Oklahoma City University’s annual international film series will continue at 2 p.m. March 4 with the New Zealand drama “Boy.” The screening is free to the public in the Kerr McGee Auditorium in Meinders School of Business at N.W. 27th Street and McKinley Avenue.
Set in a rural village in the 1980s, Boy lives with extended family since his mother’s death and has developed a heroic fantasy version of his absent father. When his grandmother leaves for a funeral, 11-year-old Boy ends up in charge of a group of younger siblings and cousins who must cope with adult responsibilities while also trying to enjoy their summer break and live out their pop-culture infused dreams. When Boy’s father arrives unannounced with a group of prison buddies, he throws off the delicate balance in the already tenuous situation. The story alternates between hilarity and heartbreak as family members come to terms within one another and with reality.
Sundance Festival veteran Taika Waititi (“What We Do In the Shadows,” “Hunt for the Wilderpeople”) has become known for his unconventional sense of humor and his ability to depict the lives of New Zealand's contemporary indigenous Maori people.
OCU series director Tracy Floreani said she and her advisory committee wanted this year’s film series to take on a positive theme in light of the many global crises and cultural divides occurring in recent times.
“All of these films deal with the idea of reconciliation in some way, whether people from warring factions trying to understand one another, or people treading the difficult terrain of forgiveness or acceptance,” Floreani said.
Films are also selected based on feedback and requests from regular audience members at the series.
A discussion session follows each film for those who wish to stay, and a list of theme-based recommended readings and podcasts will be available at each screening.
Other upcoming films in the series include:
- March 18, “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly” by Julian Schnabel (France/USA, 2007)
- March 25, “Paterson” by Jim Jarmusch (USA, 2016) For more information visit okcufilmlit.org, call 405-208-5707 or send an email to [email protected].
