The fall 2007 King's Film Society season kicked off September 25 with the comedy Introducing the Dwights, the first in the fall series of alternative films offered at King's Theatre in Annapolis Royal. The series continues throughout the fall with an extraordinary range of films from Ireland, France, Australia, Italy, and Israel.

In addition to this international film series, the society is also offering a Sunday matinée/film discussion around the theme of a book that has been made into a movie. Called Pages and Popcorn, the drama, Shake Hands with the Devil, starring Roy Dupuis will be the featured film. Even if you have not read the book, we guarantee that the discussion to follow the film will be a lively and provocative one.

OCTOBER 16

A VIE EN ROSE

The film tells the dramatic story of Edith Piaf, France’s greatest songstress. We begin at the height of her career, opening with Piaf’s celebrated 1959 New York performance – just four years before her death. La Vie En Rose cleverly employs a series of flashbacks from Piaf’s tumultuous life while Marion Cotillard, brilliantly portrays the chanteuse’s evolution as the “Sparrow of Paris.”

France, 104 mins., PG. French with English subtitles.

NOVEMBER 6

PARIS JE T’AIME

In PARIS, JE T’AIME 21 filmmakers were asked to focus on the distinctive streets and arrondissements of the City of Light to paint their own portraits. Featuring films by some of the most prominent filmmakers at work today, this portrait of the city is as diverse its creators’ backgrounds and nationalities.

France/German/Switzerland/Liechtenstein, 120 mins., PG. French with English subtitles.

NOVEMBER 20

SWEET MUD

SWEET MUD is a powerful and courageous critique of kibbutz residents who ostracize a psychologically unstable young mother, and of the effects of their prejudice on her youngest son. The film captures the social codes and rhythms of kibbutz life and represents a family’s fraught relationship with the greater community.

Israel/Germany/Japan, 114 mins., 14A. Hebrew with English subtitles.

DECEMBER 4

GOLDEN DOOR

The Mancusos, a Sicilian peasant family, decide to chase the dream of a new beginning. GOLDEN DOOR tells their story as they pack up family and possessions and, despite the objections of their grandmother, turn their backs on their country. The trip will not be an easy one. Physical hardships are certain, but the voyage will also require a new way of thinking.

Italy/France, 12 mins., NR. Italian with English subtitles.

PAGES & POPCORN

Sunday Matinee

November 11

Shake Hands with the Devil. The film is based on Roméo Dallaire’s autobiographical book Shake Hands with the Devil: The Failure of Humanity in Rwanda recounting the personal journey of Dallaire through the 1994 Rwandan Genocide and how Dallaire’s request for more aid went ignored by the United Nations. Many may have seen the 2004 CBC documentary of the same name. Filmed partly in Halifax and in Kigali, Rwanda, this new release stars Roy Dupuis as Dallaire. Discussion will be led by Ern Dick, a film society committee member and film history expert.