Five films to watch at WOW Film Festival

WOW Wales One World Film Festival begins this weekend – here’s our pick of what to watch.

A Story Of Children and Film

In his latest documentary director Mark Cousins examines the way film has presented children since the silent era, spanning over fifty films from around the world to show the affinity between film and childhood.

The buzz: Mark Cousins’ A Story of Film was a mammoth study, and his most recent monolith is another cine-essay that has been lauded since its release last year. Catch the Welsh premiere and a Q&A with the director himself.

Where: Chapter Arts Centre, Friday 21 March, 18:00

The Past

A study of modern family life in flux, The Past sees French actress Bernice Bejo play Marie, a woman whose husband has travelled from Tehran to Paris to divorce her.

The buzz: Iranian director Asghar Farhadi follows up A Separation with a stellar script. Bernice Bejo’s ball-breaking performance as a tempestuous mother of three won her the Best Actress Award at last year’s Cannes Film Festival.

Where: Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Tuesday 29 April – Wednesday 30 April, 20:00

The Rocket

Ahlo is a twin whose family believes has brought bad luck after a series of disasters befall them. To prove he’s not cursed, Ahlo is determined to win the lucrative and dangerous Rocket Festival and restore his family’s luck.

The buzz: Awards at the Tribeca Film Festival and glowing reviews mean this coming of age story set in the gorgeous Laos lanscape is one to watch.

Where: Screenings at Chapter, Clwyd Theatr Cymru and Aberystwyth from Wednesday 19 March – Wednesday 30 April

Winter Nomads

This fly-on-the-wall documentary follows herder Pascal and his partner Carole as they drive their 800 sheep across the mountains of Switzerland.

The buzz: Winner of the best documentary at the European Film Awards 2012, this Swiss film looks cheering and inspiring.

Gloria

Gloria is a middle-aged divorcee determined to enjoy life to the full – happiest when out dancing, when Gloria meets Rodolfo, her latest conquest, she gives her all.

The buzz: With an engaging performance from Paulina García – who won best actress at the Berlin Film Festival for her role – this story of a vivacious, charming woman on a quest for love is heart-lifting.

Where: Theatr Mwldan, Sunday 23 March, 17:50, Taliesin Arts Centre, Wednesday 9 April, 20:00

To book tickets for any WOW screening visit their website – find out more about the festival on Facebook and Twitter.

Wales One World Film Festival 2013

Wales One World Film Festival returns this Friday

Wales One World has been bringing world film to Wales for several years now, and in turn has been embraced as a staple and highlight of the calendar.

This year WOW is bringing a selection of feature films, documentaries and animations from across Europe, South America, the Middle East, Africa and Asia and taking them to Cardiff, Mold, Swansea, Cardigan, Aberystwyth and Milford Haven. Wales and the world, together again.

Our highlights include Wadjda, the story of one girl in Saudi Arabian society set against the triumph of the director Haifaa Al Mansour.

Already critically acclaimed, No is set during the rule of Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet, and tells the story of Gael Garcia Bernal and the “No” campaign which opposed Pinochet’s referendum.

It’s easy to see why War Witch has been labelled a “hard sell”, but this Oscar-nominated feature from canadian director Kim Nguyen has already won plaudits for amateur Rachel Mwanza’s performance.

Closer to home, The Sprit of ’45 captures the mood of a nation in the joyous release of war. Directer Ken Loach has used archive film and interviews to share how it felt it live in one of the most formative times in Britain’s recent history.

The screening of The Spirit of ’45 at Chapter on Sunday 17 March will be followed by a live satellite Q&A featuring Ken Loach, journalist Owen Jones and Dot Gibson, general secretary of the National Pensioners convention. The panel will discuss the impact of Labour’s achievements in 1945 and their lasting impact on an entire generation.

WOW starts Friday 15 March and continues until 3 April, with screenings in cinemas across Wales.

Tickets for each event vary in price, but you can buy a WOW Passport and open up a whole world of cinema for just £30.

For all the WOW reviews and updates, check out the WOW Film Festival Blog or follow WOW on Twitter.