On June 22, “Zama” will join “RBG,” “The Seagull” and “Let the Sunshine In” at the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center to offer a series of scathingly insightful observations about colonialism and class dynamics.
“Zama” shows through June 28.
It tells the story of Zama, an officer of the Spanish Crown born in South America, as he waits for a letter from the king granting him a transfer to a better place.
His situation is delicate. He must ensure that nothing overshadows his transfer.
He is forced to accept submissively every task entrusted to him by successive governors who come and go as he stays behind.
The years go by and the letter from the king never arrives.
When Zama notices everything is lost, he joins a party of soldiers that go after a dangerous bandit.
Also playing at the Ross are “RBG,” “The Seagull” and “Let the Sunshine In.”
“RBG” dives into the life of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and how the 84-year-old has developed a breathtaking legal legacy while becoming an unexpected pop culture icon. The documentary, from Betsy West and Julie Cohen, is a personal journey through Ginsburg’s rise to the nation’s highest court.
“RBG,” which is co-produced by Storyville Films and CNN Films, is rated PG for thematic elements and language. It is scheduled to run through June 28.
“The Seagull” is an adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s classic play about failed hopes and tangled attractions.
Set in the summer at a lakeside Russian estate, the film follows friends and family as they gather for a weekend in the countryside. The estate is owned by Sorin, a retired government employee, and his sister, Irina, a legendary actress of the Moscow stage.
Irina is imperious, narcissistic and selfish, anxiously holding on to her star status and the affections of her younger lover and short story writer, Boris Trigorin. She is constantly belittling her son, Konstantin, an aspiring writer.
While Konstantin adores his mother — despite her cruelty — he acts out his insecurity and anger by rejecting Irina’s style of theatre and Boris’ writing, declaring them old-fashioned and banal. He further declares he will create bold and superior forms of theatre and literature.
Konstantin is in love with Nina, a beautiful and naïve local girl who dreams of being an actress. Nina is flattered when Konstantin offers her the starring role in his newly written play. However, she soon rejects Konstantin and pursues Boris instead.
The movie plays out with the characters spinning webs of love triangles and drama.
Showing through June 28, “The Seagull” is rated PG-13 for some mature thematic elements, a scene of violence, drug use and partial nudity.
“Let the Sunshine In” features Juliette Binoche as Isabelle, a divorced Parisian painter searching for another shot at love, but refusing to settle for the parade of all-too-flawed men who drift through her life.
There’s a caddish banker who, like many of Isabelle’s lovers, happens to be married; a handsome actor who is working through his own hang-ups; and a sensitive fellow artist who seems skittish about commitment.
Director Claire Denis transforms what seems to be a standard romantic comedy into a story that is deeper, poignant and perceptive about the profound mysteries of love.
“Let the Sunshine In” is not rated and shows through June 28.
