Finding Vivian Maier
THE Regional Cultural Centre Letterkenny is delighted to present two free film screenings as part of this year’s Foyle Film Festival, Finding Vivian Maier on Thursday, November 20 and The Past on Friday, November 21.
Both film screenings start at 8pm, admission is free but advance booking is essential by ringing the RCC on 074 9129186.
Finding Vivian Maier
Finding Vivian Maier is a fascinating study of a brilliant undiscovered talent. This highly acclaimed documentary uncovers the mysterious life and amazing work of Maier, whose photographs bear comparison with Cartier-Bresson. A nanny, who secretly took over 100,000 photographs that were hidden in storage lockers and discovered decades later, is now considered among the 20th century’s greatest photographers.
Maier’s strange and riveting life and art are revealed through never before seen photographs, films, and interviews with dozens who thought they knew her. An exhibition of Maier’s work is currently on display at New York’s Howard Greenberg Gallery. Finding Vivian Maier is directed by Charles Siskel and John Maloof.
It was Maloof who made the extraordinary discovery in 2007 when he picked up a box of undeveloped photo negatives belonging to Maier at an auction in Chicago and later tracked down a storage unit rented in her name, filled to the brim with negatives and prints.
The Past
The Past
The Past tells the story of an Iranian man who deserts his French wife and two children to return to his homeland. Meanwhile, his wife starts up a new relationship, a reality her husband confronts upon his wife’s request for a divorce.
According to The Guardian “Asghar Farhadi’s complex, intricate drama is a tragedy of good intentions and bad beginnings and wrong decisions that seemed right at the time. Farhadi shows the desperation and anger involved in trying to annul incorrect life choices and defy the past. A brilliant opening vignette shows two people pranging their car while reversing.
“They are looking back, but failing to see the danger… Sombre and difficult this movie may be, but it is exhilarating to watch something that makes you come out of the cinema not sated or torpid, but wanting to talk – to talk about what the film meant, and meant to you personally. It’s a rare pleasure.”