made in Bangladesh” from Bangladesh – Feb. 18 in the Playhouse Theatre
- “Anote’s Arc” from the Pacific Islands – Feb. 25 in the Playhouse Theatre
- “Io Capitino” from Senegal, Morocco and Italy – March 4 in Belushi Performance Hall
- “How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies” from Thailand – March 11 in Belushi Performance Hall
The chance to view a series of powerful international films for free should definitely be taken advantage of by anyone who can. I will definitely try to catch a few of these movies while they are showing, particularly “I’m Still Here,” which won the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film at the Oscars last year.
Although it’s less common here than elsewhere, it’s crucial to recognize movies that aren’t produced in the United States for a number of reasons. For one, it allows people to be exposed to different cultures and parts of the world they may not be otherwise familiar with. Movies allow their audiences to immerse themselves in the stories unfolding. It’s an effective way to learn about the history, people and practices of other countries while also digesting a piece of art.
Watching international films is also a great way for people to expand their horizons and taste in movies. You never know what stories you might connect with. Becoming familiar with films from different countries opens up a whole new world of movies to identify with. I can relate to this idea personally. I recently watched “Sentimental Value,” a Norwegian movie nominated for an impressive nine Oscars this year. It’s a touching film about two women grappling with their relationship with their estranged father. I’m extremely grateful I watched it, since I connected with it very deeply. If I had not been open to watching a movie in a different language from a foreign country and culture, I would never have experienced such a heartfelt story that left me reeling for days. The Global Flick Film Series offers a chance for these stories to be heard and for them to reach the people who need them.
For more information about the Global Flick Film Series, visit their webpage. The COD library staff also created a helpful research guide for each of the films, which can be found on their website. It includes discussions of topics and themes, reviews and information about each country the films originate from. You can also view a list of every movie ever screened in the series at COD and find out if the library currently carries them.
