Paulina Gaytan, Edgar M. Flores, Buillermo Villegas 
Focus Features; Directed by Cary Fukunaga 
Rated R; 96 minute; 2009

"Finding Face" details the controversial case of Tat Marina, a rising star in Phnom Penh’s karaoke music scene, who was attacked with acid in Cambodia in 1999. The film contextualizes acid violence in Cambodia as both a human rights violation and a gender-based form of violence. Human rights workers and survivors of acid attacks discuss the many challenges faced by victims, as well as what they see as a culture of impunity surrounding violence against women. They also talk about the rise in acid violence following Marina’s attack, a result of the public’s awareness that perpetrators are unlikely to face any serious penalties.

Time Crimes (Los Cronocrimenes)

October 19 & 20   
7pm & 9:30 pm

Karra Elejalde, Candela Fernandez, Barbara Goenaga 
Magnolia Pictures; Directed by Nacho Vigalondo 
Rated R; 88 minutes; 2008 

Thirst

A beloved and devoted priest from a small town volunteers for a medical experiment which fails and turns him into a vampire. Physical and psychological changes lead to his affair with the wife of his childhood friend who is repressed and tired of her mundane life. The one-time priest falls deeper in despair and depravity. As things turn for the worse, he struggles to maintain what’s left of his humanity.

In Korean and English with English subtitles

Song Kang-ho, Kim Ok-vin, Kim Hae-sook
Focus Features; Directed by Park Chan-wook
Rated R; 133 minutes; 2009

Rebuilding Hope 

November 2 & 3   
7pm & 9:30 pm

Chocolate 

November 9 & 10   
7pm & 9:30 pm

Zen is an autistic woman who finds that she has an extremely developed sense of muscle memory and when she sees martial arts in action she mimics them perfectly. She uses her newfound skills to settle her ailing mother's debts by seeking out the ruthless gangs that owe her family money.

In Thai, English and Japanese with English subtitles

Yanin Wismitanant, Hiroshi Abe, Ammara Siripong 
Magnolia Pictures; Directed by Prachya Pinkaew 
Rated R; 110 minutes; 2009

Afghan Star

A look at how contestants on the a musical contest program "Pop Idol" in Afghanistan risk their lives to appear on the show.

Aria Productions; Directed by Havana Marking
Rated Un-rated; 87 minutes; 2009

Tulpan

November 30 & December 1   
7pm & 9:30 pm

On the steppes of Kazakhstan, Asa lives in a yurt with his sister Samal, her husband Ondas, and their three children. Ondas is a herdsman, tough and strong. It's dry, dusty, and windy; too many lambs are stillborn. Against this backdrop, Asa, a dreamer who's slight of build and recently finished with a stint in the Russian Navy, tries to establish a life on the steppes. He, his friend Boni, and Ondas call on Tulpan, the only single girl in the area. The men talk to her parents while she listens out of sight. Her answer and Asa's later trips to talk to her form an arc of hope against the harsh land. Is this the place of Asa's dreams? What about the other lambs?

Pallas Film; Directed by Sergei Dvortsevoy
Rated PG; 100 minutes; 2009