“Slalom,” a film that offers a moving account of oppression and abuse in the guise of mentorship, opens May 21 at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center](https://theross.org).
This riveting, Cannes-selected #MeToo drama from debut filmmaker Charlène Favier follows the relationship between a teenage ski prodigy and her predatory instructor, played by frequent Dardenne brothers collaborator Jérémie Renier. In a breakthrough role, Noée Abita plays 15-year-old Lyz, a high school student in the French Alps who has been accepted to an elite ski club known for producing some of the country’s top professional athletes. Taking a chance on his new recruit, ex-champion turned coach Fred decides to mold Lyz into his shining star despite her lack of experience. Under his influence, she will have to endure more than the physical and emotional pressure of the training.
The film, which is unrated, is showing through June 3.
Also showing is “Gunda,” which features encounters with a mother sow (the namesake of the film), two ingenious cows, and a scene-stealing, one-legged chicken. “Gunda” is experimental cinema in its purest form, using black and white cinematography and the farm’s ambient soundtrack to allow viewers to experience the life of the animals. The exploration highlights the inherent value of live and the mystery of animal consciousness.
“Gunda,” which is rated G by the Motion Picture Association of America, shows at the Ross through May 27.
For more information about films playing at the Ross, including show times and ticket pricing, click here or call 402-472-5353.
