Explorations: The International Film Series

The Ballad of Wallis Island

Friday, September 11, 2026
2025 - United Kingdom - English
Comedy /Drama /Music – PG-13
100 minutes
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Charles, an eccentric lottery winner, lives alone on remote Wallis Island and decides to fulfill a lifelong dream by hiring his favorite musician, Herb McGwyer, for a private concert. Herb is surprised to discover that Charles has also invited his former band-mate—and former girlfriend, Nell, who arrives with her husband. Combining gentle humor with heartfelt drama, the film is a warm and thoughtful story about friendship, lost love, second chances, and the lasting power of music. Critics praised its understated charm and strong performances.

Rule Breakers

Friday, October 2, 2026
2025 - Morocco/Afghanistan - English
Drama - PG-13
120 minutes
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Inspired by a remarkable true story, Rule Breakers follows a determined woman who challenges tradition by creating opportunities for girls to receive an education in Afghanistan, where doing so is considered an act of defiance. As she mentors a group of talented young women, they face growing opposition from those who want to preserve the status quo. Through perseverance, teamwork, and courage, they discover that education has the power to change not only individual lives, but the future of an entire nation. This film celebrates the importance of education, opportunity, and standing up for what is right.

Jane Austen Wrecked My Life

Friday, November 6, 2026
2025 - France - French/English
Comedy/Romance/Drama - PG-13
98 minutes
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Agathe is a charming but accident-prone bookseller at the famous Shakespeare and Company bookstore in Paris. A devoted admirer of Jane Austen, she dreams of finding a romance worthy of an Austen novel, while secretly hoping to become a successful writer herself. When she is unexpectedly invited to a prestigious Jane Austen writers’ residency in England, Agathe must overcome her self-doubt, face the gap between fantasy and reality, and discover that real life—and real love—rarely follows the script of a classic novel. Filled with wit, literary references, and gentle humor, this film is a romantic comedy about finding confidence and embracing life’s imperfections. 

Rental Family

Friday, January 8, 2027
2025 - Japan/USA - Japanese/English
Comedy/Drama - PG-13
109 minutes
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Set in modern-day Tokyo, Rental Family stars Brendan Fraser as Phillip, an American actor whose career has stalled and whose life seems to have lost direction. Desperate for work, he accepts a job with a unique Japanese agency that provides actors to play family members, friends, and companions for people in need. As Phillip steps into the lives of his clients, the boundaries between performance and genuine emotion begin to blur, leading him to discover unexpected friendships, renewed purpose, and a deeper understanding of what it truly means to belong. Inspired by the real-life concept of Japan’s rental family services, the film balances gentle humor with heartfelt drama while exploring the importance of human connection.  

Hamnet

Friday, February 5, 2027
2025 - UK - English
Biography/Drama/History - PG-13
125 minutes
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Set in 16th-century England, Hamnet tells the moving story of William Shakespeare and his wife, Agnes, as they struggle to cope with the devastating death of their only son, Hamnet, at the age of eleven. While Shakespeare leaves home for London to pursue his career, Agnes is left to navigate the family’s grief. Both must find a way to carry on after loss. Inspired by Maggie O’Farrell’s bestselling novel, the film explores the emotional experiences that may have influenced Shakespeare’s writing of Hamlet, one of his greatest tragedies.

How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies

Friday, March 5, 2027
2024 - Thailand - Thai/Teochew 
Comedy/Drama/Family - PG-13
126 minutes
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When his grandmother is diagnosed with a terminal illness, M, a young man with few ambitions, sees an opportunity to earn her favor — and perhaps inherit her valuable home. He moves in to care for her, but quickly discovers that genuine love, trust, and family loyalty cannot be won with simple acts of kindness. As other relatives also hope to benefit from Grandma’s estate, M begins to see his grandmother as more than just an inheritance, and their relationship changes both of their lives.

Yellow Rose

Friday, April 2, 2027
2019 - Philippines/USA - English
Music/Drama - PG-13
94 minutes
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Rose is a 17-year-old undocumented Filipina living in a small Texas town, where she dreams of becoming a country music singer. Her life is turned upside down when her mother is detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, leaving Rose to fend for herself. Forced to leave behind the only home she has ever known, she travels to Austin, where she pursues her musical ambitions while confronting difficult choices about identity, family, and belonging. Blending heartfelt drama with an authentic country music soundtrack, Yellow Rose is a coming-of-age story about resilience, hope, and following one’s dreams despite overwhelming obstacles.

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