The Cup (Bhutan)
 | Writer: Khyentse Norbu Director: Khyentse Norbu Starring: Orgen Tobgyal, Neten Chokling Genre: Comedy Year: 1999 Languages spoken: Nepali Awards: FIPRESCI prize (Pusan) See it if you like: light-hearted spirits Do not miss: the Final See also: "Of Gods and Men" |
While the soccer World Cup is being played in France, two young Tibetan refugees arrive at a monastery/boarding school in exile in India. Its atmosphere of serene contemplation is somewhat disrupted by soccer fever, the chief instigator being a young student, the soccer enthusiast Orgyen. Prevented by various circumstances from seeing the Cup finals on television in a nearby village, Orgyen sets out to organize the rental of a TV set for the monastery. The enterprise becomes a test of solidarity, resourcefulness and friendship for the students, while the Lama, head of the monastery, contemplates the challenges of teaching the word of Buddha in a rapidly changing world.
The Circle (Iran)
 | Writer: Kambuzia Partovi, from an idea by Jafar Panahi Director: Jafar Panahi Starring: Nargess Mamizadeh, Maryiam Palvin Almani Genre: Social drama Year: 2000 Languages spoken: Persian Awards: Golden Lion (Venice), FIPRESCI prize (San Sebastian) See it if you like: innovative narration, flawless acting, "A Separation" Do not miss: the final sequence See also: "About Elly" |
Various women struggle to function in the oppressively sexist society of contemporary Iran.
