Cheltenham Film Society

The story of Emma and Max, two very different people from two very different worlds, whose accidental meeting changes each other’s life completely. The plot is simple but sincere and the charming details, rural atmosphere and excellent acting lead the audience to think about questions of love, death, moral dilemma and the purpose of life.

Kristin Scott Thomas stars in this BAFTA winning family drama as Juliette, a woman who returns to live with her younger sister Lea and her family after spending 15 years in prison. Initially Juliette struggles to re-establish her life in the outside world but, over time, the icy reserve and deep-seated bitterness that have built up during her incarceration begin to soften.

One night in September 1982, Christian militia members invaded refugee camps in the heart of Beirut and massacred more than three thousand Palestinians while Israeli soldiers surrounded the area. Ari Folman was one of these soldiers. A fully animated Oscar nominated documentary, Waltz With Bashir is Folman's attempt to decipher the horror of that night.

From the director of Central Station and Motorcycle Diaries comes another powerful, moving and thought provoking portrayal of the modern Brazilian experience. Set in luring and often dangerous Sao Paulo, the film tells the story of four brothers who seek redemption from a futureless existence, trying not to subside in to the easy choice of a criminal life.

The Pope's impending visit to a small Uruguayan town stimulates a flurry of activity among the poorest residents who hope to make their fortune by catering to the needs of the 50,000 expected pilgrims. Convinced that his idea is the best, one man uses up his family's hard-earned savings to build a paying toilet. A well told, sweet yet unsentimental story about hope.

Humorously melancholic tale about the unexpected events that befall a soon-to-retire Norwegian train driver. As he prepares for his penultimate day's work, Odd Horten meticulously plans his every move. For 40 years as a train driver on the Oslo to Bergen line, his life has run like clockwork, but that changes after his colleagues throw him an unexpected party at the end of the day.

Drama based on the true story of Salma, a Palestinian widow who has lived on the green-line border between Israel and the West Bank for decades. When the new Israeli Defence Minister moves in next door, the Israeli security forces declare her lemon grove a threat to his safety and issue orders to have it uprooted; but they have not reckoned on Salma’s grit and determination.

When Trudi discovers her husband is terminally ill, she convinces him to go with her to see their children in Berlin. But the trip proves to be far more revealing than anyone expected. A tender, tearful tale with delicate optimism and a sense that every moment is worth grabbing, even if - like the petals of the title - those moments are forever floating out of reach.

The tense environment of a tough inner-city school where cultures and attitudes clash is revealed in this award-winning drama based on François Bégaudeau’s best-selling novel Between the Walls. Bégaudeau stars as an idealistic teacher of a class of unruly 15 year-olds whose spiky independence is a constant challenge to his often unconventional teaching methods.

When Ryuhei Sasaki is unceremoniously dumped from his safe company job, his family's happy, humdrum life is put at risk. Unwilling to accept the shame of unemployment, he decides not to tell anyone. Instead he leaves home each morning in his suit and tie, searching for work and lining up for soup with the homeless. Outstanding performances and elegant direction.

In an attempt to engage his students in politics,
a high school teacher takes the controversial decision to turn the classroom into a Nazi-style dictatorship.
But what starts out as an innocent social experiment ends in tragedy when the roots of fascism begin to take hold of the students. Before long, notions of discipline and community give way to more sinister ideals.

It's been 16 years since the Revolution and Christmas is
approaching. Piscoci, an old retiree, is preparing for another lonely holiday. Manescu, a history teacher, tries to keep up with his debts. Jderescu, the owner of the local TV station, doesn't seem very interested in the holidays; he wants to find an answer to a question - did a revolution really take place in their city?