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NEW ON DVD: ORDINARY PEOPLE and THE SHAFT!

By The Global Film Initiative, on September 27th, 2011
Serbian War Drama ORDINARY PEOPLE and Zhang Chi’s Rural Triptych THE SHAFT to release on DVD September 27th 

The Global Film Initiative is pleased to announce the DVD release of two new films from the Global Lens film series:

Dir. Vladimir Perisic
Serbia, 2009, 79 minutes
Serbian, with subtitles in English    
One quiet afternoon, a busload of young soldiers is unexpectedly forced to question the morality of their profession after being enlisted to execute civilian prisoners at a remote facility in the countryside. Cannes Semaine de la Critique and FIPRESCI Prize, Sarajevo Film Festival.
 
“A laureate of Cannes’ Cinéfondation program, Perisic pushes the viewer to search for meaning or morality behind his character’s acts—but the only conclusion seems to be that such acts are hopeless, unfathomable and beyond human control.” -Variety

“Quietly devastating, a slow burning fuse that ends with an implosion of heart and mind.“ -The Brag

THE SHAFT (DIXIA DE TIANKONG) 
Dir. Zhang Chi  
China, 2008, 98 minutes
Mandarin, with subtitles in English
In three intertwined stories, a father, son and daughter fight to hold onto hope and family as they face the harsh realities of life in a poor western Chinese mining town. New Directors/New Films and NETPAC Award, Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival.

“A superb debut, achingly gorgeous….Graceful camera movements and striking compositions offset the dungeon that controls their life. Each time the elevator shaft descends, another layer of their dreams disappears.” -indieWire

“Tight and tender, this small family drama is so visually expressive that listening is always subordinate to looking.” -The New York Times

ORDINARY PEOPLE and THE SHAFT toured as part of the Global Lens 2010 film series and appeared in venues, festivals and theatrical locations throughout the U.S. and Canada. ORDINARY PEOPLE was also awarded the Cineuropa Prize at the Miami International Film Festival for its “universal and philosophical resonance.” THE SHAFT—Zhang Chi’s debut feature—was awarded the Special Jury Prize at the Marrakech International Film Festival and Best Director at the Bogotá International Film Festival. Both DVDs will be available for purchase through the Global Film Initiative website on September 27th.

Upcoming DVD releases from the Global Film Initiative:

LEO’S ROOM (EL CUARTO DE LEO)     
Dir. Enrique Buchichio                           
Uruguay, 2009, 92 minutes                                    
Spanish, with subtitles in English
Shaken by a recent breakup, a troubled but handsome young man dreams of the future and cautiously explores his sexuality with the encouragement of an old friend and a sympathetic therapist. Special Jury Award, Torino GLBT Film Festival and Official Selection of San Sebastián International Film Festival (New Directors), NewFest and Miami International Film Festival.

OCEAN OF AN OLD MAN
Dir. Rajesh Shera
India, 2008, 84 minutes
Hindi, with subtitles in English  
In the devastating aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, an elderly British schoolteacher comes to grips with his own loss as he searches for missing students on the remote Indian islands of Andaman and Nicobar. Best Cinematography, International Film Festival Ahmedabad and Official Selection of Pusan International Film Festival (New Currents), Cairo International Film Festival and International Film Festival of Kerala.

 

Other recent DVD releases from the Global Film Initiative: 

MASQUERADES (MASCARADES)
Dir. Lyes Salem   
Algeria, 2008, 92 minutes  
Arabic, with subtitles in English 
In a dusty Algerian village, a well-intentioned fib suddenly turns a gardener into a mogul, forcing him to choose between the happiness of his narcoleptic sister and his newfound celebrity. Official Algeria Submission for Best Foreign Language Film, 81st Academy Awards and FIPRESCI Prize, Dubai International Film Festival.

 

SHIRLEY ADAMS
Dir. Oliver Hermanus
South Africa, 2009, 92 minutes  
English and Afrikaans, with subtitles in English 
In the depressed Cape Town neighborhood of Cape Flats, a single mother contemplates her fate and cautiously accepts the help of an overeager social worker as she struggles to care for her paraplegic and suicidal son. Best Director and Best Actress, South African Film and Television Awards and Best Actress, FESPACO 2010. 

 

All proceeds from the Global Lens film series support international filmmaker grants, educational programming and resources, touring film exhibitions and other philanthropic initiatives and programs sponsored by the Global Film Initiative.

Order from the Global Film Initiative catalogue now!

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Asia, Distribution, Eastern Europe, Europe, Films, Global Lens, Home Video, News, Topics, War & Conflict   china, dvd releases, mining, ordinary people, serbia, the shaft, vladimir perisic, war, zhang chi  
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