The Malagasy Way

The Malagasy people of Madagascar offer a case study in the value of a life built on ingenuity and taking satisfaction from labor in the documentary The Malagasy Way. While the world economic crisis only further hurt the impoverished people, their spirits never seem to dip thanks to their familial bonds and determination. The documentary offers up short glimpses at families making a living by taking what they can find and making the most out of it: reselling containers scavenged from the trash, making soap out of ash and animal bone, creating oil lamps from burnt out light bulbs, and recycling old tires to make durable sandals. It's "one man's trash is another man's treasure" in action. These threads are tied together with footage of a traveling musical group that keeps the Malagasy cultural traditions alive. It's hard to walk away from The Malagasy Way and not feel a sense of optimism from the joy these people find in the face of what Western cultures might consider unbearable conditions.

Screening: May 20 at 4, SIFF Cinema Uptown, $11

Beats of the Antonov

In the face of the Second Sudanese Civil War, the people in the Blue Nile and Nuba Mountain regions of South Sudan refuse to let their vibrant musical culture die. The documentary Beats of the Antonov shows how the people maintain their vitality with the rhythmic sounds of the region played on homemade instruments, even while living in fear of bombs reigning terror from above. With the stark contrast of celebratory music and militaristic imagery, the film offers a portrait of the undying spirit of the war-torn land. Director Hajooj Kuka is scheduled to attend both screenings.

Screenings: May 21 at 6:30, SIFF Cinema Uptown, $13 / May 22 at 4, AMC Pacific Place 11, $11

Faces of Yesler Terrace

Decades after the construction of the Yesler Terrace, Washington state's first racially-integrated housing development, the Seattle International Film Festival presents the documentary Even the Walls and short film Hagereseb as part of its Faces of Yesler Terrace program. Set against the backdrop of the city's rapid gentrification and changing demography, these works by Seattle filmmakers visiting moments in the past and present to tell Yesler's stories.

Screening: May 23 at 11am, Harvard Exit Theatre, $13

Even the Walls Trailer from Saman Maydani on Vimeo.

People, Places, Things

Jemaine Clement (Flight of the Conchords) humorously navigates the world of the single divorced dad in the new comedy People, Places, Things. Clement plays cartoonist Will Henry, a man who must balance his time with his daughters, teaching cartooning, and finding new romance after catching his wife cheating on him at his daughter's 5th birthday party. It seems like the perfect vehicle for the actor's charmingly awkward style. Clement is scheduled to attend the May 23 screening.

Screenings: May 23 at 6, SIFF Cinema Uptown, $25 / May 24 at 1:30, SIFF Cinema Egyptian, $13

Vincent

Vincent is perfect for those moviegoers who feel burnt out by Marvel blockbusters but still love the idea of super powers. The French film follows the titular Vincent (actor/writer/director Thomas Salvador), a slim countryside-wandering vagrant who gains superhuman strength and athleticism whenever drenched in water. Essentially, he's a more literal Aquaman. Soon after landing a construction job, he meets Lucie (Vimala Pons) and falls in love. Everything goes great for the couple until an incident at works sends their lives spinning. Vincent is everything American superhero movies aren't: quiet, shy, sparse, ground, character-driven, and devoid of CGI spectacle.

Screenings: May 24 at 6:30, SIFF Cinema Uptown, $13 / May 25 at 3:30, SIFF Cinema Uptown, $13 / May 28 at 6, Lincoln Square Cinemas, $13

(Note: The actual film is subtitled, but the trailer is not.)