The theme for this year’s Film Festival is Occupation/Resistance. 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.
September 28, 12:00 PM
The Wind That Shakes the Barley (121 minutes)
Set in 1920s Ireland during the War of Independence and the subsequent Civil War, the film follows two brothers who join the Irish Republican Army to fight against British rule. Initially united in their struggle for national liberation, the brothers’ bond is tested when the Anglo-Irish Treaty is signed, splitting the movement between those who accept compromise and those who demand full independence. Their personal loyalty collides with political conviction, leading to tragic consequences.
October 12, 12:00 PM
Army of Shadows (145 minutes)
A stark, somber portrait of the French Resistance during World War II. The film follows Philippe Gerbier, a resistance leader, as he navigates clandestine operations, betrayals, and the crushing weight of Nazi occupation. Through Gerbier and his comrades, the film explores loyalty, courage, and the inevitability of tragedy in the fight against tyranny.
October 19, 12:00 PM
Stalag 17 (120 minutes)
A World War II drama set in a German prisoner-of-war camp. The story follows a group of American airmen held captive, whose attempts to escape are repeatedly foiled. Suspicion grows that there is an informant among them. The cynical and self-serving Sergeant J.J. Sefton becomes the prime suspect, as he openly barters with the guards and profits from his fellow prisoners’ misfortunes. Blending suspense, humor, and social tension, the film is both a gripping mystery and a sharp commentary on trust, survival, and human nature in confinement.
November 30, 12:00 PM
Lucie Aubrac (115 minutes)
Based on the true story of Lucie and Raymond Aubrac, members of the French Resistance during World War II. When Raymond is arrested by the Gestapo in 1943, Lucie—a schoolteacher and young mother—uses her courage, wit, and relentless determination to secure his release. Risking her life against Klaus Barbie, the infamous “Butcher of Lyon,” she orchestrates a daring plan that blends deception, audacity, and love. The film highlights both the personal sacrifices of resistance fighters and the power of Lucie’s devotion, portraying resistance not just as political defiance but as an act of love and humanity.