FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (9/05)
Contact: Jefferson Hendricks, Faculty Adviser to the Centenary Film Society, 318-869-5254, or Lynn Stewart, Centenary News Service, 318-841-7265

Centenary Film Society Announces Fall 2005 Season

SHREVEPORT, LA — The Centenary Film Society announces its fall season, which features eight internationally acclaimed films. The films will be screened in Mickle Hall's Carlile Auditorium, Room 114 on the Centenary College campus. Films begin at 7 p.m. and are free and open to the public.

Sept. 6 & 8: Downfall (Germany, 2004. Dir. Oliver Hirschbiegel. in German & Russian w/subtitles. 156 mins.)
It is the spring of 1945, and the Russians are advancing towards Berlin. Hitler and his staff take shelter in a large bunker complex located in the heart of the city. Based partially on the memoirs of his personal secretary, Traudl Junge, Downfall recounts the last days of Adolf Hitler, Eva Braun and the rest of the staff as they face inevitable defeat. Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Film.

Sept. 13 & 15: Stage Beauty (UK, 2004. Dir. Richard Eyre. in English. 110 mins.)
In the 1660s, men played all the roles in British theatre, portraying even the female characters. Actor Ned Kynaston (Billy Crudup) was the most beautiful and skilled female lead in England. Then one day Charles II allows real women to take the stage. Ned’s ex-dresser, Maria (Claire Danes), takes over his parts and attempts to pull him out of his depression after he loses his celebrity status.

Sept. 27 & 29: Keys to the House (Italy, 2004. Dir. Gianni Amelio. in Italian w/subtitles. 105 mins.)
As a young man Gianna abandoned his physically and psychologically disabled son, Paolo. After fifteen years of estrangement, he meets his son for the first time. Gianna decides to take his son to Berlin for medical treatment, and they begin to form a lasting relationship. Winner of three awards at the Venice Film Festival.

Oct. 4 & 6: Schultze Gets the Blues (Germany, 2003. Dir. Michael Schorr. in German w/subtitles. 114 mins.)
After entering a forced retirement, Schultze spends his days napping, arguing about the rules of chess and playing the accordion. Then one night he hears zydeco music on the radio and infuses his normal German polka rhythms with the Louisiana music. Schultze soon travels from Germany to the states and finally Louisiana, where he tries to renew his life through Louisiana’s lively musical culture. Winner of over 11 awards at international film festivals.

Oct. 18 & 20: What the !@#$% Do We Know? (USA, 2004. Dirs. William Arntz, Betsy Chasse, Mark Vicente. in English. 108 mins.)
A pseudo-documentary, the film follows Amanda, a divorced photographer who is frustrated with her life and watches it unravel to reveal the quantum worlds beneath reality. Meanwhile, physicists, biologists, neurologists and philosophers provide commentary for the narrative and discuss our perception of reality.

Oct. 25 & 27: A Very Long Engagement (France, 2004. Dir. Jean-Pierre Jeunet. in French w/subtitles. 134 mins.)
During WWI, five men purposefully injure themselves in an attempt to escape frontline duty. As punishment, they are left in the middle of no-man’s land. Months later, Mathilde (Audrey Tatu), a young woman who was engaged to one of the deserted soldiers, gets word that her fiancé is still alive. She embarks on a journey to discover the truth and find her lost love. Winner of several international awards and nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Film.

Nov. 1 & 3: Undertow (USA, 2004. Dir. David Gordon Green. in English. 108 mins.)
Brothers Chris and Tim live in rural Georgia with their father, John (Dermot Mulroney). Chris acts out in rebellion as his father mourns the loss of his dead wife. John’s brother, Deel, disturbs their quiet life when he arrives claiming his half of the Mexican gold coins their father left them. Soon the boys are forced to flee and begin a trip across the Southern landscape.

Nov. 8 & 10: The Woodsman (USA, 2004. Dir. Nicole Kassell. in English. 87 mins.)
After twelve years in jail as a convicted pedophile, Walter (Kevin Bacon) returns to his hometown. He attempts to start a new life, moving into an apartment, taking a job in a lumberyard and dating a fork-lift operator named Vickie (Kyra Sedgewick). His past continues to haunt him as he tries to form relationships and gain some semblance of redemption.

Nov. 15 & 17: A Love Song for Bobby Long (USA, 2004. Dir. Shainee Gabel. in English. 119 mins.)
After Pursy Will (Scarlett Johansson) hears about her mother’s death, she returns to her childhood home in New Orleans. To her surprise she finds Bobby Long (John Travolta), a perpetually drunk ex-professor, and his protégée, Lawson Pines, residing in the house. They claim to have partial rights to the house and refuse to leave. Pursy moves in and shines a critical light on their lazy routines as they help her discover new possibilities.

Since 1983, the Centenary Film Society has exhibited international, independent and classic Hollywood films to the greater Shreveport-Bossier community. The Society's 2005-06 season is co-sponsored by the Robinson Film Center, a local, non-profit film center that exhibits international, independent and classic films and promotes film education and production.

For more information about the Centenary Film Society, see http://www.centenary.edu/life/film/. For more information on the Robinson Film Center, go to http://robinsonfilmcenter.org or call 318-424-9090.

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