After a two year hiatus, the Film Festival returns to the Venice Hongwanji Buddhist Temple. This year’s theme is Disobedience. The Film Festival will run every other Sunday from March 26 through May 7, starting at 11:30AM.
Light refreshments will be available and a short discussion will follow each film. Cost is free, donations gladly accepted. For more information about the Venice Hongwanji Buddhist Film Festival, contact Richard Modiano or Judy Hopfield.
March 26
Roma, città aperta [Open City] (1945, Italy. 105 minutes)
Resistance leader Luigi Ferrari is pursued by the Gestapo who want the names of others in the underground movement. Ferrari enlists the help of sympathetic priest Don Pietro Pellegrini to pass on funds to the fighters in case he is captured.
Awards: Cannes Film Festival (Grand Prize of the Festival); Oscar Nominee for Best Writing, Screenplay
April 9
上意討ち(Rebellion)[Samurai Rebellion] (Japan, 1967. 125 minutes)
Samurai Isaburo Sasahara (Toshirô Mifune) faces the wrath of his clan when he exhibits disobedience in favor of what is right. When the ruling lord forces his son, Ichi (Gô Katô), and his unwanted mistress (Yoko Tsukasa) into marriage, the two fall in love despite all expectations. However, when the callous ruler requests Ichi’s return only two years later, Sasahara, unwilling to see his son and daughter-in-law torn apart, is prepared to fight for their union.
Awards: Sutherland Trophy, Mainichi Eiga Concours Award for Best Film
April 23
A Hidden Life (USA, 2019. 174 minutes)
Austrian farmer Franz Jagerstatter faces persecution and the threat of execution for refusing to fight for the Nazis during World War II. Based on a true story.
Awards: Cannes Film Festival (François Chalais Award, Prize of the Ecumenical Jury, and Palme d’Or)
May 7
Fahrenheit 451 (France-UK, 1966. 112 minutes)
In an oppressive future, a fireman whose duty is to destroy all books begins to question his task.