Directed by Patrice Chereau. Written by Patrice Chereau and Anne-Louise Trividic. Starring Isabelle Huppert, Pascal Greggory, Claudia Coli, Thierry Hancisse.

Running time 90 minutes. 2005 Germany, France, Italy. French w/English subtitles. NR.

Synopsis

A seemingly ideal marriage is thrown into embarrassing turmoil in Patrice Chéreau's period drama, Gabrielle. Based on the short story The Return by Joseph Conrad, the film opens with Jean (Pascal Greggory) extolling the virtues of his pretty wife, Gabrielle (Isabelle Huppert), in voice-over as he makes his way home from work. Jean and his wife, with help from their team of servants, have fostered the illusion of a perfect bourgeois household. Jean is particularly happy with the way Gabrielle presents herself at the couple's frequent dinner gatherings, attended by their "set," whom, as he describes them, "fear emotion and failure more than war." We see glimpses of these occasions in flashback, while Jean explains of his wife, "I'm proud of what she is -- impassive."

The secure little world he's fashioned for himself is shattered when he arrives home and finds a note from Gabrielle, explaining that she's leaving him. "It's terrible, and right," the missive states. After a brief explosion of rage, Jean tries to compose himself, but he's thrown into chaos again when Gabrielle unexpectedly returns home. She finds it impossible to speak to Jean. "This letter is not the worst of it?" he asks her. "The worst is my coming back," she explains. The two struggle bitterly to regain the balance in their relationship. Soon, in the interest of appearances, another dinner party is planned. Gabrielle, switches from black-and-white to color and back from scene to scene, and is also notable for its intriguing use of intertitles. It was adapted by Chéreau and his frequent collaborator, Anne-Louise Trividic, and was shown at the 2005 New York Film Festival, presented by the Film Society of Lincoln Center. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide


Click here for reviews and trailer.

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/gabrielle/about.php

Cinema Sundays continues its mission to present films that are completely unique to this series. This Sunday’s screening of Gabrielle is the only screening of this film in Baltimore. This film will not open in Baltimore and this is the only opportunity you will have to see this excellent film. Isabelle Huppert is one of the most amazing performers on screen, don’t miss this opportunity to see her on the big one.

Our speaker for this week is Joseph Schaub from The College of Notre Dame. I look forward to his first appearance at Cinema Sundays. I want to thank Violet Glaze from WTMD and The City Paper for doing such a fabulous job last week. I have to say both this week and last week’s discussions have been very interesting. No aspect of the European Union prostitution scene was left thoroughly unexamined. Good job folks!

Written and Directed by Fernando Leon de Aranoa. Starring Candela Pena, Micaela Nevarez, Mariana Cordero, Llum Barrera.

Running time 109 minutes. 2005 Spain. Spanish w/English subtitles. NR.

Synopsis

Director and screenwriter, Fernando León de Aranoa, gives us a moving and sobering tale of two young prostitutes in Madrid. Caye and Zulema develop a friendship based on their desire for a better life. Initially they meet when Zulema, an immigrant from the Dominican Republic, steals one of Caye’s customers for a lower fee, but when she finds Zulema badly beaten in her apartment, they quickly learn to support each other. PRINCESAS explores the consequences and depressing reality of life on the street. While Zulema is selling herself to support her young son back home, Caye hides her profession from her middle class family. Even in their grim circumstances, they sometimes pretend they are princesses to hold onto hope, even though they work in an industry where hope does not exist.


Here is the official Site complete with trailer.

http://www.princesasthemovie.com/main.html

One of the missions of Cinema Sundays is to present films that are completely unique to this series. This Sunday’s screening of Princesas is the only screening of this film in Baltimore. This film will not open in Baltimore and this is the only opportunity you will have to see this excellent film. Princesas was an official selection at both Sundance and Seattle film festivals and won three Goya Awards this year. Don’t miss this tremendous cinematic opportunity.

Our speaker for this week is Violet Glaze from Baltimore’s City Paper. I look forward to her return to Cinema Sundays. I want to thank Max Weiss from Baltimore Magazine for doing such a fabulous job last week. No one could have handled all of those stag metaphors any better. I think it was one of the best discussions we have had. Then again sometimes a stag is just a stag!

Written by Peter Morgan and Directed by Stephen Frears. Starring Helen Miren, James Cromwell, Alex Jennings, Roger Allam, Sylvia Syms.

Running time 97 minutes. Rated PG - 13, UK, France Italy.

Synopsis

When news of the death of Princess Diana, undoubtedly the most famous woman in the world, breaks upon a shocked and disbelieving British public, Queen Elizabeth II (Helen Mirren) retreats behind the walls of Balmoral Castle with her family, unable to comprehend the public response to the tragedy.

For Tony Blair (Michael Sheen), the popular and newly elected Prime Minister, the public’s need for reassurance and support from their leaders is palpable. As the unprecedented outpouring of emotion grows ever stronger, Blair must find a way to reconnect the beloved ruler with her public.


Here is the official Site complete with trailer.

http://www.thequeen-movie.com/

Every once in a while things go your way and this week is a great week for Cinema Sundays. We have a fabulous film in The Queen and a fine speaker in Max Weiss (Baltimore Magazine and WBAL Radio). Helen Miren is one of the most interesting and multi-faceted actresses around today and this role seems tailor made for her unique talents.