HUNTINGTON – Take a cinematic trip around the world as the Marshall Artists Series Fall International Film Festival returns to the historic Keith Albee Performing Arts Center Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 21-24. The festival features six critically-acclaimed films from around the world – Norway, France, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, Italy, and the USA.
Passes for all six films are $45 available in advance by calling 304-696-6656. Tickets to individual films are $10 and sold 15 minutes before the film at the Keith Albee. Tickets are free to full-time Marshall University students with a valid student ID.
Here’s a closer look at the films being shown at the Fall International Film Fest.
“Little Girl” (France) shows at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 21 and at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23.
A moving portrait of 7-year-old Sasha, who has always known that she is a girl, and her family, newly accepting, are embracing their daughter for who she truly is. This film documents a compassionate look at the emotional challenges, everyday feats, and small moments in Sasha’s daily life in a community not as quick to adapt. French with English subtitles, 1 hr. 30 minutes. A 100 percent fresh rating on www.rottentomatoes.com.
“The Truffle Hunters” (Italy) shows at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 21 and at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 23.
The Oscar-nominated documentary takes place deep in the forests of Piedmont Italy. A handful of men, seventy to eighty years young, search for the rare and expensive white Alba truffle. Truffle hunting is a secret culture with training passed down through generations and guided by the noses of their expertly trained and cherished dogs. These men live a simpler, slower way of life, in harmony with their loyal animals and their picture-perfect land, seemingly straight out of a fairy tale. Italian with English subtitles, 1 hr. 24 minutes. A 97 percent fresh rating on www.rottentomatoes.com.
“Gunda” (Norway) shows at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 22 and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24
Chronicles the unfiltered lives of a mother pig, a flock of chickens, and a herd of cows with masterful intimacy. Using stark, transcendent black and white cinematography and the farm’s ambient soundtrack, the audience is invited to slow down and experience life as his subjects do, taking in their world with a magical patience and another worldly perspective. Not presented with language, 1 hr. 33 minutes. A 97 percent fresh rating on www.rottentomatoes.com.
“The Perfect Candidate” (Saudi Arabia) shows at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22 and at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24.
A revealing look at the changing roles of women in Saudi Arabia, “The Perfect Candidate” follows Maryam, a determined young doctor who runs for city council after the male incumbent repeatedly ignores her request to fix the muddy road leading to her clinic. Despite her father and her community’s struggle to accept her as their town’s first female candidate, Maryam’s creative and ambitious campaign builds momentum, becoming a symbol for a larger movement. Arabic with English subtitles, 1hr. 44 minutes. A 93 percent fresh rating on www.rottentomatoes.com.
“Nine Days” (USA) shows at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22 and at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23
“Nine Days” follows a man named Will who interviews prospective candidates – personalities of human souls – for the privilege he once had; to be born. During the course of nine days, Will puts five contenders to the test but only one can be chosen. The victor will be rewarded with the opportunity to become a newborn in the real world, while others will cease to exist. English, 2 hr. 4 minutes. An 88 percent fresh rating on www.rottentomatoes.com.
“Twilight’s Kiss” (Hong Kong) shows at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23 and at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24.
The story of two closeted married men in their twilight years. One day PAK, 70, a taxi driver who refuses to retire, meets HOI, 65, a retired single father, in a park. Despite years of societal and personal pressure, they are proud of the families they have created through hard work and determination. Yet in that brief initial encounter, something is unleashed in them which had been suppressed for many years. Cantonese with English subtitles, 1hr. 32 minutes. A 100 percent fresh rating on www.rottentomatoes.com.
The 2021 Fall International Film Festival is sponsored by Farrell, White and Legg PLLC, ZMM Architects, and Reger Funeral Home, iHeartRadio, WSAZ, and The Herald Dispatch.
During the Fall International Film Festival, the number one priority is to keep everyone in the theatre safe, so we will be following current pandemic safety protocols. Patrons will be required to wear a mask while indoors at the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center when not consuming food and beverages. All protocols and safety measures are subject to change in response to developing state and public health standards and best practices
To view movie trailers and to download the film schedule visit www.marshallartisseries.org.
