DCA DISCOVERY

NOCTURNA in Spanish
2007 Spain
for P6 upwards
Directors Victor Maldonado and Adria Garcia

Programme total 80mins
Dundee Contemporary Arts Thur 30 Oct 1.30pm
Spanish dialogue with English subtitles

Nocturna is suitable for all ages and we are proud to present a special screening for modern language learners which will be in the original Spanish Language with English subtitles. Find out more about this fabulous film at www.nocturna-lefilm.com. This screening is supported by the Consejeria De Educacion.

MAX MINSKY AND ME
Germany 2007
for P6 upwards
Director Anna Justice

Programme total 94mins
Dundee Contemporary Arts Mon 27 1.30pm
Stirling Macrobert Tue 28 Oct 10.30am
Spanish dialogue with English subtitles

This comedy drama is suitable for all ages of German language learners. It is the touching and funny story of a very unlikely friendship. Nelly Sue Edelmeister is an intelligent thirteen-year-old Berlin school girl with a brilliant career in astronomy ahead of her. But Nelly wants to learn basketball in order to meet her idol and has to make friends with misfit teenager Max in order to get what she wants. A smart and entertaining film that takes a lighthearted look at more complex cultural issues around the Jewish community in contemporary Berlin. The screening is presented in partnership with the Goethe Institute and accompanied by a short welcome and introduction by a guest German speaker. A resource pack will be available from http://www.goethe.de/ins/gb/gla/deindex.htm

LEAPS AND BOUNDS
P6 upwards
2007 Sweden
Director Petter Næss
Kurdish and Swedish with English subtitles

Programme total 94mins
Dundee Contemporary Arts Wed 22 Oct 1.30pm
Dundee Contemporary Arts Thu 28 Oct 1.30pm
Stirling Macrobert Thur 30 Oct 1pm

This is a compelling international drama using humorous moments to create a deeply sympathetic portrait of a young person facing the challenges of being a refugee. Twelve year-old Azad and his mute older brother, Tigris flee the increasingly dangerous political situation in Kurdistan to safety in Germany. However, not everything goes to plan and it's only Azad's quick thinking that can save the day. In the tradition of the best contemporary Scandinavian cinema for young audiences, this film balances well told drama with a unique personal narrative and provides insight into relevant social issues. Contains some street language.

BUDDHA COLLAPSED OUT OF SHAME
P6 upwards
Iran/France 2007
Director Hana Makhmalbaf
Farsi with English subtitles

Programme total 81mins
Dundee Contemporary Arts Fri 24 Oct 1.30pm
Dundee Contemporary Arts Tue 28 Oct 10am

Beneath the gaze of the ruined statue of Buddah, a six year old girl braves numerous challenges as she strives alone to go to school for the first time in Afghanistan, taking her mothers' lipstick as a pencil. Poignant and sometimes challenging, the easy narrative and frequent humorous moments keep this film accessible. There are scenes of threat and violence between children mimicking adult behaviour that they have witnessed. This film will be on limited release in UK cinemas from June for teachers who would like a preview before booking. There is a teacher's resource to carefully contextualise the film for younger viewers available. Click here

Find out more at www.lecahier-lefilm.com and at www.makhmalbbaf.com/movies

BEN X
Cert 15
2007 Belgium
Director Nic Balthazar
Flemish language with English subtitles

Programme total 93mins
Fri Oct 24 at 10am

Ben is different. His life is a universe to itself, where he plays his favourite online computer game Archlord as a way to train himself for the real world he lives in. Ben X is a galvanizing portrait of autism and its profound impact on both the autistic person, their families and communities. Inspired by actual events, first-time director Nic Balthazar has adapted his book and his stage play for the screen to create probably the most controversial film you will see this year. To quote one reviewer, 'Rarely has so much emotion and excitement been compressed into 90 minutes of screen time'.

Ben X is a galvanizing portrait of autism and its profound impact on both the autistic person and their families and community. It boldly melds virtual reality with live-action vérité style and docudrama to create what may be a new film grammar. Inspired by actual events, first-time director Nic Balthazar has adapted his book and his stage play for the screen to create probably the most controversial film you will see this year. Discovery will be developing a support pack with young people for this screening. For a trailer and more information go to www.benx.be

THE WAR OF THE BUTTONS
age 10+
Cert PG
1994 United Kingdom
Director John Roberts
English language

Programme total 94mins
Dundee Contemporary Arts Thu 30 Oct at 10am

In the utterly serious world of childhood, a rivalry flourishes that will forever affect two small communities and shape a few characters before it is over. In this classic children's film analogy of the pointlessness of war, the boys who live in neighbouring villages in a very quiet corner of Ireland coexist in a state of undeclared war between the rival gangs. In the ensuing stand offs the war trophies gathered on each side are buttons and zippers. This film was written by Colin Welland and produced by David Puttnam, their first collaborative effort since 'Chariots of Fire' The film contains a few uses of street language, mild threatening behaviour and brief nudity. See http://www.mediamatters.co.uk/buttons for supporting teaching materials.

RED LIKE THE SKY
P7 upwards
2006 Italy
Director Cristiano Bortone
Italian with English dialogue

Programme total 90mins
Dundee Contemporary Arts Thu 30 Oct 10am screening
Dundee Contemporary Arts Fri 31 Oct 10am screening

A film all about the amazing creative potential of sound, inspired by the true story of Mirco Mencacci, one of the most gifted Italian sound editors working today. As a ten year old, Mirco is crazy about the movies, especially Westerns and adventure films. Narrowly surviving after an accident with his father’s gun, he loses his sight and his parents are forced to send him away to a special school in Genoa. When he finds an old tape recorder and a few used reels he discovers he can create little fairy tales made only of sounds, a brand-new world opens up to him. His boarding school try to stop his creative activity, but he continues to pursue this magical personal project, involving his classmates and helping them find their imagination too. Contains some swearing.

MICKYBO AND ME
2005 UK
Cert 15
Director Terry Loane
English language

Programme total 95mins
Dundee Contemporary Arts Fri 31 Oct 1.30pm

A great action feature set in Belfast, 1970. As chaos gathers momentum, two boys become unlikely friends, then fugitives, blood brothers and bank robbers. Nine-year-old Jonjo lives in a middle class area while "over the bridge" lives eight-year-old Mickybo and his very large family. The two meet when Jonjo gets caught up in one of Mickybo's many scrapes and then bond over 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid' at the local cinema. Enthralled by the outlaw way, they soon find that events in their own lives have conspired against them and that the only option is to break for the border.

THE SUBSTITUTE
for P6 upwards
2007 Denmark
Director Ole Bornedal
Danish with English subtitles

Programme total 93mins
Dundee Contemporary Arts Wed 29 Oct 1.30pm
Occasional dialogue and one film has subtitles

A science fiction thriller with a contemporary social twist, this film features top Danish actress, Ulla Harm, as the film’s arch villain, the new substitute teacher. She is actually an alien from another planet on a sinister mission. Her pupils are the only ones who know her true identity and it’s up to the class to do something about it. A box office smash in Danish cinemas, this movie aptly blends fantasy with reality into a visually sumptuous story with a perfectly feisty protagonist.

For short film full details click here

THE GHOST SHOW: Travelling Show People and Scotland's Moving Image Heritage
Archive film workshop
Director Itai Lev

Programme total 60mins
Dundee Contemporary Arts Thur 23 Oct 1.30pm
Stirling macrobert Thur 30 Oct 10.30am

Presented by Mitch Miller, Principal Researcher and Outreach Coordinator of the Ghost Show project. Featuring Gavin Wright as The Elecutionist

The Ghost Show was a travelling theatre/cinema that was popular on fairgrounds over 100 years ago. This is an opportunity for children to learn about the historical context of early cinema and about travelling show people, historical and contemporary. This is a fun, interactive workshop featuring special archive films, discussion and drama with film journalist Mitch Miller. Mitch, is a real life descendant of the first Scottish pioneers of the fairground moving image and will host the event.

HALLOWEEN SHORTS
Various countries

Programme total 74mins
Dundee Contemporary Arts Fri 31 Oct 10am
Dundee Contemporary Arts Tue 28 Oct 10am
Stirling macrobert Fri 31 Oct 1pm
Occasional dialogue and one film has subtitles

This special programme for the spooky season shows the full range of animating techniques and styles. It includes the classic British short animation ‘The Sandman’ (1992). Occasionally bloody and bizarre, this nonetheless thought provoking selection contains tributes to all aspects of the horror movie genre. There are scenes of animated horror and the programme is not recommended for anyone of a very nervous disposition but expect plenty of comedy moments too.

For short film full details click here