HYSTERIA
Romantic comedy
U.K. 2011
Language: Eng with Ukr subtitles
Starring Maggie Gyllenhaal and Hugh Dancy
Fri, Nov. 11 and Wed, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m., Ukraina cinema
Based on a true story, this film about the invention of a vibrator is causing stomach pain from giggles around the world. A young doctor in the Victorian-era England is an expert in women’s “hysteria,” a catch-all diagnosis for female illnesses.
Keeping a straight face, he prescribes a special manual massage to his patients suffering on insomnia or bloating. Today one would call it sexual assault but in the 1880s, it was an official medical therapy.
Expectedly, the doctor develops hand cramps from his work, which inspires him to invent an electronic machine to perform stimulation on his clients. Things will heat up in the most sensitive and polite manner as you watch this hysterical film.
SUBMARINE
Comedy, drama
U.K. 2010
Language: Eng with Ukr subtitles
Starring Craig Roberts and Yasmin Page
Fri, Nov. 11, Sat, Nov. 12 at 9 p.m., Ukraina cinema
Pale-skinned, wide-eyed and nerdy, yet intelligent, Oliver seems like an unlikely pair to mischievous and beautiful Jordana. But the 15-year-old has guts and proves he can woo his woman.
Parallel to this exciting development in Oliver’s life runs a drama between his parents. Oliver’s mother is having an affair with a cheesy neighbor, while his father is as passive as a brick.
The teenager takes it upon himself to rescue his parents’ marriage while his new gorgeous girlfriend also needs help with her family – too much for an adolescent who only wanted to lose virginity.
PERFECT SENSE
Drama, romance
U.K. 2011
Language: Eng with Ukr subtitles
Starring Eva Green and Ewan McGregor
Fri, Nov. 11 at 11 p.m., Mon, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m., Ukraina cinema
They can touch, smell and get an eyeful, but not for long. As a global pandemic starts disabling people’s senses, a charismatic doctor tries to find a cure, while her neighbor – a fish chef – goes through women as quickly as serving short orders.
An unlikely pair, they fall in love with each other and try to savor the moment using all their senses before they are gone. An apocalyptic drama, it focuses on feelings instead of sweeping shots of melting icebergs or crumbling skyscrapers.
Set in Glasgow, it offers a change to the usual shots of New York or London going through their last day scenario.
WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN
Drama, thriller
U.K. 2011
Language: Eng with Ukr subtitles
Starring Tilda Swinton and John C. Reilly
Sat, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m., Ukraina cinema
Nordic actress Tilda Swinton plays a distraught mother who tries to cope with the fact that her son is a murderer. Named best film at BFI London Film Festival, this drama is based on the 2003 novel by Lionel Shriver.
The narrative unfolds through a series of letters written by the beleaguered mother to the father, who’s either optimistic or delusional about their son. Kevin was a difficult child from the earliest stages of life. He grew into a sinister teenager who takes his anger against fellow classmates.
THE GUARD
Comedy, thriller
Ireland 2011
Language: Eng with Ukr subtitles
Starring Brendon Gleeson and Don Cheadle
Sat, Nov. 12 at 11 p.m., Sun, Nov. 13 and Tue, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m., Ukraina cinema
An unorthodox, uptight and careless Irish cop from a small town is reluctantly brought in to nail down the international cocaine-smuggling ring. A straight-laced FBI agent sent to help him in the investigation adds to his predicament.
A mismatched buddy cop film sounds like a cliché but this film is supposed to kill this presumption at the core. The Irish cop likes prostitutes, swearing, swimming and Russian literature. His fellow investigator from the U.S. would have gladly imprisoned him instead of the drug gang.
But a string of bribery, kidnappings and murders will glue them together despite their differences in the sly and witty dark comedy that received positive reviews from many film festivals.
