The Alexandria Coffeehouse Film Series
September Feature
"Days and Clouds" (Giorni e Nuvole)

"Perceptively written… an absorbing, deliberate drama" -- Eddie Cockrell, Variety

Running Time: 115 Minutes.
In Italian with English subtitles. Unrated.

Synopsis
Well-to-do, sophisticated couple, Elsa and Michele, have a 20 year-old daughter, Alice, and enough money for Elsa to leave her job and fulfill an old dream of studying art history. After she graduates, however, their lives change. Michele confesses he hasn't worked in two months and was fired by the company he founded years ago. Elsa overcomes her initial shock by pouring extra energy into facing the crisis while Michele, exhausted by an unsuccessful job hunt, lets himself go, alternating between vivacity and apathy. The growing distance between them eventually leads to a break-up. Only when they apart will they realize that they risk losing their most precious possession: the love that binds them.

Blogsite
Check out the Film Series Blogsite for details including a preview trailer for the film, a link to the movie's website, directions to the restaurant and more!

Notes
Because the films in this series have not been widely distributed, most of them are unrated. Please be advised that unless otherwise indicated these films generally contain adult themes and are not suitable for children.
Rather than being an "official" event hosted by the Speak Up Meetup Group, this is a community event in which members are being invited to attend. As such there will be no formal gathering and film discussion unless otherwise indicated.
Reservations at FireFlies are accepted and strongly encouraged. They can be reached at: 703-548-7200. Let them know that you're planning to attend the film screening and ask for a table with a good view.

The Friends of Duncan Library and FireFlies
Proudly Present:

The Alexandria Coffeehouse Film Series

The social anxiety of a morbidly shy Ecuadorian dishwasher working in a Jamaica, Queens diner provides the psychological engine that powers the intense blend of drama and magical realism in the U.S. indy film "The Choking Man."

Running Time: 84 Minutes. In Spanish with English subtitles. Unrated.

Synopsis
Set in New York's Jamaica, Queens, CHOKING MAN illustrates the neighborhood's rich diversity. Ecuadorian immigrant Jorge (Octavio Gómez Berríos) washes dishes at a local diner, where he connects with a Chinese woman (Eugenia Yuan) and shies away from his bully of a coworker (Aaron Paul). Mandy Patinkin costars as the owner of the diner.

Blogsite
Check out the Film Series Blogsite for details including a preview trailer for the film, a link to the movie's website, directions to the restaurant and more!

Notes
Because the films in this series have not been widely distributed, most of them are unrated. Please be advised that unless otherwise indicated these films generally contain adult themes and are not suitable for children.
Rather than being an "official" event hosted by Speak Up Meetup Group, this is a community event in which Speak Up members are being invited to attend. As such there will be no formal gathering and film discussion unless otherwise indicated. That said, we still think it's fun =).
Reservations at FireFlies are accepted and strongly encouraged. They can be reached at: 703-548-7200. Let them know that you're planning to attend the film screening and ask for a table with a good view.

The Friends of Duncan Library and FireFlies
Proudly Present:

The Alexandria Coffeehouse Film Series

Aussie writer and director Matthew Saville shifts the police thriller genre away from the familiar and onto the fringe in "Noise."

Running Time: 107 Minutes. Unrated.

Synopsis
This is a story about the wrong person in the right place at the wrong time. Two heinous crimes have left a suburban town reeling. Police quickly connect them, but are desperate for witnesses as the local community enfolds itself in a shroud of secrecy, borne from fear and an untrammeled mistrust of authority.

A young police constable, Graham McGahan, suffers from a chronic hearing problem and applies for worker's compensation. To his chagrin, he is stationed at a police caravan near the crime scene. Living on the periphery of the investigation, McGahan crosses paths with the various people affected by the tragedies and uncovers an unraveling nightmare of guilt and suspicion. © Sundance Film Festival.

Blogsite
Check out the Film Series Blogsite for details including a preview trailer for the film, a link to the movie's website, directions to the restaurant and more!

Notes
Because the films in this series have not been widely distributed, most of them are unrated. Please be advised that unless otherwise indicated these films generally contain adult themes and are not suitable for children.
Rather than being an "official" event hosted by Speak Up Meetup Group, this is a community event in which members are being invited to attend. As such there will be no formal gathering and film discussion unless otherwise indicated. That said, we still think it's fun =).
Reservations at FireFlies are accepted and strongly encouraged. They can be reached at: 703-548-7200. Let them know that you're planning to attend the film screening and ask for a table with a good view.

The Friends of Duncan Library and FireFlies
Proudly Present:

The Alexandria Coffeehouse Film Series

The surprise guest at a New Jersey family graduation party sparks long-buried recriminations in the new prize-winning American independent film "August the First."

Running Time: 81 Minutes. Unrated.

Synopsis
It is the morning of Tunde's graduation party and things have already begun to unravel. Tunde has managed to alienate his sister, Simisola. His older brother, Ade, persistently plagues him with criticism, and their mother has started drinking again. Unbeknownst to most, Tunde has orchestrated the return of his long estranged father, resurrecting unresolved family anguish against the backdrop of Tunde's celebration.

As the day turns to night, old wounds are re-opened and bad habits are revived. Layer by layer, deception and half-truths are peeled away as secrets are uncovered in what will be become the most unforgettable day the family has ever experienced.

Blogsite
Check out the Film Series Blogsite for details including a preview trailer for the film, a link to the movie's website, directions to the restaurant and more!

Notes
Because the films in this series have not been widely distributed, most of them are unrated. Please be advised that unless otherwise indicated these films generally contain adult themes and are not suitable for children.
Rather than being an "official" event hosted by SpeakUp Meetup, this is a community event in which SpeakUp Meetup members are being invited to attend. As such there will be no formal gathering and film discussion unless otherwise indicated. That said, we still think it's fun =).
Reservations at FireFlies are accepted and strongly encouraged. They can be reached at: 703-548-7200. Let them know that you're planning to attend the film screening and ask for a table with a good view.

Join Parlez Vous for its French August Meetup at La Madeleine on Thursday August 23rd from 7-8pm! Enjoy French cuisine and great conversation en francais. This is a great way to practice your French and meet new people!

La Madeleine is located at 500 King St. in Old Town Alexandria. Street parking is free after 6pm.

We hope to see you there! Au revoir!