International Film Series: What would you do at 10-years old if you knew what you do today?

Do you remember what it was like to watch the interactions of the adult world as a child? Life on a much grander scale but with a simpler understanding. In the film, Mutum, Thiago sees the world with curiosity and wonder, despite the difficult realities of his family. Living in rural Brazil on a struggling farm, he sees a world colored by his parent’s unhappy marriage and his father’s abuse. Despite this context, he continues to try to understand the world of the adults in his life – his mother, father, uncle and grandmother – until an event one day forces all the complexities to the forefront. He and his brother Felipe attempt to reconcile the kindness of their grandmother and the harshness of their father in the adult world that is not yet their own.

Consider who you were and where you were when you were 10 years old. Knowing what you do now, how would you have acted differently? As an adult looking back, what do you miss about your 10-year-old self? What are you glad has changed?

Faculty, staff and students are welcome to the screening of the first film in the Spring 2010 line-up for the International Film Series. Mutum will be shown on February 25, 2010 from 4:00-6:00 PM in CHHS 281. A post-film discussion will be facilitated by Ms. Xanda Lemos, a graduate student in the Latin American Studies Program and lecturer of Portuguese.

International Education Week is Here!

International Education Week is here, and we have more events than ever before. No matter what you are interested in, you can find something you can enjoy during International Education Week. Have lunch or dinner with your friends in Crown Commons - they are hosting a week of International Cuisine from around the world. Each day offers food from a different region - Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Come enjoy the delicious food and world culture.

If you are not a foodie, don’t worry, we still have something for you. Come watch a movie - we have several award-winning movies from around the world that relate to international topics and issues.

• Sleepwalking Land is about how an orphaned trying to find his family in war-torn Mozambique. The film displays the power of imagination for surviving, and ultimately overcoming, the devastation of war.

• Nobody Knows is about how young boy in Tokyo trying manages the household and take care his three younger siblings after his mother abandons them. How the children find new ways to survive after the money runs out. Based on a true story.

• Gegen Die Wand is about two German Turks who decide to marry each other when they meet at the hospital after they tried to commit suicide.

• Trade is a story about a girl was kidnapped by underground traffic trying to escape from the brutal global underworld, and how her brother and police determined to rescue her. A socially conscious film, Trade does not look away or glance over the horrors of the sex trade, even in the most painful of details.

• A Journey to Darfur is promote awareness and education on genocide, hatred, mass violence and human right violations pertaining to historical atrocities and similar current conflicts.

If you are more of a social person, come to our international food sampler and international coffee hour to meet some new friends from around the world. Or join us for the brown bag lunch travel presentation, our presenters will share their international travel experience with you in the luncheon.

Prefer to be active? Recreational Services is hosting several dance classes; including Zumba, Salsa and Ballroom and Latin Dance over the week. Come get your international groove on.

Join us to celebrate UNC Charlotte’s global nature - history, language, film, culture, speakers, food, coffee and much, much more are combined for an exciting international experience. For the list of the events visit our website at http://www.oip.uncc.edu/IntEdWk.htm.

Eat. Drink. Learn. Think. Read. Do. Go Global.

15 ways to "go global" at UNC Charlotte

1. Participate in International Education Week
2. Join one of many International Student Organizations
3. Visit our Blog - http://ninerinternational.blogspot.com :)
4. Become a Friendship and Culture Exchange Partner
5. Study Abroad
6. Attend International Film Series
7. Join the International Club
8. Attend International Coffee Hour
9. Participate in the International Festival
10. Live in Witherspoon Hall’s International House
11. Become an International Studies Major or Minor
12. Join the Model United Nations
13. Join Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars
14. Facebook Group-Office of International Programs, UNC Charlotte
15. Attend the International Speaker Series


Right now we're most concerned with #1. The week of November 16-20, 2009 has 35 programs scheduled to reflect the global nature of UNC Charlotte - history, language, film, culture, speakers, food, coffee and much, much more are combined for an exciting international experience. The complete list of events is available online. Look for other announcements around campus - contact our office (704-687-7305) if you'd like more information or need special accommodations. Don't miss this chance to "go global."

Eat. Drink. Learn. Think. Read. Do. Go Global.

International Film Series: How far would you go for a friend?

Getting Home will be screened on Tuesday, October 20 from 3:30-5:30 PM in CHHS 380. Set in China, the film is in Mandarin with English subtitles. The brief film description suggests a comical approach to some universal themes: when Zhao, a middle-aged construction worker, sets off to fulfill his dying co-worker's last wish to be buried in China's Three Gorge's Region, he travels hundreds of miles with a body in tow. Situations that he encounters must be carefully choreographed to explain the presence of a less-than-alert body and he finds colorful characters throughout his journey. Themes of friendship and community emerge for a glimpse of human connectivity in modern China. Dr. Jing Wang will facilitate a brief, post-film discussion.

Here's a look at a trailer in Mandarin (without subtitles).

launching an international film series: Sept. 29

The mumblings have started - something about a film series, something international, remote locations, SUBTITLES! All true. The Office of International Programs, along with the Global Film Initiative, are in fact bringing an International Film Series to UNC Charlotte for the 2009-2010 year. And it starts on Tuesday, September 29 at 3:30 PM with Song from the Southern Seas.

According to the Global Film Initiative, Song from the Southern Seas is about two couples, one Russian and one Kazakh, who have been relatively peaceful neighbors for fifteen years. When the fair-skinned Russians give birth to a boy of decidedly darker skin, hidden suspicions erupt and is only resolved by an ironic twist of family and fate.

Director Marat Sarulu explains further, "During the first immigration wave of Kazakh and Central Asian Russians. Many left the region,which created a severe disconnection from a whole culture based upon neighbourhood ties,integration and traditions that had been manifested over centuries. Many fell sick and died during the first years of their immigration. Young people, more resilient, had the chance to survive.Every now and then some would go back home, unable to cope with the different customs,lifestyle, climate of their new land in which they terribly missed their home and their usual circle of friends....I believe that the ideas and the problems mentioned in the script stand out in an even sharper way upon this background of angst. Men all belong to the same race, to the same family, and this is the outcome of my characters’ personal quest.”

The screening is open. Join us for Please direct questions to rebecca.vincent@uncc.edu.