12 Arts & Entertainment

Foreign Film Review

by David Macdonald

We, the feline-admir- ers, might appreciate this film a bit more than the sadly deprived rest-of-the-world. The film is called When The Cat’s Away: a French film from a couple of years ago. As its title indicates, the story is what happens to a woman during her cat’s absence.

Gris-Gris (the cat) goes missing when, upon re- turning from a trip, its owner discovers that the cat-sitter (an old lady in a run-down apartment with cats crawling all over the place) has been unable to find it for days. This unfortunate experience forces her to proceed with a desperate search, involving putting up posters, as well as receiving help and support from an apparent network of elderly women who evidently

have a scientific understand- ing of the psychology of lost kittens.

Of course, the film is not just about the cat, but is an excuse for a bit of the woman’s self-discovery, who appears as if nothing exciting ever happens to her. Due to the connections she makes while looking for her cat, she meets many different people, including of course the eld- erly ladies, as well as a slightly dim but lovable man who obviously has a crush on her. She also has an eventful evening when, having ex- changed her plain wardrobe for a more “provocative” out- fit, she hangs out at the clubs and realizes the darker sides of many people, including those who she thought were her friends. Her time of self-

discovery allows her to deter- mine what sort of life she truly wants to lead, and what company she truly wants to keep.

This is an easygoing film, presenting the day-to- day lives of ordinary people, this case, in Paris. Nothing extremely dramatic happens, at least not for people who can’t stay awake unless something blows up. And everything resolves itself in an acceptable if not earth- shattering fashion. Without giving away the ending, I wonder if perhaps the next time its owner goes on a trip, Gris-Gris should be in the care of someone a bit more attentive to its whereabouts.

Rating:***

Who is Bemus Tun?

Cape Breton rockers to visit Charlottetown

Bemus Tun, a Cape Breton band that (some- what exasperatedly) pro- fesses to be neither Celtic nor country, will be mak- ing a two date stop in Charlottetown on Feb. 19 and 20 at the Phoenix and

Baba’s Lounge, respec- tively.

The band was

formed in January of 1997, and promises an eclectic mix of everything from “melodic contemplation

and ambient experimental sounds, to full force jazz/ funk and intense rock.”

Watch for posters publicizing the event closer to the concert dates for details.

The Cadre + 9 February 1999

Biography of Wanda Wyatt to be launched February 21, 1999

A bi hy of Wanda Wyatt by UPEI professor, Deirdre Kessler, will be launched on Sunday, February 21, at 2 p.m. in the Summerside waterfront arts complex named after Wanda Wyatt—The Wyatt Centre & Harbourfront Jubilee Theatre. A short formal programme & entertainment will begin at 2:15 p.m.

A Century on Spring Street: Wanda Lefurgey Wyatt of Summerside, Prince Edward Island (1895-1998) is based on interviews with Wanda Wyatt herself, with her friends and fam- ily, and on the extensive diaries, correspondence, and records that Miss Wyatt kept for most of her long life.

A Century on Spring Street was published by Indigo Press. The book is lavishly illustrated, with 90 colour & 300 black & white photographs, 496 pages, indexed.

Deirdre ¥ Kessler teaches children’s literature with the UPEI English Department and is co-chair of the L.M. Montgomery Institute.

For more information, contact the author directly at kessler@upei.ca.

Women’s Film Series ‘99

Co-sponsored by the Women’s Studies Program, the Women’s Center, Women’s Network PEI, and the PEI Advisory Council on the Status of Women.

Sunday February 7, Sunday February 14 and Sunday March 7, all at 2:00 pm at City Cinema on King St. Admission $3.00. February 7- Women and Politics theme

Marilyn Waring: Sex, Lies and Global Economics- (NFB film) Love Affair with Politics: A Portrait of Marion Dewar-(NFB film) February 14 - Women and Relationships theme

The Theory of Flight (starring Helena Bonham Carter and Kenneth Brannagh)

March 7 - International Women’s Day theme

The 5 Minute Project — a series of 5 minute videos from around the world, celebrating the diversity of women’s lives. Initially made for the UN Conference on Women held in Bejing in 1995. for more information, contact: abraithwaite@upei.ca

All City Vetropolis (Effi (M.C.A.)