In its sixth year, the Carnegie Mellon International Film Festival continues to shine a cinematic light on the human faces that reflect the themes that shape and define the world we live in. This year’s Faces of Others festival invites you to examine contemporary issues surrounding the concept of the Other through independent films and documentaries from all over the world. The festival strives to provide an encompassing opportunity to explore the various manifestations of the Other, as well as the elements of alienation, marginality, and distance that are prevalent in their lives.
The Other may belong to a different culture or religion, have a different gender identity, or stand for different values and traditions. The Other can also be a threatening object of our disgust, fear, or desire that provokes us to question the instability and imperfection of ourselves and our world. However, the Other does not always reside outside our own world or outside our own conscious: he/she can be a part of our family, our culture, or even ourselves. By allowing the audience to view Others through the lens of international cinematic traditions, we enable them to place human faces on the Others and perceive the world through their eyes in order to better comprehend the unique challenges and insights the Other presents to ourselves and to the world.
This year’s festival, which is organized by The Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University and Carnegie Mellon Students, will give faces to the concept of the Other through award-winning, international films and documentaries, including selections from the Netherlands, Poland, Africa, Germany, Austria, Romania, Hungary, Greece, Argentina, Brazil, Russia, Norway, China, the Middle East and from our own Pittsburgh! The films will be presented in various venues throughout Pittsburgh, including CMU’s McConomy Auditorium, Melwood Screening Room, Regent Square Theater, Harris Theater, and AMC Loews Waterfront. Each film event is supported by or presented in conjunction with a local or national organization, and many screenings will feature a reception accompanied by food and drink; expert panels with renowned international directors, cast members, or professors; and live performances. These special features create an interactive and all-encompassing experience sure to provoke thought, emotion, and lively discussion.
For the third consecutive year, the festival will also include an International Student Short Film Competition, and student submissions will be accepted until March 10, 2012.
TICKET PRICING: Opening Night (March 22) with Reception: $15/$10 Students and Seniors, Regular Admission: $8/$5, Full Access Festival Pass (Excluding opening night and 3D screening): $50/$25. *A valid student ID must be presented
The Carnegie Mellon International Film Festival is an annual event directed by Jolanta Lion, Assistant Director of the Humanities Center at CMU, and is produced with the help of dedicated contributors from a variety of universities, degree programs, major concentrations, and backgrounds. For additional information about the Student Short Film Competition and the festival in general, please visit our website, www.cmu.edu/faces, or contact Jolanta at jola@cmu.edu or (412) 445-6292.
** “Girl with Black Balloons”
Directed by Corinne van der Borch | US / Netherlands | 2010 | 63 min
March 29, 2012, 7:15pm at Harris Theater
+ Reception and Q&A with Director Corinne van der Borch and Bettina, the main character of the film
