Russian Ark

Movies entertain and educate, inform and illuminate.

In a world marked by terrorism and war, poverty and sickness, conflicting moralities and economic inequities, movies can be a healing force; a bridge to connect people; a means of promoting peace, understanding and tolerance; or simply a brief but welcome respite from the real world.

They can also serve as a reflection of a nation’s fears; an agent of propaganda; a cold, hard look at society’s ills; or an implicit plea for change.

The films opening this Fall and Winter promise all of the above. The brutal but brilliant “City of God” chronicles the human waste and destruction which have taken hold in the slums of Rio de Janeiro over the past three decades as the drug trade has obliterated the last vestiges of humanity. The mesmerizing “Russian Ark” is a dreamlike waltz through 300 years of Russian history. A technical tour de force, it consists of a single, uncut, 87-minute Steadicam shot which winds its way through St. Petersburg’s magnificent Hermitage Museum, the former Winter Palace of the Tsars which fell victim to the Communist Revolution of 1917.

Jim Sheridan’s poignant “In America” follows the journey of one emigrant family from Ireland to America. The semi-autobiographical film is written and directed by Jim Sheridan whose previous works, “My Left Foot” and “In the Name of the Father,” also dealt with his Irish heritage. “In America” stars the extraordinarily talented British actress Samantha Morton. “Antwone Fisher” marks the directorial debut of Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington and is based on the true story of an angry young sailor who is ordered to see a naval psychiatrist. The film, which shines a revealing light on this nation’s foster-care system, stars first-time actor Derek Luke, who already is being touted as an Oscar contender.

“Chicago” is the big-screen adaptation of Bob Fosse’s Tony Award-winning Broadway musical. Filled with intrigue, rivalry and murder –- as well as bright lights, high-stepping dance numbers and plenty of sizzle –- the film stars Renée Zellweger and Catherine Zeta Jones as two molls competing for fame and celebrity, and Richard Gere as the lawyer who agrees to represent them both. Director Martin Scorsese’s long-awaited “Gangs of New York” finally arrives in movie theatres. Set in lower Manhattan in the 1860’s, it’s a tale of political corruption, anti-immigration hatred and gang warfare.

City of Gods

The always iconoclastic French director Jean-Luc Godard once remarked that “All you need for a movie is a gun and a girl.” It is as true for the filmgoer as for the filmmaker.

Indeed, what could be better than being able to experience all the excitement, danger and passion -- without having to actually risk life or limb? It is hardly surprising
to learn that most people go to the movies to be entertained, but entertainment can also be educational, informative and illuminating. Asked to comment on the role of cinema in today’s world, Brazilian director Fernando Meirelles, whose “City of God” opens in Los Angeles in February 2003, offered a thoughtful but passionate response.

“Cinema has multiple roles. A Ken Loach film makes you think about your society; a Mike Leigh film makes you understand your soul. Godfrey Reggio’s films make you meditate, while works by Larry Clark, Ed Solomoz or Gaspar Noe test your limits. A David Lynch film makes you feel you are in a dream; a Tarantino one makes you have fun. James Cameron’s films make a lot of money, while one by Walter Salles tells you what a human being is.

A Won Kar Wei film is pure pleasure. One by Bertolucci goes deep inside. Paul Thomas Anderson and Robert Altman tell us a lot of stories at the same time. A film by Scorsese makes you get down on your knees. ‘City of God’ makes you think about how it is to be excluded.”