Film Society
2025–2026
Ten Fridays/Saturdays of film for $35
All Showings at Smith Theatre, Howard Community College
A Real Pain
September 26–27
5:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.
This weekend, we open our season with a road trip of memory, humor, and unresolved grief. Join us as Jesse Eisenberg takes us on a journey through Poland with two cousins, one shared loss, and more baggage than fits in a suitcase. Directed by Jesse Eisenberg, this poignant dramedy follows mismatched cousins who reunite for a tour through Poland to honor their late grandmother. As old tensions resurface, the journey becomes a moving exploration of grief, memory, and family connection. Recognized for its emotional depth and strong performances.
In English with English subtitles
Runtime: 94 min
Universal Language
October 17–18
5:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.
Ever wonder what Winnipeg would look like if it dreamed in Farsi? This surreal and heartwarming gem blends Canadian oddity with Iranian soul, crafting a cinematic poem about culture, connection, and quiet rebellion.
Directed by Matthew Rankin, this surreal cultural mosaic intertwines Iranian and Canadian identities, where Winnipeg becomes a dreamlike reflection of Iran. The film blends poetic realism with absurdist comedy, creating a warm, visually inventive experience that defies convention.
In French and Farsi with English subtitles.
Runtime: 97 min
Thelma
November 7–8
5:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.
Move over, Mission: Impossible—June Squibb is on a mission of her own. Equal parts comedy and caper, Thelma proves you’re never too old to fight back… especially when you’ve been scammed.
Directed by Josh Margolin, this comedy-drama stars June Squibb as a 93-year-old woman on a mission to track down the scammer who stole her money. What follows is a humorous and heartfelt road trip of unexpected grit and surprising charm. Celebrated for its humor, pacing, and standout performances.
In English with English subtitles.
Runtime: 97 min
All We Imagine as Light
January 9–10
5:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.
Softly luminous and quietly powerful, this Cannes-winning film gives voice to the inner lives of women navigating Mumbai’s ever-shifting cityscape. Come for the beauty—stay for the ache beneath it.
Directed by Payal Kapadia, this lyrical drama portrays the quiet, interconnected lives of women navigating love, work, and displacement in modern-day Mumbai. Acclaimed for its poetic storytelling, it won the prestigious Grand Prix at the 77th Cannes Film Festival.
In Malayalam, Hindi, Marathi with English subtitles.
Runtime: 116 min
La Chimera
January 30–31
5:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.
Dreams, tombs, and buried longing. This haunting tale from Italy’s Alice Rohrwacher blends myth and dirt, memory and magic. Watch where you dig—you might unearth more than bones.
Directed by Alice Rohrwacher, this dreamlike tale follows a young English archaeologist entangled in illegal tomb raiding in 1980s Tuscany. A richly textured meditation on love, loss, and what lies beneath the surface. Noted for its magical realism and masterful direction.
In Italian, English, French, Brazilian Portuguese with English subtitles.
Runtime: 133 min
Green Border
February 27–28
5:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.
Raw, riveting, and deeply humane. This urgent film plunges us into the moral complexity of the refugee crisis, reminding us that borders aren’t just geographic—they’re deeply human.
Directed by Agnieszka Holland, this urgent political drama confronts the refugee crisis at the Poland-Belarus border. Through intimate character stories, it offers a searing indictment of cruelty and indifference, while championing human dignity. Praised for its powerful storytelling and moral clarity.
In Polish, Arabic, English, French with English subtitles.
Runtime: 147 min
Inshallah a Boy
March 20–21
5:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.
What happens when the law says you don’t count? This gripping drama puts one woman at the center of a quiet revolution, where survival means bending the rules—and sometimes breaking them.
Directed by Amjad Al Rasheed, this compelling debut follows Nawal, a newly widowed mother in Jordan who discovers she may lose her home because she has no son. As she navigates the country’s inheritance laws, the film builds a portrait of resistance, dignity, and a system overdue for change. Jordan’s entry for the 2024 Academy Awards, and a standout on the global festival circuit.
In Arabic with English subtitles.
Runtime: 113 min
The Ballad of Wallis Island
April 10–11
5:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.
A remote island, a reclusive millionaire, and a band reunion that no one asked for—but everyone needs. This British comedy plays its notes on nostalgia, regret, and the redemptive power of music.
Directed by James Griffiths, this heartwarming British comedy follows Charles (Tim Key), an eccentric lottery winner who lives alone on a remote island and dreams of reuniting his favorite musicians, McGwyer and Mortimer (Tom Basden and Carey Mulligan), for a private concert. As the former bandmates and lovers accept his invitation, old tensions resurface, leading to a poignant exploration of nostalgia, regret, and the healing power of music. Praised for its charm and wit, the film offers a delightful blend of humor and emotional depth.
In English with English subtitles.
Runtime: 99 min
The Friend
May 15–16
5:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.
A towering dog, a final gift, and a quiet writer’s unexpected awakening. This moving adaptation walks the fine line between grief and grace.
Directed by Scott McGehee and David Siegel, this introspective drama stars Naomi Watts as Iris, a solitary New York writer whose life is upended when her close friend and mentor, Walter (Bill Murray), dies and bequeaths her his 150-pound Great Dane, Apollo. As Iris navigates grief and the challenges of caring for the imposing dog, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery and healing. Adapted from Sigrid Nunez's acclaimed novel, the film delves into themes of loss, companionship, and the complexities of human-animal relationships, offering a nuanced and emotionally resonant narrative.
In English with English subtitles.
Runtime: 108 min
The Librarians
June 5–6
5:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.
We close our season with real-life heroes: librarians standing tall against book bans, censorship, and the growing war on ideas. This Sundance documentary reminds us that freedom of thought isn’t just a value—it’s a fight.
A 2025 Sundance documentary chronicling a growing movement of librarians on the front lines of the American culture wars. From Texas to Florida, these defenders of intellectual freedom confront censorship, book bans, and political pressure with courage and grace. A timely, inspiring portrait of resistance and resolve.
In English with English subtitles.
Runtime: 92 min