November 30 - December 10, 2000
An Exhibition of International Cinema

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United Kingdom, 1998, 35mm, 115 minutes
English
Director: Ben Hopkins

Set in Poland in the late 19th century, Simon Magus is a dark fable of love, demonology, and supernatural business practices. Noah Taylor, fresh from his starring turn in 1996's Shine, plays Simon Magus -- an outcast of a man possessed by his strange dreams and visions, yet only allowed to perform menial tasks for the townspeople. Known by all but friend to none, Simon is prey to visions of the devil --and the secrets of the villagers, rich, poor, Jew and Gentile alike. His unusual position makes him the key player in a struggle to build a railway station in town bringing the village into the modern era. Amid this misty landscape, poor Jewish scholar Dovid (Stuart Townsend) attempts to curry favor with the local widow, Leah (played by Schindler's List's Embeth Daviditz), by engineering a plan with the help of the landowner "Squire" (played by Blade Runner's Rutger Hauer). Waiting to foil these designs is Hase, a wealthy schemer with railway plans of his own. British writer/director Ben Hopkins' first feature film is a mix of horror, fantasy and romance that creates an atmosphere reminiscent of the work of Terry Gilliam and Tim Burton.

Winner Best Actor 1999, Best Director 1999
     Catalonian International Film Festival, Sitges, Spain
     Best Actor (Noah Taylor), Best Director (Ben Hopkins)
Nominated, Golden Berlin Bear 1999, Berlin International Film Festival
     Director Ben Hopkins
Nominated, Douglas Hickox Award 1999, British Independent Film Awards
     Director Ben Hopkins
Nominated, Golden Frog Award 1999, Camerimage
     Cinematographer Nicholas D. Knowland
Nominated, Best Film 1999, Catalonian International Film Festival, Sitges, Spain
Nominated, Best Film Award 1999, Molodist International Film Festival
     Best Full-Length Fiction Film

In cooperation with The British Council

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