The Way I Spent The End Of The World
(Romania)

Tuesday, March 25 at 7 pm

Smithsonian Institution - S. Dillon Ripley Center Lecture Hall
1100 Jefferson Drive SW
Metro: Smithsonian
General Admission: $13
Smithsonian Resident Associate and
            Alliance Française Members: $10
Information and reservation at 202 633 3030 or residentassociates.org

2006, 106 mins
Executive Producers: Martin Scorsese and Wim Wenders

The Way I Spent the End of the World is a testament to the power of love to transcend even the most tragic circumstances. Romanian director Catalin Mitulescu’s first feature tells the story of teenaged Eva and her little brother Lalalilu in the months leading up to the deposition of Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu – the end of the only world these two young souls ever knew.

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Retour à Gorée
(Switzerland)

Tuesday, April 1st at 7 pm

Freer Gallery
Independence Avenue and 12th Street, SW
Metro: Smithsonian
General Admission: $13
Smithsonian Resident Associate and
            Alliance Française Members: $10
Information and reservation at 202 633 3030 or residentassociates.org

The musical road movie, Return to Gorée, tells of African singer Youssou N'Dour's epic journey following the trail left by slaves and by the jazz music they invented. N'Dour's challenge is to bring back to Africa a jazz repertoire and to sing those tunes in Goree, the island that today symbolizes the slave trade and stands to commemorate its victims. Guided in his mission by the pianist Moncef Genoud, Youssou N'Dour travels across the United States of America and Europe. Accompanied by some of the world's most exceptional musicians, they meet peoples and well known figures, and create, through concerts, encounters and debates, music which transcends cultural division.

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Wrestling Grounds "The Call of the Arena" - CANCELLED -
(Senegal, Burkina Faso, Morocco, France)

Tuesday, April 8 at 7 pm
Director Cheikh N'Diaye will attend the screening and introduce the film

Freer Gallery
Independence Avenue and 12th Street, SW
Metro: Smithsonian
General Admission: $13
Smithsonian Resident Associate and
            Alliance Française Members: $10
Information and reservation at 202 633 3030 or residentassociates.org

2006, 105 mins
Director: Cheikh N'Diaye

Combining sporting prowess and fabulous music, The Call of the Arena dramatically demonstrates the cultural importance of wrestling in Senegal.
Shamans and punching bags are the cornerstones of 17-year-old Nalla’s training in this colorful foray into the world of Senegalese wrestling, a traditional art that has become a national phenomenon. When Nalla joins a champion team, he learns there’s a spiritual aspect to the sport, one that goes beyond the muscles, money and the ladies. Wrestling Grounds is one of the finest examples of the growing, impressive African cinema.

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Shake Hands With the Devil
(Quebec, Canada)

Tuesday, April 15 at 7 pm

Freer Gallery
Independence Avenue and 12th Street, SW
Metro: Smithsonian
General Admission: $13
Smithsonian Resident Associate and
            Alliance Française Members: $10
Information and reservation at 202 633 3030 or residentassociates.org

2007, 112 mins
Director: Roger Spottiswoode

A film adaptation of the Romeo Dallaire autobiography Shake Hands with the Devil, detailing the personal journey of Dallaire through the 1994 Rwandan genocide and how Dallaire's request for more aid went ignored by the United Nations.

Followed by Q&A session with Jean-Guy Plante, former United Nations Military Spokesman and the film's Technical Advisor on military and U.N. affairs.

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