Return to Ithaca

Director Laurent Cantet won the Palme d'Or in Cannes for his 2008 English language debut, the school drama Class. He went on to an adaptation of Joyce Carol Oates' 1950s novel Foxfire, which misfired, and one segment of the portmanteau project 7 Days In Havana. While working in Cuba he met screenwriter Leonardo Padura, and they have reunited for this thoughtful chamber piece that sees five old friends meet on a Hanvana rooftop after years apart. Amadeo (Nestor Jimenez) is a writer who has been in self-exile in Spain for 16 years. Aldo (Pedro Julia Diaz Ferran) hosts the homecoming dinner, attended by the artist Rafa (Fernando Hechevarrio), businessman Eddy (Jorge Perugorria) and Amadeo's biggest critic, Tania (Isobel Santos). Among the topics they address are the end of the socialist dream (with an insightful analyses on life after the fall of the Berlin Wall) and how relationships between family and friends change by chance and design. Canet skillfully makes light while packing a huge emotional punch. *
. Thursday, October 30, 6.45pm, Vox 5; Friday, October 31, 5pm, Vox 2

Showing on Thursday, October 30, 6.45pm, Vox 5 and Friday, October 31, 5pm, Vox 2.