The award-winning documentary “Fire at Sea” and surreal comedy “Brand New Testament” open Jan. 27 at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center. Continuing to show is “Jackie,” a portrait of First Lady Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy.
Winner of the Golden Bear at the 2016 Berlin Film Festival and Oscar nominee, “Fire at Sea” follows Europe’s migrant crisis via Lamperusa, a Mediterranean island where thousands of African refugees fleeing war and poverty have landed in recent decades.
Directed by Gianfranco Rosi, the documentary shows the harrowing work of rescue operations and the day-to-day rhythms of the island through the eyes of a doctor who treats casualties and performs autopsies and a feisty pre-teem from a family of fishermen.
The film captures the ongoing tragedy on the island without the abstract sensationalism of media headlines.
“Fire at Sea,” which is not rated, shows through Feb. 2 at the Ross.
Also opening is “The Brand New Testament,” a surreal comedy that begins with a simple arrogant premise — God exists, and he’s a jerk.
In the film, God lives in a high-rise apartment in Brussels and never changes out of his pajamas. He takes a sadistic delight in dreaming up new “laws” to torment humanity and he’s a petty tyrant to his wife and 10-year-old daughter, Ea.
Like her brother before her, Ea has had enough of her father’s abuse and when the right opportunity arises, she hacks his computer, stealing the date the world will end. She sends the information to the entire world, via text message, and escapes with her father in pursuit.
As she flees, Ea gathers apostles and writes her own New Testament to try and fix the mess her father has made of humanity. Her apostles — a one-armed woman, sex maniac, killer, a woman left by her husband, office worker and a gender dysphoric child — learn to celebrate life and love.
Directed by Jaco Van Dormael, the film is a dark and witty answer to the question of what you would happen if people knew exactly how much time they had left to live.
“The Brand New Testament,” which is not rated, shows through Feb. 2 at the Ross.
For more information on films at the Ross, click here or call the film information line at 402-472-5353.
