Film series on friendship combines cinema experiences and exchange.
Films are often more than just entertainment – they also offer a valuable opportunity to talk to each other and make new friends. This idea is at the heart of a film trilogy by filmclub münster, which not only offers cinematic highlights, but also aims to promote the art of dialogue and social networking.
At a time when loneliness is on the rise, this film series takes a special approach. In addition to showing three films that deal with the topic of friendship, the accompanying programme offers the opportunity to exchange ideas and engage in conversation with other film enthusiasts. Those interested in the accompanying programme can register in advance and will then be divided into small groups. Before each film, the groups meet in the Schloßtheater to discuss film-related questions and make new contacts in a relaxed atmosphere. The film series is repeated over the course of three evenings, so that the groups are constantly mixed up, increasing the chance of new encounters and perhaps even “film friendships”.
The following films will be shown:
19 May, 8.00 pm:
THELMA & LOUISE (FSK 16, 124 minutes, English OmU)
This film deals with the liberating power of friendship and the special nature of female friendships.
Thelma ekes out a monotonous housewife’s existence under the strict hand of her despotic husband. Her friend Louise can also think of something better than spending her life serving food in a diner and emptying ashtrays. Without further ado, she persuades Thelma to go on a weekend trip together. But what was planned as a varied road trip and escape from everyday life quickly turns into a nightmare for the two women when Louise shoots a man in a run-down bar. On the run from the police, the women encounter further obstacles but also the strength to stick together, come what may. (Source: distributor)
Content notes: Sexualised violence, drug use, alcohol consumption, swear words, murder, death
26 May, 20.00 hrs:
CLOSE (FSK 12, 103 minutes, French/Dutch OVR)
This film sheds light on the sometimes contradictory spirit of friendship and the special nature of teenage boyhood friendship.
Léo and Rémi, both 13 years old, are best friends and are as close as brothers. They are inseparable, trust each other and share everything. As the summer comes to an end and they move to a new school, their close bond suddenly begins to falter – with tragic consequences. CLOSE, which was awarded the Grand Jury Prize at the 2022 Cannes International Film Festival, is a sensitive drama about closeness, distance and alienation. With tender precision and an infinite understanding of the fragility of life on the threshold of adulthood, Lukas Dhont tells the stirring story of an intense friendship. (Source: distributor)
Content notes: Bullying, swear words, suicide, grief
02 June, 20.00 hrs:
FRANCES HA (FSK 6, 82 minutes, English OmU)
This film paints a portrait of friendships in the late 20s – somewhere between alienation and a longing for closeness.
27-year-old Frances lives with her old friend Sophie in a shared flat in New York. She has been trying to become a dancer for a long time. Despite her lack of success, she lives her days in a good mood and refuses to let life bend her. However, this changes when Sophie moves out of their small shared flat and looks for a nicer flat with another friend. Frances is now also forced to find a new flat share, and things aren’t going well in dance class. She gets the feeling that she is the oldest everywhere and is outclassed by her younger neighbours in almost every important area of life. But although further failures follow and even a trip to Paris to find herself does not bring the hoped-for redemption, Frances does not give up. (Source: distributor)
Content notes: swear words, alcohol consumption
Each film will be accompanied by a short introduction that provides personal thoughts and impulse questions on the respective topic in order to promote discussion. After each film, there will be the opportunity to continue the discussion.
Anyone interested in the accompanying programme can register by 12 May by emailing milena.taeschner@gmail.com, stating their name, age and the dates of the participating evenings. Tickets for the films can be purchased regularly from the Schloßtheater-Kino.
The filmclub münster is a joint programme of Filmwerkstatt Münster, Westfälischer Kunstverein, Burg Hülshoff – Center for Literature and Münster’s film theatres.
The filmclub münster is funded by the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.
www.filmclub-muenster.de
