Women With Vision 2007: Mirror Image

From March 2-17, the Walker Art Center presents Women with Vision 2007: Mirror Image. The 14th annual international festival of films by women directors presents"‰ the best contemporary cinema, offering not only a reflection of our world, but also new ways of seeing ourselves. The first six features-from Italy, France, Scotland, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Germany-are grouped under the banner "New Europe."

Moving past post-colonialism, these dramas and comedies identify a place where people are united by their situations rather than separated by their differences. From America, filmmakers look deeply into our collective souls, some exploring the dark territories of fear and alienation, while others use humor to decipher regret and tolerance. From Iran come two films that add complexity and humanity to our understanding of life there.

Special programs include Animation from Zagreb (March 14, 7:30 pm), with a screening of new work by animator Nicole Hewitt; and a memorial tribute to French filmmaker Danièle Huillet (March 9, 9:30 pm), who died last October. And this year, the festival proudly presents two world premieres by local documentary filmmakers: Joanna Kohler's Boxers will be screened at the Uppercut Gym in Northeast Minneapolis on Saturday, March 10, 9:30 pm; and Melody Gilbert's Urban Explorers: Into the Darkness lets us experience the thrilling and dangerous world of urban exploration, Friday, March 16, 9:30 pm.

Other highlights of this year's festival include the opening-night presentation of the 2006 Berlin International Film Festival Golden Bear winner Grbavica: The Land of My Dreams, directed by Jasmila Žbanić, on Friday, May 2, at 8 pm; Andrea Arnold's Red Road, which was awarded the Jury Prize at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival, on Sunday, March 4, 2 pm; and the closing-night screening of Tata Amaral's Antonia, on Saturday, March 17, 8 pm.The annual sidebar festival Girls in the Director's Chair will take place on Saturday, March 3, featuring works by girls and young women.

Unless otherwise noted, all films are screened in the Cinema. Tickets are $8 $(6 Walker members) and can be purchased by calling the Walker box office at 612.375.7600 or online at walkerart.org/tickets. -- www..walkerart.org