Actress and activist Irene Bedard will visit the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center May 12 as part of the Norman A. Geske Cinema Showcase. Films opening are “Graduation” and “After the Storm.”
Bedard will be the keynote speaker for the Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs annual Chief Standing Bear Breakfast, which is May 12. Then, she will be at the Ross for a discussion with the audience after the 7:30 p.m. screening of “Songs My Brother Taught Me.”
Bedard was born in Anchorage, Alaska, and is of Inupiat, Inuit and Métis ancestry. She is known as the voice and physical model for Pocahontas in the Disney animated film. Bedard played Suzy Song in “Smoke Signals,” which will be showing at the Ross at 5 p.m. May 12. She was also a co-producer and played Lisa Winters in “Songs My Brother Taught Me.”
Acclaimed filmmaker Cristian Mungiu’s film “Graduation” is about a father driven to extremes to protect his daughter’s future. Romeo Aldea is a seemingly honest doctor who regrets having settled in his native Romania, a country still teeming with corruption and back dealings. He channels his ambitions for a better life into his teenage daughter, Eliza who’s just one exam away from securing a scholarship to a prestigious British university. But when Eliza is attacked on the eve of her test, endangering her ability to pass, Romeo takes matters into his own hands to ensure her success.
“Graduation” was the winner of the Best Director prize at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival. The film is rated R for some language.
In “After the Storm,” Ryota — dwelling on his past glory as a prize-winning author — wastes the money he makes as a private detective on gambling and can barely pay child support. After the death of his father, his aging mother and beautiful ex-wife seem to be moving on with their lives. Renewing contact with his initially distrusting family, Ryota struggles to take back control of his existence and to find a lasting place in the life of his young son — until a stormy summer night offers them a chance to truly bond again.
Both films will be playing through May 18.
For more information on films at the Ross, including show times and ticket prices, click here.
