Taxidermia contains three generational stories, about a grandfather, a father, and a son, linked together by recurring motifs. The dim grandfather, an orderly during World War II, lives in his bizarre fantasies; he desires love. The huge father seeks success as a top athlete—a speed eater—in the post-war pro-Soviet era. The grandson, a meek, small-boned taxidermist, yearns for something greater: immortality. He wants to create the most perfect work of art of all time by stuffing his own torso. Historical facts and surrealism become intertwined as magical realism, such as in the works of Gabriel Garcia Marquez or the Hungarian writer Lajos Parti Nagy. The script is based on two of the latter’s stories. Director György Pálfi added the third story about the taxidermist grandson. Please Note: This film is extremely graphic. Viewer discretion is advised. In Hungarian, English, and Russian with English subtitles. Admission is $6 for all University of Miami faculty, staff, and alumni; free for students. General admission is $8. The film screens on Friday, October 30 at 9 p.m.; Saturday, October 31 at 4 and 8 p.m.; and Sunday, November 1 at 2 and 6 p.m. For more information, visit www.cosfordcinema.com.

Paul Aufiero (Patton Oswalt), a 35-year-old parking-garage attendant from Staten Island, is the self-described “world’s biggest Giants fan.” His family berates him for doing nothing with his life, but they don’t understand the depth of his love for the Giants or the responsibility his fandom carries. One night, Paul and his best friend Sal spot Giants star linebacker Quantrell Bishop. They follow him to a strip club, where they hang in the background, agog at their hero. Paul cautiously decides to approach him, stepping into the rarefied air of football stardom—and things do not go as planned. The fallout from this chance encounter brings Paul’s world crashing down around him as his family, the team, the media, and the authorities engage in a tug of war over Paul, testing his allegiances and calling into question everything he believes in. The film screens on Friday, October 30 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, October 31 at 2 and 6 p.m.; and Sunday, November 1 at 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.cosfordcinema.com.

In the sixth year at Hogwarts, in both wizard and muggle worlds, Lord Volemort and his henchmen are increasingly active. With vacancies to fill at Hogwarts, Professor Dumbledore persuades Horace Slughorn to become the potions teacher. Harry Potter, together with Dumbledore, must face treacherous tasks to defeat his evil nemesis. Admission is $6 for all University of Miami faculty, staff, and alumni; free for students. General admission is $8. The film screens on Saturday, October 31 at 10 p.m. and Sunday, November 1 at 8 p.m. For more information, visit www.cosfordcinema.com.

The Inter-American Course in Clinical Ophthalmology is designed for practicing ophthalmologists in Latin America and the Caribbean and emphasizes practical approaches to selected clinical problems. In addition to the course material, presented with simultaneous English-Spanish translation, more than 60 commercial exhibitors will participate in an accompanying trade show. The event takes place Sunday through Wednesday, November 1-4 at the Hilton Miami Downtown. For more information, call 305-326-6110, fax 305-326-6518, e-mail [email protected] or click here.

The St. Patrick’s Day Committee’s Celtic Cultural Series presents a discussion of Ivy Day in the Committee Room by James Joyce. Patrick  A. McCarthy, chair of the English Department and co-editor of the James Joyce Literary Supplement, will provide insights into the short story, which was published in the collection Dubliners and was considered by Joyce to be among his best. The presentation will take place at 4 pm. on Sunday, November 1 in the upstairs room of John Martin’s Restaurant, 253 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables.

McCarthy, who has taught at the University of Miami since 1976,  teaches surveys of modern Irish literature as well as courses devoted to James Joyce and Samuel Beckett. His research focuses on Joyce, Beckett, and other modern writers who have considerable imaginative reach. All Celtic Cultural Series events are free and open to all.  Ample parking is available on Miracle Mile and in the City Parking Garage behind John Martin’s, accessible from Aragon Avenue.