New films to open May 23 at Cinema Art Theater

The Rehoboth Beach Film Society’s Cinema Art Theater will present “The Friend” and “The Kiss,” starting Friday, May 23.

In “The Friend,” writer and teacher Iris (Naomi Watts) finds her comfortable, solitary New York life thrown into disarray after her closest friend and mentor (Bill Murray) dies suddenly and bequeaths her his beloved 150-lb. great dane. The regal yet intractable beast, named Apollo, immediately creates practical problems for Iris, from furniture destruction to eviction notices, as well as more existential ones, with his looming presence constantly reminding her of her friend's problematic choices in both life and death. As Iris finds herself unexpectedly bonding with the animal, she begins to come to terms with her past, her lost friend and her own creative inner life.

Based on Stefan Zweig's German classic, “Beware of Pity,” “The Kiss” is a romantic drama set against the backdrop of 1913 Denmark at the start of World War I. It follows the journey of Anton Abildgaard (Esben Semed), a noble cavalry officer hoping to complete his military training with distinction. After helping the local Baron Løvenskjold out of a tough situation one day with his automobile, he is invited to join the baron and his family for dinner at their castle, where he meets the baron's beautiful, wheelchair-bound daughter, Edith (Clara Rosanger). The two begin spending more and more time together as Edith slowly falls in love, and Anton struggles with wondering whether his feelings for her are genuine or stem from pity, all while the ominous threat of the first World War looms over them.

To learn more, go to rehobothfilm.com.