Hello and welcome all to our Winona State Film Series this fall, tied to the university theme of “Resilience.” Resilience is defined by the ability to overcome adversity and show elasticity to continue to fight against the odds. Each film we have chosen for this series will show examples of resilience, as well as work together as a cohesive whole featuring artistic and creative cinematic merit. Film screenings are free admission for all and will be shown on the Winona State campus in the Miller Auditorium (Stark Hall 103).
7:00 pm Tuesday, Oct. 2nd
Resilience: The Science of Stress and the Biology of Hope (Directed by James Redford, 2016)
Kicking off the series is a 2016 documentary with the namesake of the series theme, Resilience. James Redford’s documentary shows the work being done by both medical and education professionals to understand trauma experienced by children as well as the short and long term effects Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have on all forms of health. Researchers have recently discovered a dangerous biological syndrome caused by abuse and neglect during childhood. As the new documentary Resilience reveals, toxic stress can trigger hormones that wreak havoc on the brains and bodies of children, putting them at a greater risk for disease, homelessness, prison time, and early death. This screening will have a panel of child advocacy professionals to discuss issues the film raises: scheduled to appear are Ruth Charles (WSU Social Work), Angela McQuinn (WAPS Social Work), and Kyann Brown (Winona Health Occupational Therapy).
7:00 pm Tuesday, Oct. 9th
Moonlight (Directed by Barry Jenkins, 2016)
Moonlight leads off the feature films in this series and is an excellent transition into character and storylines centering around childhood trauma. Studio A24 found a critical darling and award circuit hit (culminating with a Best Picture win) with the well-crafted coming-of-age drama, and the unique film perfectly captures the resilience needed to rebound in the face of poverty and abuse.
7:00 pm Friday, Oct. 12th
Eight Grade (Directed by Bo Burnham, 2018)
The series continues the theme of resilience necessary for teenage adolescent life, with Bo Burnham’s surprise indie hit of the summer, Eight Grade. An introverted teenage girl tries to survive the last week of her disastrous eighth grade year before leaving to start high school. Much like A24’s indie darling Lady Bird last year, Eight Grade provides a great balance of comedy and emotional heft for a Friday night show.
7:00 PM Monday Oct. 15th
Time for Ilhan (Directed by Norah Shapiro, 2018)
Making the rounds at documentary film festivals this year, Time for Ilhan represents a Minnesota story about the first Somali-American woman to hold political office, Ilhan Omar. The perseverance and resilience shown by Omar in the documentary adds spirit and represents the diverse culture of America.
7:00 pm Tuesday, Oct. 16th
Hunt for the Wilderpeople (Directed by: Taika Waititi, 2016)
Known for his comedic talent behind the camera, Taiki Waititi brings a fun and adventurous film to the middle of our series. Hunt for the Wilderpeople follows a national manhunt ordered for a rebellious kid and his foster uncle who go missing in the wild New Zealand bush.
3:00 pm Sunday, Oct. 21st
The Kid (Directed by Charlie Chaplin, 1921)
Another year, another Chaplin film. This marks the third straight year we have featured a Charlie Chaplin film in our series, and The Kid centers around “The Tramp” caring for a young child even at the expense of other relationships. Serving as a light and fun matinee, The Kid is a perfect dose of classic cinema on a Sunday afternoon and a reminder that Chaplin’s tramp knew well how to develop resilience against life’s indignities.
7:00 pm Tuesday Oct. 23rd
The Shape of Water (Directed by Guillermo del Toro, 2017)
The second Best Picture winner in this series, The Shape of Water is an artistic and cinematic tour-de-force from visual filmmaker Guillermo del Toro. A unique relationship is birthed between a lonely janitor who seeks to free an incarcerated aquatic creature. The Shape of Water provides a blissful aesthetic experience while reinforcing themes of love, compassion, and resilience.
7:00 pm Saturday, Oct. 27th
Won’t You Be My Neighbor? (Directed by Morgan Neville, 2018)
The third and final documentary in the series is one of the most discussed and revered films of the year. Won’t You Be My Neighbor? documents the life of Fred Rogers, beloved child entertainer from the hit PBS show Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. The exclusive look behind-the-scenes shows a genuine man who strove to deliver love, joy, and happiness to all in the world, especially children. This documentary makes for a perfect Saturday night viewing experience for all ages.
7:00 pm Tuesday, Oct. 30th
A Quiet Place (Directed by John Krasinski, 2018)
Our series concludes with our Halloween week special, the horror/suspense thriller A Quiet Place. Actor-director John Krasinski crafts a well designed thriller that features a family who must rely on each other to overcome mysterious creatures that have infiltrated their world. This screening demands a community viewing for all the scares and thrills around every corner.
We will be providing previews and reviews of each film throughout the series. So, be on the lookout for those posts which will include additional information of each film as well as guest speakers, Q&A sessions, and other prizes and opportunities. Follow our Facebook page for last-minute announcements and events.
And see you at the movies!
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