Cinema Showcase Hosted by Fred Craden
WESTERN
Directed by Valeska Grisebach (Longing)
Produced by Maren Ade (Toni Erdmann)
Wednesday, April 18 at 7:30 pm
Members $7 | Public $12
Unlike any Oater, Western tells a universal story of masculinity and xenophobia on the contemporary frontier of Eastern Europe. Drawing remarkably nuanced performances from a cast of non-actors, Grisebach uses the trappings of the western genre to poke and prod at current anxieties about borders and relationships with our neighbors.
An intense, slow-burning thriller, Western follows a group of German construction workers working a tough job installing a hydroelectric plant in remote rural Bulgaria. The foreign frontier awakens the men’s sense of adventure, but tensions mount when they are confronted with their own prejudice and mistrust, when Meinhard, the strong, silent newcomer to the group, starts associating with the local villagers. The two sides speak diff erent languages and share a troubled history. The stage is quickly set for a showdown when men begin to compete for recognition and favor from the local villagers. Can they learn to trust each other — or is the stage being set for a showdown? (Germany, 2018, 119 min., NR, German with English subtitles| Dir. Valeska Grisebach)
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