Screening Theme

“Europe Under the Sun… Cinema Dancing with Light”

As part of the Jesuit Cinema Club program for May, we invite you to join us in exploring how filmmakers use natural sunlight in film production as a conscious artistic choice within an integrated cinematic vision. This choice may stem from a filmmaker’s alignment with certain cinematic methodologies—such as realism, which tends to favor natural daylight, real locations, and handheld cameras—or from a desire to create a specific visual atmosphere that enhances emotional impact. It may also arise from artistic experimentation or even practical production constraints, like cost reduction.

Regardless of the reasons behind the use of sunlight in filming, a truly well-crafted film is one that seamlessly integrates methodology, style, aesthetics, and production elements into a unified artistic vision.

As we welcome the summer season together, we present in this theme a selection of standout European films that exemplify the creative use of sunlight in filmmaking—each with its own distinct motivations and techniques.

Two Days, One Night
Directed by Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne

The story follows Sandra, a young mother working at a factory in Liège, Belgium. She finds herself on the verge of losing her job after her colleagues vote to receive a bonus in exchange for her dismissal. Over the course of one weekend—her final chance—she must visit each colleague and convince them to forgo their bonus so she can keep her job.

Two Days, One Night by the Belgian Dardenne brothers was nominated for 85 awards, including:

• Academy Award for Best Actress (Marion Cotillard)

• Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival

• BAFTA Award for Best Film Not in the English Language

• Critic awards from New York, Chicago, Boston, London, San Diego, and several other international bodies.

The film won 41 awards, including:

• Best Actress (Marion Cotillard) from the European Film Academy

• Best Film at the Sydney Film Festival

• Best Foreign Language Film from critics’ associations in Boston, Denver, and San Diego

• Best Film and Best Director (Dardenne brothers) at Belgium’s Magritte Awards.

Genre: Drama
Production: Belgium – France – Italy (European co-production)
Language: French (with Arabic subtitles)
Release Year: 2014
Duration: 95 minutes

📽️ The screening will be followed by an open discussion with the audience.
🎟️ Free entry – No prior registration or reservation required.

AI generated translation.