Danish filmmaker Frank Poulsen has always used cell phones produced by Nokia because of their reputation as a socially conscious company. But then he discovers that minerals used in Nokia devices—in fact, all mobile devices—have a cruel supply chain, with children mining ore that funds rebel forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo. A terrible story, true, but the problem with social causes is that sometimes they’re become a vehicle for self-promotion. Early in the film Poulsen calls various Nokia departments in search of answers, and a flyer for Blood in the Mobile with a blood-colored mobile phone graphic prominently displayed behind him. Then he goes to the Democratic Republic of Congo. What he reveals is harrowing and is sure to make you think about where your headset is made, but too often it seems like one more case of a documentary filmmaker inserting himself into the story. In Person: Special guests from Friends of the Congo and Raise Hope for Congo (guest appearances are subject to change). —Pat Padua
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Today at 8:45 p.m. at Landmark E Street Cinema; Friday at 6:30 p.m. at the Naval Heritage Center. $11.
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The Snows of Kilimanjaro
Quiet and contemplative, the French film The Snows of Kilimanjaro pulls the audience into the world of Michel and Marie-Claire, a couple 20 years married and still very much in love. Recently laid off from work, Michel is struggling with the idea of retirement until a robbery in his own home makes him reconsider his whole world. All his life he’s wanted to do the right thing, be a hero like his childhood idol Spiderman. But when confronted with the reality of his robber’s motives, Michel is forced to come to terms with what it means to be a good guy. Can you be middle class and successful, moderately wealthy in the face of others’ poverty and be okay with that? Wrestling through guilt, regret, and unfairness in life, Michel and Marie-Claire work their way to a place of peace and contentment by the end of the film, and bring the audience along with them. While their happily ever after isn’t perfect, it’s close enough for them. —Elisabeth Grant
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Thursday at 8:15 p.m. and Saturday at 5 p.m. at the Avalon Theatre. Tickets: $11.
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While women have long been known as talented and iconic jazz vocalists—think Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday—fewer have been recognized for their prowess as instrumentalists. The Girls in the Band seeks to change that, shedding light on the role women played as drummers, trombonists, saxophonists, trumpeters and pianists in jazz and big band music from the 1930s to present. Told through a rich tapestry of first-person interviews, pictures, video, and music, the film celebrates women both for their contribution to the music of the time and their perseverance against societal norms—even among their male musical counterparts—that constantly threatened to hold them back. As one says during the film, “The guys could have glasses and white hair and weigh 300 pounds, but if they could play, great.” Female musicians enjoyed no such deference, but that they remained largely undeterred in helping craft America’s homegrown musical genres makes their abilities—and the movie—that much more compelling. —Martin Austermuhle
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Wednesday, April 18 at 6:30 p.m.; Thursday, April 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the Landmark E Street Theatre. Tickets: $11.
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DCist’s highly selective roundup of films playing at FilmFest DC continues throughout the festival. See previous coverage here.
