The Hope College Knickerbocker Theatre will feature six foreign and independent films during its Spring Film Series running April-June.
The series will open with “Haute Cuisine” on Monday-Saturday, April 6-11; “Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem” on Monday-Saturday, April 13-18; and “Noble” on Monday-Saturday, May 11-16. All three films will begin at 7:30 p.m.
“Haute Cuisine,” a biography/comedy, tells the story of Hortense Laborie (Catherine Frot), a renowned chef from Perigord, who is astonished when the President of the Republic (Jean d'Ormesson) appoints her his personal cook, responsible for creating all his meals at the Elysee Palace. Despite jealous resentment from the other kitchen staff, Hortense quickly establishes herself, thanks to her indomitable spirit. The authenticity of her cooking soon seduces the President, but the corridors of power are littered with traps. The film is rated PG-13 and is in French with English subtitles.
“Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem” is an award-winning drama set in Israel that centers on Viviane Amsalem and her multi-year fight for freedom from her marriage. In Israel, only rabbis can legitimatize a marriage or its dissolution, and Ansalem’s husband will not agree to a divorce. Winning 13 awards, including the Art Cinema Award, from the 2014 Hamburg Film Festival, and the 2014 Best Film Award, from the Israeli Film Academy. “Gett” was also nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 2015 Golden Globes. The film is not rated, and is in Hebrew, French, and Arabic with English subtitles.
“Noble” is the true story of Christina Noble, who is driven by her daring vision to escape the slums of Ireland and risk everything on the streets of Vietnam. Written and directed by Stephen Bradley, “Noble” is the winner of six U.S. film festival awards, including the Panavision Spirit Award at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Critics have called the drama “raw and genuinely powerful,” “captivating” and “moving.” “The Hollywood Reporter has called it “a joyful and rousing affirmation of the human spirit that will resound widely.” The film is rated PG-13. Filmed in the United Kingdom and Vietnam, the film is in English.
The series will continue with “The Other Man,” on Monday-Saturday, May 18-23; “Northern Borders” on Tuesday-Saturday, May 26-30; and a final film on Monday-Saturday, June 1-6, that is still to be announced. More information, including trailers, can be found by visiting the Knickerbocker website at hope.edu/knick.
Tickets for the individual films are $7 for regular admission and $6 for senior citizens, Hope College faculty and children. Tickets will be sold at the door but are also available in advance at the Events and Conferences Office located downtown in the Anderson-Werkman Financial Center (100 E. Eighth St.). The office is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and can be reached at (616) 395-7890.
The Knickerbocker Theatre is located at 86 E. Eighth St.