Historical & Contemporary Films at the Odeon

The Odeon (Piazza degli Strozzi) this month will showcase a variety of films, as always presented in English. The offerings range from romantic comedies such as The Big Sick, to the journey of self-discovery for a young man tasked with a delivery for a famous painter in Loving Vincent, and finally a film dedicated to the time before the independence of India in Viceroy’s House. Below is a preview of the films playing through the end of the month.

Fri. 10 (4 pm & 9:30 pm) Sun. 12 (4:30 pm) Viceroy’s House

Viceroy’s House directed by Gurinder Chadha is set during March of 1947 in New Delhi, during the arrival of Lord Louis Mountbatten as the new and final Viceroy of India, along with his wife Edwina and his eighteen-year-old daughter Pamela. As the Viceroy, he will oversee the dissolution of British rule and the tense establishment of India as an independent state due to the implications that follow in the process of creating a new nation and a separate Muslim state known as Pakistan.

Tues. 14 (7 pm) Mon. 20 (4:15 pm, 6 pm, 7:45 pm & 9:30 pm) Loving Vincent

Loving Vincent, written and directed by Dorota Kobiela and Hugh Welchman, is the first film created as an animated, oil painted feature. Set after Vincent Van Gogh’s death, Postman Roulin, a long time admirer of the painter, forces his son Armand to deliver the final letter Vincent ever wrote to his brother Theo. Although Armand starts this journey begrudgingly, he soon realizes through the meetings he has with numerous people in the town of Auvers-sur-Oise, France that the painter was a beloved and eccentric man who took inspiration from everyone around him. Interesting and tragic as Van Gogh’s life was Armand realizes the life of this man was something to be truly appreciated.

Thurs. 16 (9:30 pm) Fri. 17, Sat.18, Sun. 19 (4:15 pm, 6:30 pm & 9 pm) The Big Sick

The Big Sick directed by Michael Showalter features Kumail Nanjiani as Kumail an Uber driver during the day and a comedian at night, and Zoe Kazan as Emily, a grad student, in a romantic comedy drama set in present day Chicago. During one of Kumial’s performances, Emily heckles him, the two become acquainted and begin a relationship shortly after. The movie focuses on the dynamic of interracial couples and the differences they may face. Kumail is the son of two Muslim parents but does not share the same faith himself. After Emily is faced with an unknown illness, Kumail is forced to confront his parents about his secret relationship, and his true feelings towards Emily and his own culture. (rachel hinojosa)