MOVIES

American Movie Classics

The International Centre for Ethnic Studies (ICES) will present the following American movie classics at 5.00 p.m. daily from April 4 to 8 at its Auditorium at No. 2, Kynsey Terrace, Colombo 08, as it continues with the Festival of Award Winning Films

April 4- My Fair Lady (1964)
Starring Rex Harrison, Audrey
Hepburn, Stanley Holloway

In this beloved adaptation of the original 1913 stage play Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw, Hepburn plays a sassy, working-class London street vendor, whom an arrogant professor (Rex Harrison) attempts to turn into a sophisticated lady through proper schooling. But, when the humble flower girl blossoms into the toast of London’s elite, her teacher may have a lesson or two to learn himself. Hepburn’s performance, style, and sweet spirit have made My Fair Lady a timeless classic. The film won eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Director.

April 5 - The Graduate (1967)
Starring Dustin Hoffman,
Anne Bancroft, Katherine Ross

The Graduate is one of the key, ground breaking films of the late1960s and helped to set up in motion a new era of film-making. Set in the well-to-do suburbs of Los Angeles, and concerning an aimless young man whose protest at society takes the form of being seduced by one of his father’s friends and then falling in love with her daughter , this beautifully photographed film from a book by Charles Webb was filled with bitter hilarity. Director Mike Nichols, following his debut success Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? with this second film, instantly became a major new talent in American film after winning an Academy Award for his directorship. The film was nominated for a total seven Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actor (Dustin Hoffman), Best Actress (Anne Bancroft), Best Supporting Actress (Katherine Ross), Best Adapted Screenplay , and Best Cinematography.

April 6 - Notorious (1946)
Starring Cary Grant, Ingrid
Bergman, Claude Rains

One of the best Hitchcock suspense films ever, Notorious was nominated for two Academy Awards in 1947 and continually ranks among all time box office champions. Written and directed by the master of suspense and with a cast including Cary Grant and an enigmatic Ingrid Bergman. Alicia Huberman (Ingrid Bergman) gains notoriety when her father, Nazi spy, is convicted of treason against the US following World War II. At a party thrown soon after, Alice meets a handsome stranger named Devlin (Gary Grant) who reveals after a clash of wits and temperament that he is a US Intelligence Agent.

April 7 - Lolita (1962)
Starring James Mason, Shelley
Winters, Peter Sellers, Sue Lyon

Stanley Kubrick brings Russian novelist Vladimir Nabokov’s forbidden love to the screen. Lolita is frequently cited as Noboko’s most important novels of the 20th century. The novel is notable for its controversial subject. A 37 -38 year old literature professor Humbert Humbert (James Mason) who relocates to an American suburb, renting a room from lonely widow Charlotte Haze (Shelley Winters). Humbert marries Charlotte, but only to nurture his obsession with her namely teenage daughter, Lolita (Sue Lyon).

April 8 - Roman Holiday (1953)
Starring Gregory Peck, Audrey
Hepburn, Eddie Albert

Roman Holiday was nominated for ten Academy Awards, and Audrey Hepburn captured an Oscar for her portrayal of a modern-day princess rebelling against her royal obligations who explores Rome on her own.

She meets Gregory Peck, an American newspaperman who, seeking an exclusive story, pretends ignorance of her true identity. But his plan falters as they fall in love. Eddie Albert contributes to the fun as Peck’s carefree cameraman pal. Stylishly directed by William Wyler, this romance comedy ranks as one of the most enjoyable films of all times.