Two new films — “International Falls” and “Greed” — open March 6 at the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center.
“International Falls” is about a woman stuck in a small, snowbound border town who has dreams of doing stand-up comedy when she meets a washed up, burned out comedian with dreams of doing anything else.
Dee (Rachael Harris) is a middle-aged wife and mother stuck in a boring job and a broken marriage in what feels like the frozen edge of the world: International Falls, Minnesota. A self-proclaimed comedy nerd with a secret dream of getting on stage, her only escape comes in the form of no-name touring comics performing weekly in the hotel bar where she works as a front desk clerk.
This particular weekend brings Tim (Rob Huebel), a burned-out headliner who is all too aware of his status as a low-level nobody. He’s come to International Falls with no intention of leaving. When Dee invites herself to Tim’s room after his first night’s show, her walls begin to crumble as she’s forced to face the realities of a life that she’s become so adept at ignoring. Their one nightstand stretches into the next day as each comfortably acknowledge that they’re using the other for momentary comfort. Tim confesses that he’s going through a divorce, has lost custody of his son and is miserable in his chosen profession. He tells Dee that that night’s show will be his last as a comedian, that he’s “sort of retiring,” which turns out to be a sadly ominous prediction. The line between comedy and tragedy is blurred as Dee is forced to ask the inevitable, unavoidable question that all must face: Now what?
The Norman A. Geske Cinema Showcase presents director Amber McGinnis, who will appear for a question and answer session with the audience following the 7:30 p.m. screening of her film “International Falls” on March 6.
“International Falls” is showing through March 12.
“Greed” tells the story of self-made British billionaire Sir Richard McCreadie (Steve Coogan), whose retail empire is in crisis. For 30 years, he has ruled the world of retail fashion – bringing the high street to the catwalk and the catwalk to the high street – but after a damaging public inquiry, his image is tarnished. To save his reputation, he decides to bounce back with a highly publicized and extravagant party celebrating his 60th birthday on the Greek island of Mykonos. A satire on the grotesque inequality of wealth in the fashion industry, the film sees McCreadie’s rise and fall through the eyes of his biographer, Nick (David Mitchell).
“Greed,” which has been rated R for pervasive language and brief drug use, is showing through March 12.
For more information, including show times, call 402-472-5353 or visit the Ross website.
