PHILOMENA NOMINATED FOR SPECIAL AWARD
In 1952, a teenage Irish gal named Philomena (played by Judi Dench), unaware of how babies are made while growing up, gives birth to a son while in a convent along with other unwed mothers and pregnant women. Three years later, the son is adopted by a family and taken to the United States, where as Michael Hess (Sean Mahon) he becomes a famous attorney for President Reagan and George H. W. Bush, but dies of AIDS at age 47. In 2002, after Philomena discloses that she wants to search for her son, word of her quest is relayed to journalist Martin Sixsmith (Steve Coogan), who then guides her in the search. The journalist shows indignation toward the Catholic Church for such a practice, especially while confronting Sister Hildegard (Barbara Jefford), the surviving nun from that era, though Philomena pursues the search in a saintly manner. Philomena, directed by Stephen Frears, was unfortunately not advertised as a film about human rights, though that theme was reveaked in 2014 when prospects emerged that Judi Dench might win a Best Actress award. Accordingly, the Political Film Society Board of Directors voted on March 1 to nominate Philomena for a special award (the Stanley Award). A vote will take place in 2015. MH
DIVERGENT EXPOSES CONTRADICTIONS IN A UTOPIAN SOCIETY
Based on the novel by Veronica Roth, the film Divergent takes place in a Chicago a century after a war that has devastated the planet and made life possible only in small self-contained communities. To maintain order, the population is divided into six groups—intellectuals (Erudite), police (Undaunted), government executive and legislative officials (Abnegation), judiciary (Candor), farmers (Amity), and the homeless who belong to none of the five groups. Families within each group cultivate their offspring to remain within their group. At the age of sixteen, they are given an aptitude test to determine to which group they are most suited, though they can choose to join another group. Those with aptitude for two or more groups, called “divergent,” are considered a threat to the peaceful order, so any discovery of their existence could result in execution or homelessness. When the film begins, Tris (played by Shaileen Woodley) takes the test and learns that she has aptitude for three groups. She joins the Undaunted caste and in most of the film undergoes strict physical and mental training, although strangely without weightlifting to produce strength. But she soon learns from a boyfriend (Theo James) of a planned coup to have Undaunted arrest leaders of the ruling Abnegation caste so that the Erudites can seize power. Neil Burger directs the film to a contradictory ending. MH