Redlands Cinema Classic announces fall film lineup

REDLANDS, Calif. — The Redlands Cinema Classic returns this fall with four international films and the popular Manhattan Short Film Festival at Harkins Mountain Grove 16 cinemas.

The series, benefiting the Redlands Art Association’s Margaret Clark Art Education Enrichment Fund, opens Sept. 24–25 with Not Alone Anymore, a biographical documentary tracing Marlee Matlin’s rise to stardom after becoming the first deaf actor to win an Oscar for her performance in 1987’s Children of a Lesser God.

Now, 38 years later, Matlin tells it all in this poignant film, directed by Shoshannah Stern, who is also deaf. The film explores Matlin’s career, challenges navigating the hearing world and an abusive relationship, while promoting greater understanding of the deaf community.

Manhattan Short Film Festival

The lineup continues Oct. 1–2 with the return of the Manhattan Short Film Festival. Audiences in Redlands will join more than 100,000 filmgoers in 500 cities across six continents to screen and vote on 10 short films, all of which qualify for Academy Award consideration.

After the screening, guests can enjoy food and drinks while casting their votes. Results are tallied globally and published the following week online and in the press.

Tickets for the Manhattan Short are $50, include food and beverages, and must be purchased by Sept. 29.

Other fall features include:

The Kiss (Denmark), Oct. 8–9 — A World War I-era drama directed by Academy Award winner Billie August, based on Stefan Zweig’s novel Beware of Pity. Set in 1913 Denmark at the start of World War 1, a young cavalry officer Anton, in training, rescues an older man who turns out to be the local nobleman. The Baron invites him to dinner, where he is joined by the Baron’s daughter Edith who is confined to a wheelchair. Their friendship develops with more demands made on their relationship which poses a dilemma for Anton who is eager to graduate. It begs the question – Can pity become love?

My Sunshine (Japan), Oct. 15–16 — A coming-of-age story about a shy boy who discovers figure skating. Set in winter on a small Japanese island where Takuya, a shy mediocre ice hockey player, sees a girl (Sakura) skating with grace and determination under the tutelage of a professional coach (Arakawa). Takuya becomes intrigued by her style and ability and when the rink is empty, he tries to copy her but fails. Arakawa sees him and offers to tutor him. What follows are beautiful ice-skating sequences as we witness their preparation for competition.

The Ties That Bind Us (France/Belgium), Oct. 22–23 — Directed by Carine Tardieu, the film examines how unexpected bonds reshape ideas of family. Sandra is a 50- year-old single feminist who does not have or want children. She is unexpectedly asked to babysit her neighbor’s 5-year-old son Elliott while his mother goes to the hospital to give birth. When tragedy strikes Sandra is coerced into helping Elliott and his dad. She has no familial skills, nor does she want to get involved. But Elliott is persuasive.

Tickets for individual films are $20 and can be purchased online at www.redlandscinemaclassic.com or in person at the Redlands Art Association, 215 E. State St. Proceeds benefit local art education and youth scholarships.

All films will be screened at Harkins Mountain Grove 16, 27481 San Bernardino Ave, Redlands, CA 92374.