Wednesday, November 26, 2008

NEW Wolrd Cinema - Joyeux Noël

France 2005 Director: Christian Carion, rated PG-13
November 30 & December 1, 2008, 7:00 PM
Fox Cinema, 400 3rd Street, Menasha
Ticket $5

In 1914, World War I, the bloodiest war was well under way. However on Christmas Eve, numerous sections of the Western Front called an informal, and unauthorized, truce where the various front-line soldiers of the conflict peacefully met each other in No Man's Land to share a precious pause in the carnage with a fleeting brotherhood. This film dramatizes one such section as the French, British and German sides partake in the unique event, even though they are aware that their superiors will not tolerate its occurrence.

Thia film was nominated for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award in 2006.

What do the reviewers say …

  • “The story speaks to universal human emotions that transcend country and culture”. – Robert Butler (Kansas City Star)
  • “Today's audience might find it hard to believe soldiers could shoot each other one day and play soccer together the next. Alas, this happened and Carion's screenplay is smart enough to make us believe ... even in the 21st century”. – Forrest Hartman (Reno Gazette)
  • “A remarkable episode in the bloody history of what is still referred to - with increasingly sickening irony -- as the war to end all wars.'” – John Beifuss (Commercial appeal, Memphis)
  • “It's a marvelously entertaining history lesson -- glossy, emotional and touching” – Roger Moore (Orlando Sentinel)

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