Carolina Productions is hosting Foreign Film Week in the Russell House Theatre from Monday, Nov. 12 to Thursday, Nov. 15. The films featured come from a variety of countries, including Nigeria and South Korea.
For the past two years, Carolina Productions has held events in celebration of International Education Week. For this year's foreign film festival, their goal is to make USC's international students feel welcomed by including various student organizations involved. The films cover a variety of genres: horror, comedy, drama and fantasy. Students may find an unexpected connection with these film's themes.
"I think viewers might be surprised at how familiar they find these films. Elements of stories Americans have heard all their lives exist in these films with added twists from different countries," Alex Lee, cinematic arts coordinator for Carolina Productions, said in an email.
"Mother of George" is a drama that takes place in Brooklyn. It tells the story of a Nigerian couple that is having trouble conceiving a child. "The Mermaid" is a Chinese film about a mermaid assassin who falls in love with the man she is supposed to kill. "The Host" is a Korean horror film that follows a man and his family trying to save his daughter from a sea monster. "Shaun of the Dead" is British cult classic comedy about a man trying to win his ex-girlfriend back and survive a zombie apocalypse.
"Both 'The Mermaid' and 'The Host' were among the highest grossing films in their respective countries so we thought they would be popular. KISA gave us the idea to play The Host. 'Mother of George' played at the Sundance Film Festival and has great potential for discussion. 'Shaun of Dead' is a cult classic and the ultimate zombie movie," Lee said.
More than anything, Lee hopes that students leave the film with a new perspective on the world around them.
"I want students to leave with a better appreciation and understanding of different cultures," Lee said. "I also want students to leave with connections and friendships with people they may never have met otherwise."
Monday, Nov. 12: "Mother of George" at 7 p.m., followed by Q&A session with PANASA.
Wednesday, Nov. 14: "The Mermaid" at 6 p.m.
8 p.m.: K-pop dance performance and discussion of the impact of K-pop by Kosmic Dance Club
8:30 p.m.: Discussion of Korean culture by KISA
"The Host" at 9 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 15: "Shaun of the Dead" at 7 p.m.