Chiaroscuro was founded in 2005 by Zulema Moret, associate professor of modern languages and literatures, and Gretchen Minhaar, a Grand Rapids architect and artist. Moret, who was born in Buenos Aires, and Minhaar, who is from Argentina, share a passion for film and a desire to expand the diversity of cultural experiences available to the West Michigan community. By establishing a non-profit organization and a board of directors, the Chiaroscuro Film Series has been able to bring an increasing number of recent international films to West Michigan audiences, free of charge.
Six notable films from a variety of countries are shown on a series of Sunday afternoons through April. The films are selected for their connection with a chosen theme, which this year is "Finding Home."
Each foreign film is preceded by the screening of a locally produced short film. A panel discussion will follow the film, and refreshments will be served. All films are shown at 2:30 p.m. at the Urban Institute for Creative Arts, 41 Sheldon S.E., in downtown Grand Rapids. For more information, visit www.chiaroscurofilmseries.org.
Upcoming Films:
- February 8: In This World (Michael Winterbottom, Great Britain, 2002)
- February 22: Daughter of Keltoum (Mehdi Charef, France, 2001)
- March 8: Das Fraulein (Andrea Staka, Germany, 2006)
- March 22: Bolivia (Adrian Caetano, Argentina, 2001)
- April 26: Code Inconnu (Michael Haneke, France, 2000)
