Belmont World Film's 23rd International Film Series: "Freedom on Film" (@ West Newton Cinema)

Belmont World Film's 23rd International Film Series, "Freedom on Film," features eleven of the world's top films that have mostly screened at the biggest international film festivals, including Cannes, Venice, Toronto, and Sundance; three were their countries’ submission for the Best International Feature Film Oscar. The series runs Mondays at 7:30 PM from March 31-April 14 at Apple Cinemas in Cambridge and April 28-June 16 at the West Newton Cinema, which also includes a three week sidebar in June in observance of Pride and World Refugee Awareness Month.

The lineup explores the many dimensions of freedom—from personal liberation to political resistance—showcasing compelling stories from around the globe and shedding light on the struggles and triumphs of those who dare to break barriers. The series invites audiences to engage with diverse perspectives on what it truly means to be free.

The North Macedonian film DJ AHMET opens the series on March 31; it won both the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award and the Audience Award at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, a testament to its enormous appeal. It will be preceded by an optional dinner reception at the theater featuring Macedonian cuisine.

Other films include:

April 7 (Apple Cinemas): THE GOOD TEACHER (France, North American premiere). Francois Civil plays a dedicated young literature teacher in a Parisian suburb whose life unravels when he’s wrongfully accused of sexual misconduct by his student in this gripping film inspired by true events. As allegations spiral, he faces mounting pressure from the student’s brother and peers, forcing him to fight to clear his name amid escalating turmoil. The film offers a nuanced exploration of rumor, reputation, and resilience within the educational system.

April 14 (Apple Cinemas): WAVES (Czech Republic/Slovakia, New England premiere). Set during the Prague Spring of 1968 and the aftermath of the Warsaw Pact invasion, this historical thriller follows Tomáš, a young man who inadvertently joins a Czechoslovak public radio station. As Soviet forces invade, Tomáš and his fellow journalists risk their lives to broadcast uncensored information, confronting state censorship and secret police surveillance. The Czech Republic’s submission for the Best International Feature Film Oscar.

April 21 (West Newton Cinema): READING LOLITA IN TEHRAN (Italy/Israel, New England premiere). Azar Nafisi’s memoir is brought to life in a story about a courageous literature professor (Golshifteh Farahani) who, amidst the political upheaval of post-revolutionary Iran, clandestinely convenes seven female students to explore forbidden Western literature. In the face of societal repression, the women find solidarity as their personal narratives begin to intertwine with the novels they read. Shot in Italy with a predominantly Iranian cast, the film captures the essence of 1980s and ‘90s Iran, highlighting the transformative power of literature.

April 28 (West Newton Cinema): MANAS (Brazil, East Coast premiere). Set in a remote riverside community in Brazil, this compelling drama follows a 13-year-old girl who becomes increasingly aware of the systemic violence and exploitation faced by the women in her village. Determined to change her destiny and protect her younger sister, she courageously challenges the oppressive structures governing their lives. Winner of the Venice Film Festival’s Giornate degli Autori Director’s Award.

May 5 (West Newton Cinema): SIMA’S SONG (Netherlands/France/Spain, North American premiere). The bonds of friendship between a wealthy communist and a conservative Muslim singer are put to the test during Afghanistan’s turbulent history in the 1970s. Despite their differing political beliefs, they remain steadfast during their personal and societal upheavals, including the Soviet invasion and the rise of the mujahideen. The film highlights the resilience and courage of Afghan women amidst decades of conflict.

May 12 (West Newton Cinema): SHEPHERDS (Canada/France, US premiere). A Montreal advertising executive abandons his urban life to become a shepherd in the French Alps in director Sophie Deraspe’s (Antigone, BWF 2021) latest film. Together with a civil servant who also leaves her former life behind, he navigates the challenges of rural existence and their new environment, to seek purpose and connection. Winner at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.

May 19 (West Newton Cinema): FOUR MOTHERS (Ireland, East Coast premiere). In the vein of such films as Waking Ned Devine and Philomena, this Irish comedy-drama features a novelist (Scottish actor James McArdle) on the cusp of literary success, who’s unexpectedly tasked with caring for his ailing mother (Fionnula Flanagan) and three of his friends’ mothers over a chaotic weekend. As he juggles his own aspirations with the demands of four spirited elderly women, he embarks on a humorous journey of self-discovery and unexpected companionship. Preceded by an optional closing dinner from 6-7 PM featuring Irish cuisine.

Films shown in June as part of the Pride and World Refugee Awareness Month observances include:

June 2 (West Newton Cinema): THREE KILOMETERS TO THE END OF THE WORLD (Romania, New England premiere). After returning to his conservative village in the Danube Delta, a 17-year-old boy is attacked for sharing a kiss with another young man. As his parents grapple with their love for their son and their deeply held religious beliefs, they resort to extreme measures, believing they must protect their son from himself. Romania’s submission for the Best International Feature Film Oscar.

June 9 (West Newton Cinema): SOULEYMANE’S STORY (France, New England premiere). A young immigrant from Guinea navigates the streets of Paris as a food delivery cyclist while striving to secure legal residency. With only two days to prepare for a critical asylum interview, he must balance the demands of his precarious job and the challenges of his uncertain status. Winner of the Jury Prize in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival and nominated for eight César Awards (the French Oscars).

June 16 (West Newton Cinema): UNDER THE VOLCANO (Poland, New England premiere). While enjoying the final day of their vacation in Tenerife, Spain, a blended Ukrainian family’s world is upended when news breaks of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, rendering their return to Kyiv impossible. Stranded on the island, they must navigate feelings of isolation, fear, and uncertainty, all while confronting the evolving dynamics within their family. Poland’s submission for Best International Feature Film Oscar.

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