Oregon State University
News and Communication Services

12-31-96
By Mark Floyd, 541-737-0788
SOURCE: Center for the Humanities, 541-737-2450

CORVALLIS - Ten films made in 1996 by directors from Europe and the United States highlight the winter term schedule of Oregon State University's International Film Series.

Opening the schedule is a teen movie by - of all people - renowned filmmaker Bernardo Bertolucci called "Stealing Beauty." The Italian director, best known for his Academy Award-winning "The Last Emperor" and the critically acclaimed "Last Tango in Paris," remains true to his style with a film heavily into passion, atmosphere and breathtaking cinematography.

"Stealing Beauty," however, also offers a pop music soundtrack and a young star in Liv Tyler, and tackles the timeless story of first love. The film will be shown Jan. 10-11.

Other films of note in the winter term schedule include "Looking for Richard," about the staging of a Shakespearean play, directed by Al Pacino and featuring a plethora of noted actors; "The Funeral," a film about three brothers trapped in a life of crime, by up-and-coming director Abel Ferrara; and "Persuasion," based on the final novel by Jane Austen.

All films in the series are shown at Gilfillan Auditorium in OSU's Wilkinson Hall. Cost is $3.

The series is sponsored by OSU's Center for the Humanities and the Department of English.

The entire winter term schedule follows: Jan. 10-11

"Stealing Beauty," by Bernardo Bertolucci (Italy, 1996) - An atmospheric and passionate tale about first love, featuring young star Liv Tyler; from the director of "The Last Emperor" and "Last Tango in Paris." Friday and Saturday, 7 and 9 p.m.

Jan. 17-18

"Denise Calls Up," by Hal Salwen (U.S.A., 1996) - A Generation X film about six young adults - obsessed with work and bound to their apartments - who sustain their friendship via the telephone. Friday and Saturday, 7 and 9 p.m.

Jan. 24-25

"Small Faces," by Gillie MacKinnon (Scotland, 1996) - The semi-autobiographical tale of three brothers growing up in the 1960s on the streets of Glasgow, playing pranks and mixing gang warfare, family ties and peer pressure - all punctuated with a compelling soundtrack. Friday and Saturday, 7 and 9 p.m.

Jan. 31 - Feb. 1 "Celestial Clockwork," by Fina Torres (France-Venezuela, 1996) - An offbeat farce about Ana, an innocent, wide-eyed South American woman who leaves her boyfriend at the altar in favor of an uncertain but entertaining life in Paris. One critic called it "Cinderella with a salsa beat." Friday and Saturday, 7 and 9 p.m.

Feb. 7-8

"Persuasion," by Roger Mitchell (Great Britain, 1996) - 1996 was the year of Jane Austen in the film business and "Persuasion" - shot with the smallest budget - enjoyed perhaps the best reviews. Based on Austen's last novel. Friday and Saturday, 7 and 9 p.m.

Feb. 14-15

"Three Lives and Only One Death," by Raul Ruiz (France, 1996) - A sophisticated comedy featuring the late Marcello Mastroianni in one of his last roles, the film was directed by Ruiz, a Chilean exile now living in Paris. Friday and Saturday, 7 and 9:30 p.m.

Feb. 21-22

"Nelly and Mr. Arnaud," by Claude Sautet (France, 1996) - A complex yet elegant romantic comedy, "Nelly" is about a young woman (Emmanuelle Beart) no longer in love with her husband, and the much older gentleman (Michel Serrault) who falls hopelessly in love with her. Friday and Saturday, 7 and 9 p.m.

Feb. 28 - March 1 "Breaking the Waves," by Lars von Trier (Scotland, 1996) -Winner of the Grand Prix and the 1995 Cannes Film Festival, the film is about a man who is crippled in an accident who talks is wife into taking a lover by day, and talking dirty to him by night. Friday and Saturday, 7 and 10 p.m.

March 7-8

"The Funeral," by Abel Ferrara (U.S.A., 1996) - A fairly straightforward gangster picture about three brothers trapped in the life, "The Funeral" gets a boost from the art direction of up-and-comer Ferrara, who has been called the next young Scorsese. Stars Christopher Walken, Chris Penn, Isabella Rossellini and Annabella Sciorra. Friday and Saturday, 7 and 9 p.m.

March 14-15

"Looking for Richard," by Al Pacino (U.S.A., 1996) - A film about the making of Shakespeare's "Richard III" and the clever, compelling staging of key scenes from the play-within-a-play. The film features a large, impressive cast, including Winona Ryder, James Earl Jones, Vanessa Redgrave, Sir John Gielgud, Kevin Spacey, Sir Derek Jacobi, Kenneth Branagh, and Kevin Kline. Friday and Saturday, 7 and 9 p.m.