WE HAVE A POPE and MONSIEUR LAZHAR Open at Michigan Theater Tonight, 5/4

Michigan theater has announced two films opening tonight, May 4, the Italian drama We Have a Pope and French film Monsieur Lazhar.

WE HAVE A POPE - OPENING FRIDAY, MAY 4 at the Michigan

Nanni Moretti (The Son’s Room, Caro Diario) joins forces with the great French actor Michel Piccoli(Contempt, I’m Going Home) to tell the story of Melville, a cardinal who suddenly finds himself elected as the next Pope. Never the front runner and completely caught off guard, he panics as he’s presented to the faithful in St. Peter’s Square. To prevent a world wide crisis, the Vatican’s spokesman calls in an unlikely psychiatrist who is neither religious or all that committed, played by Moretti, to find out what is wrong with the new Pope. As the world nervously waits outside, inside the therapist tries to find a solution. But Cardinal Melville is adamant: he does not want the job, or at least needs time to think it over. What follows is a marvelous insight into the concept of a human being existing behind the title of God’s representative on Earth. Habemus Papam (original title) is the latest film by Moretti to make wonderful use of humor while dealing with serious issues and continue to showcase his deep humanism. 102 minutes.

MONSIEUR LAZHAR - OPENING FRIDAY, MAY 4 at the Michigan

Nominated for an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, Monsieur Lazhar tells the poignant story of a Montreal middle school class shaken by the death of their well-liked teacher. Bachir Lazhar (Fellag), a 55-year-old Algerian immigrant, offers the school his services as a substitute teacher and is quickly hired. As he helps the children heal, he also learns to accept his own painful past. This moving film features exquisite performances by Fellag and a stunning ensemble of child actors. 94 minutes. Rated PG-13.