International Stories on Film

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A perhaps-too-little-known fact is that through OverDrive, library card holders can watch streaming movies, and, furthermore, that OverDrive has a good number of titles distributed by Film Movement, a highly regarded curator of independent films and shorts, many of them created outside the USA.

As described on their website, “Film Movement titles are chosen by an acquisitions team with over 30 years combined experience in the independent film industry. They travel around the world to the leading domestic and international film festivals, covering thousands of films to bring you the most innovative, exciting and groundbreaking award-winning pictures. We make our selections carefully, and always make sure our films are both entertaining and thought-provoking.”

The following list of films surely shows that this description is accurate. The films come from different continents and feature Arabic, French, Spanish, Chinese, Kazajo Dialect (Mongolia), Tamashek (Niger) and Tupi (Brazil) and Russian language dialogue. These particular titles are also available in DVD format – but some of the Film Movement titles on OverDrive are digital only.

So, if you want to travel the world without leaving home or you miss hearing the language of your homeland and want to see a story from there, hop onto OverDrive to check out the selections.

You can sign up for a free library card here. If you are new to our eResources, check out these tutorial videos on how to get started.

If you’re looking for more book suggestions, we’re happy to recommend them to you! Use this Personalized Recommendation form to send us some information about what you like to read and we’ll curate a list just for you.

If you have any additional questions, you can contact a librarian through FacebookInstagram or Twitter. You can also call us at 412-622-3114 or email us at info@carnegielibrary.org.

Dreams of Dust

Mocktar, a Nigerian peasant, comes looking for work in Essakane, a dusty gold mine in Northeast Burkina Faso, Africa, where he hopes to forget the past. In Essakanethe gold rush ended twenty years before, and the inhabitants of this strange timeless wasteland manage to exist simply from force of habit. The beautiful Coumba, however, is still courageously struggling to raise her daughter after the death of her family. Mocktar will soon be fighting not only to survive, but also to provide a better future for this mother and her child. You can also check out this title as video on OverDrive/Libby.


The Drummer

Sid, the rebellious son of a controlling and savage mafia boss in Hong Kong, has to flee to the beautiful mountains of Taiwan upon enraging his father’s violent adversary. Hiding out in the mountains, Sid encounters a group of Zen drummers whose mesmerizing art, rigorous physical training and austere way of life pique this hostile young man’s interest. Immersed in the world of the Zen drummers, Sid eventually changes into a firm and focused young man. His independence from the mafia life and his father is profoundly challenged, however, when a twist of fate awaits him back home in Hong Kong and forces him to choose between loyalty to his family and his new found faith in himself. You can also check out this title as video on OverDrive/Libby.


Gigante

Jara is a shy and lonely 35-year-old security guard at a supermarket on the outskirts of Montevideo. He works the night shift, monitoring the surveillance cameras of the entire building. One night, Jara discovers Julia, a 25-year-old cleaning woman, through one of the cameras and is immediately attracted to her. Night after night, he watches her on the cameras while she works. Jara’s life becomes a series of routines and rituals around Julia, but eventually he finds himself at a crossroad and must decide whether to give up his obsession or confront it. You can also check out this title as video on OverDrive/Libby.


Le Grande Voyage

A few weeks before his college entrance exams, Réda, a young man who lives in the south of France, finds himself obligated to drive his father to Mecca. The wide cultural and generational gap between the two is worsened by their lack of communication. From France, through Italy, Serbia, Turkey, Syria, Jordan to Saudi Arabia, the two embark on a road trip that will change their lives forever. You can also check out this title as video on OverDrive/Libby.


The Great Match

“The Great Match” tells the adventurous story of three devoted soccer fans, none of whom have ever met, but who nevertheless have two things in common: firstly, they all live in the farthest-flung corners of the planet and, secondly, they are all determined to watch the television broadcast of the 2002 World Cup final between Germany and Brazil. All living about 500 kilometers away from the next town, and the next television, their task remains a particularly daunting one. You can also check out this title as video on OverDrive/Libby.


Roads to Koktebel

After losing his wife and job, a father takes his son on a journey from Moscow to Koktebel. With no money or transport, they drift through the expansive and mesmeric landscapes at the mercy of chance. You can check out this title as video on OverDrive/Libby.