Bhubaneswar, Dec. 26: Film Society of Bhubaneswar (FSB) will screen two movies this Friday evening. The screenings at Jayadev Bhavan will be their last show of the year.

These screenings are part of the FSB’s efforts to develop a healthy appetite of world cinema among movie buffs of the state capital.

The first film to be screened is Karen Cries on the Bus (2011), the debut film of young Colombian filmmaker Gabriel Rojas Vera. It is the story of a woman, Karen, in contemporary Bogotá, Colombia, who takes her first steps towards independence and self discovery.

After 10 years of marriage, Karen realises that she has left behind her dreams while devoting herself to household chores. Realising that it was a mistake, she separates from her husband. She goes to Bogotá and with her savings rents a room. However, her age and inexperience make it difficult for her to get a job. Finally, she meets a young hairdresser and they become friends. With her younger and seemingly stronger friend by her side, Karen takes her first steps towards independence and self discovery.

The film had its international premiere at the 2011 Berlin Film Festival in the Panorama section. The running time of the film is 98 minutes.

The second screening of the evening will be an early work of Oscar-winning filmmaker Ang Lee whose works represent varied genres and styles.

Before he became a worldwide sensation with productions such as Sense and Sensibility (1995), Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000), Brokeback Mountain (2005) and, more recently, Life of Pi, based on Yann Martel’s novel and an absolute 3D delight, he had made Eat Drink Man Woman, a film set in Taiwan that revolved around a chef and his three daughters.

The two-hour film narrates the story of a father, a famous chef, who has lost his taste buds but still cooks, though he draws no pleasure from eating.

His daughters, meanwhile, deal with both the disappointments and surprises of daily living. Their lives shape up in a way bringing them at loggerheads to the expectations set by their widowed father.

The meals the chef prepares and serves his family become the departure point for a touching family drama coping with personal lives.

The film, which captures a shift in generations in Taipei, provides insights about the auteur director’s mastery over his art.

“A great deal of discussion is involved in choosing the films to be screened and only after a consensus is reached among the FSB members, a screening is announced,” said Subas Das, president of the film society.

“Many of our members keep attending major film festivals and bring valuable suggestions to the table. After a lot of brainstorming, films, which the city people can appreciate, are selected. We hope next year more people will join us as we continue to popularise and exhibit films from all corners of the world,” said Das.