Reel Alternatives is a non-profit organization in partnership with Mary C. Moore Public Library and Film Circuit-a division of the Toronto International Film Festival Group- whose mandate is to provide  access to Canadian, international, and independent films that may not otherwise receive local screening. Films are shown on the third Thursday of the month at Reel to Reel Cinemas in Lacombe.

Advance tickets for each film are sold at Kavaccinos (5028 51st St., Lacombe) and the Mary C. Moore Public Library during the three week period prior to the film screening date until noon on the day of the film for $8 each. Door tickets are available at the theatre from 6:30pm on the day of the film for $9 each (subject to availability, cash only). Door tickets can not be reserved. Season passes are available prior to the first film of the Winter/Spring and Fall seasons.

Ticket proceeds go towards theatre rental fees, film distributor fees, and other promotional costs. Additional proceeds are donated to the Mary C. Moore Public Library. Thank you to all attendees for their continued support of this program. If you have any comments or inquiries, or want to be added to our email reminder list, contact the  Mary C. Moore Public Library (email:reelalternativeslacombe@gmail.com, Phone: 403-782-3433).

Our next film: Monsieur Lazhar

Monsieur Lazhar is playing Thursday, February 16, 7:15pm at Reel to Reel Cinemas. Watch the trailer here! Advance tickets on sale now at the library and Kavaccinos for $8 each (until noon Feb. 16). Door tickets $9, subject to availability. Don't miss out! Get your tickets today!

From Festival favorite Philippe Falardeau and the producers of last year’s Academy Award®–nominated Incendies comes Monsieur Lazhar, one of the most gripping Québécois films of the last decade. Expanded from a one-character play by Evelyne de la Chenelière, this complex character study speaks of loss, innocence and imposture in an eloquent yet simple manner.
Bachir Lazhar is a middle-aged Algerian immigrant seeking political refuge in Quebec. Bachir jumps at the opportunity to replace a Montreal elementary school teacher who committed suicide one night after class. The school’s overworked principal is initially relieved.
The story focuses on Bachir’s relationship with two of his pupils: a ten-year-old boy traumatized by discovering the body of his teacher, and a girl whose interpretation of the event and resentment toward her friend provoke unforeseen revelations. To these children in shock, Bachir’s traditional teaching methods, in the context of Quebec’s endless pedagogical reforms, may well provide the structure they need. Even if, to Bachir’s dismay, the work of Balzac remains beyond their reach.

Monsieur Lazhar is further proof of Falardeau’s talent for drawing out depth and precision from child actors. The fine performances in his latest work reflect the authenticity of the characters, and the story illustrates how adult hypocrisy and little white lies about death can turn a child’s world upside down when fate strikes. The screenplay’s line of questioning — how should we speak to children about death? — could have led to a very dark and dry film. Monsieur Lazhar is just the opposite: a luminous and tender tale about the lessons we learn from one another, regardless of age. Bachir has much to gain from his pupils, and so do we.

Produced by the team behind the Academy Award-nominated Incendies and directed by veteran filmmaker Philippe Falardeau, Monsieur Lazhar is one of the most acclaimed Québécois films of the last decade and Canada's submission for the 2011 Academy Award for Best Foreign Film.

Coming soon!

March 15: The Artist

April 19: Cafe de Flore

May 17: Albert Nobbs

June 21: Salmon Fishing in the Yemen