o N C E u P O N a t I M E iN aNATOLIA
L
ife in a small town is akin to journeying in the middle of the steppes: the sense that “something new and different” will spring up behind every hill, but always unerringly similar, tapering, vanishing or lingering monotonous roads...
Directed by Nuri Bil g e D
R
I
V
E
directed by Nicolas Winding
T HABEMUS PAPAM ditected by Nanni Moretti
he story of a Hollywood stunt driver by day, a loner by nature who moonlights as a top-notch getaway driverfor-hire in the criminal underworld. He finds himself a target for some of LA’s most dangerous men after agreeing to aid the husband of his beautiful neighbor, Irene. When the job goes dangerously awry, the only way he can keep Irene and her son alive is to do what he does best-Drive.
F
ollowing the death of the Pope, the Conclave meets to elect his successor. A cardinal is chosen who seems unable to bear the weight of such a responsibility. Is it anxiety? Is it depression? Does he feel inadequate? The faithful are waiting for the new Pope to appear on the balcony in St. Peter’s Square. The world is on tenterhooks, while in the Vatican they seek ways to come through the crisis.
HANEZU NO TSUKI
directed by
footnote directed by Joseph
Naomi Kawase
T
he Asuka region is the birthplace of Japan. Here, in ancient times, there were those who fulfilled their lives in the midst of waiting. Modern people, apparently having lost this sense of waiting, seem unable to feel grateful for the present, and cling to the illusion that all things will move constantly forward according to one’s own plan.
Cedar
HARA-KIRI: DEATH OF A SAMURAI Seeking a noble end, poverty-stricken samurai Hanshiro requests to commit ritual suicide at the House of Ii, run by headstrong Kageyu. At the moment of the hara-kiri, Hanshiro makes a last request to be assisted
by Kageyu’s samurai, who are coincidentally absent. Suspicious and outraged, Kageyu demands an explanation. Hanshiro confesses his bond to Motome, and tells the bittersweet tale of their lives.
thebigwhite 11