Odd Horten (Baard Owe) is a former train driver who struggles to adjust to the freedoms of retirement. Most of this movie takes place in the snow-covered Oslo night, where Horten encounters a series of erratic characters as his own behavior slides into nonconformity. The writer/director (Bent Hamer) fills this movie with little eccentricities that are rarely explained but often provoke amusement. O’Horten is a wonderfully amusing piece, with Hamer demonstrating his innate ability for offbeat comedy.  Admission is $6 for all UM alumni, faculty, and staff, and is free for students. General admission is $8. The film screens on Friday, July 31 at 7 p.m., Saturday, August 1 at 4:15  and 8:05 p.m., and Sunday, August 2 at 4:15 and 8:15 p.m. For more information, visit www.cosfordcinema.com.

Following five years of extraordinary success with La Sonnambula, Norma, and Beatrice di Tenda, I Puritani is the richest example of transition from lyrical classicism to the passion of romanticism by Bellini, who died at the age of 34. The first performances in Paris in 1835, interpreted by the most beautiful voices at that time, became a legend. For this production of I Puritani, the Teatro comunale di Bologna has reunited two young stars who could well become the dream couple in the opera world: Juan Diego Flórez and Nino Machaidze. Conducted by the extremely talented Michele Mariotti, I Puritani has been directed by the internationally renowned Pier’Alli. General admission is $8. The film screens on Saturday, August 1 at 1  p.m. and Sunday, August 2 at 1  p.m. For more information visit www.cosfordcinema.com.

In his latest piece of cine-journalism, Kirby Dick exposes what he deems to be the rampant, hypocritical homophobia that exists in an American government that is, in fact, teeming with closeted homosexuals. Dick interviews the political community’s most prominent gay figures–including former New Jersey governor Jim McGreevey and Congressman Barney Frank–as well as many others, who share their own thoughtful insights into just how deeply the personal and political corruption runs. Dick brings an impassioned and well-reasoned eye to his material, delivering an illuminating, stirring call to arms. General admission is $8. The film screens on Friday, July 31 at 9 p.m., Saturday, August 1 at 6:10 and 10 p.m., and Sunday, August 2 at 6:15 p.m. For more information, visit www.cosfordcinema.com.