Social Mores

This week's films look at the social mores of "high society" in the early 20th Century.

An Ideal Husband (1999)
8:03 pm

Government minister Sir Robert Chiltern (Jeremy Northam) is being blackmailed by a woman who knows something about his past. Not wanting to tarnish his wife's ideal image of him and damage his reputation, he struggles to keep his secret with the help of his friend Lord Arthur Goring (Rupert Everett). The romantic comedy was written and directed by Oliver Parker and based on the play by Oscar Wilde. Also starring Cate Blanchett, Minnie Driver and Julianne Moore.

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The Rules of the Game: The Interviews
9:40 pm
Through the films An Ideal Husband (1999) and The Age of Innocence (1993), The Interviews looks at etiqutte and social propriety of "high society" in the early 20th century. Were the standards set by the upper brow of society a restritive trade-off for being part of the elite, and how have these standards changed? Featuring discussions with theatre director Jackie Maxwell and film critics Peter Howell and Geoff Pevere.

The Age of Innocence (1993)
10:00 pm

The film takes place in New York high society during the 1870s where Newland Archer is set to marry May Welland, his perfect match on paper. But when May's cosmopolitan cousin Ellen comes to town, Newland's life takes a turn, where he must choose between a predictable life with May or a passion-ridden one with Ellen. Directed by Martin Scorsese and based on the novel by Edith Wharton, the film was nominated for five Academy Awards, winning one for Best Costume Design.

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The Rules of the Game: The Interviews (Repeat)
n/a
Through the movies An Ideal Husband (1999) and The Age of Innocence (1993), The Interviews looks at the etiquette and social propriety of "high society" in the early 20th century. Were the standards set by the upper brow of society a restrictive trade-off for being part of the elite, and how have these standards changed? Featuring discussions with theatre director Jackie Maxwell and film critics Peter Howell and Geoff Pevere.

Manny & Lo (1996)
12:40 am

Two young sisters run away from their foster homes and survive on the run by stealing food and sleeping in model homes. But when one of the sisters gets pregnant, they decide to kidnap a clerk at a baby supply store to help them get through the pregnancy and delivery. But it's not long before the kidnapped clerk begins to rely on them as much as they rely on her. Directed by Lisa Krueger, the film stars Mary Kay Place, Aleksa Palladino and a young Scarlett Johansson.

 

Thelma and Louise (1991)
2:10 am

Waitress Louise convinces her neglected housewife friend Thelma Dickinson to go on an all-girls weekend trip. But it's not long before things go south after a rape attempt ends in a murder forcing the two women to go on the run from the police, who are never far behind them. The fun, action-packed, humourous film was written by Callie Khouri and directed by Ridley Scott. Khouri won an Oscar for her unforgettable script.

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