From the story of the first woman to lead a Muslim nation, to history’s most popular fairytale characters helping a young boy learn to read, to a visionary - “Renaissance woman” -12th century Benedict nun, and to an HR manager who travels across the boondocks of Eastern Europe to meet the bereaved relatives of a murdered employee - Saturday, March 19th will surely be a heartwarming, cinematic experience!
All films on Saturday are Valley Premieres and have not yet been seen in all 300 miles of California’s Central Valley!
Tickets are still available for all shows, directly at the box office. Saturday’s Box Office (3/19) opens at 12:30pm, and closes at 9:15pm.
BHUTTO
Screening: Saturday, March 19, 2011 at 1:00pm at Stockton Empire Theatre
Admission: $8.00 general; $7.00 for members, seniors 65+, students 25-
This is the true story of Benazir Bhutto, the first woman in history to lead a Muslim nation. An array of archival footage and interviews with family members and leading experts brings life to this tale of Shakespearean dimension in the country the Economist calls the World’s most dangerous place.
Directed by Duane Baughman and Johnny O’Hara. In English, 115 minutes. Official Selection: Sundance Film Festival. For more information on “Bhutto” and to view trailer, click here.
ELEANOR’S SECRET
A Film for the Family
Screening: Saturday, March 19, 2011 at 3:00pm at Stockton Empire Theatre
Admission: $8.00 general; $7.00 for kids, members, seniors 65+, students 25-
In this colorfully animated film perfect for youngest audiences, characters from classic fairytales and children’s books come alive to help a young boy learn to read. Nat has fond memories of his eccentric Aunt Eleanor reading to him from her enormous collection of storybooks, but is frustrated and embarrassed by his inability to read the books himself. So he is less than thrilled when his aunt leaves him the keys to her attic library – and he rejects the gift. But just as Nat’s parents are selling the collection to a shady antiques dealer, Nat discovers that the library is magical – the books housed in the attic are all original first editions of history’s most popular fairy tales, and the characters come to life! Now with the help of Alice in Wonderland, the Ogre, Peter Pan and others, he must get back the books and learn to read an ancient spell to keep the characters alive for future generations of children. Eleanor’s Secret is a beautifully designed, rollicking adventure in which a boy’s ability to read not only sets his imagination free, but saves the day!
Directed by Academy Awards nominee Dominique Monféry. In English, 76 minutes. Official Selection: New York International Children’s Film Festival. For more information on “Eleanor’s Secret” and to view trailer, click here.
VISION - FROM THE LIFE OF HILDEGARD VON BINGEN
Screening: Saturday, March 19, 2011 at 5:30pm at Stockton Empire Theatre Admission: $10.00 general; $9.00 for members, seniors 65+, students 25-
12th-century Benedictine nun, Hildegard von Bingen (played by Barbara Sukowa), was truly a woman ahead of her time. A visionary in every sense of the word - she was a composer, philosopher, playwright, poet, naturalist, scientist, physician, herbalist and ecological activist.
Directed by New German Cinema auteur Magarethe Von Trotta. In German with English subtitles, 111 minutes. Official Selection: Toronto International Film Festival, Telluride Film Festival. For more information on “Vision” and to view trailer, click here.
Preceded by the World Premiere of short film: “A Musing” (10 min.), dir. by David Spies (IN PERSON at screening). For more information on “A Musing,” click here.
THE HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER
Screening: Saturday, March 19, 2011 at 8:30pm at Stockton Empire Theatre Admission: $10.00 general; $9.00 for members, seniors 65+, students 25-
Israel’s National Entry to the 2011 Academy Awards. Winner of 5 Israeli Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
The Human Resources Manager of Jerusalem’s largest bakery is in trouble. He is separated from his wife, distanced from his daughter, and stuck in a job he hates. When one of his employees, a foreign worker, is killed in a suicide bombing, the bakery is accused of indifference, and the HR Manager is sent to the victim’s hometown in Romania to make amends. Far from home, on a mission to honor a woman he didn’t even know but has somehow grown to admire, the HR Manager rediscovers his own humanity and his ability to truly care for human resources.
Directed by Eran Riklis (known for “Lemon Tree”)and starring Mark Ivanir. In Hebrew, English and Romanian with English subtitles, 103 min. Official Selection: Locarno International Film Festival, Switzerland. For more information on “The Human Resources Manager” and to view trailer, click here.
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The 4th San Joaquin International Film Festival is the annual program of the San Joaquin Film Society. For information, visit the official website at www.sjiff.org.
