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Mandarin-language comedy, set in the remote, economically depressed Chinese province of Shanxi, about two unemployed, directionless 19-year-olds who deal with romantic complications when they’re not contemplating their own uncertain futures. Written and directed by Jia Zhang-ke. With Zhao Tao, Zhao Wei, Wu Qiong, Wang Hong Wei and Zhou Qing Feng. Also known as “Ren xiao yao.” Flat. 113 min. Feb. 21 in New York. New Yorker. Documentary-style Farsi-language drama, set in 1997 in a Tehran suburb, about a textile factory employee who finds comfort in her friends and family despite the nation’s stifling governmental regime. Directed by Rakhshan Bani-Etemad from a screenplay by Bani-Etemad and Farid Mostafavi. With Golab Adineh, Mohammad Reza Forutan, Boran Kosari, Ebrahin Sheibani and Mohsen Ghazi Moradi. Also known as “Zir-e poost-e shahr.” Flat. 92 min. Feb. 7 in New York and Los Angeles. Magnolia. Dark comedy, set in Los Angeles’ Hollywood Hills, about four self-destructive showbiz neophytes – including a model and an aspiring film director – whose day of relaxation takes a disastrous turn. Based on the play “Magic Afternoon” by Wolfgang Bauer. Catherine Jelski makes her feature directorial debut from her own screenplay. With Devon Gummersall (“Dick”), Eion Bailey (“Almost Famous”), Arly Jover (“Imposter”) and Leslie Bibb (“See Spot Run”). Flat. 88 min. Feb. 28. Indican. English-language drama, set in 1942 Germany and based on a true story, about a Protestant German SS officer who helped perfect the deadly Zyklon B gas, and his efforts to alert the Pope when he learns the gas is being used to exterminate Jewish prisoners in Nazi death camps. Based on the 1963 German play “The Deputy” by Rolf Hochhuth. Directed by Costa-Gavras (“Mad City”) from a screenplay by Jean-Claude Grumberg (“The Last Metro”). With Ulrich Tukur (“Solaris”), Mathieu Kassovitz (“Birthday Girl”), Ulrich Mühe, Michel Duchaussoy (“The Widow of St. Pierre”) and Marcel Iures (“Hart’s War”). 132 min. Jan. 24. Kino. When the teen survivors of a horrific auto accident begin meeting untimely fates, the survivors among the group get help from some people involved in the infamous years-old crash of Flight 180. Sequel to the 2000 thriller. Directed by David R. Ellis (“Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco”) from a screenplay by Mackye Gruber & Eric Bress. Returnees from part one include Ali Larter (“Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back”) and Tony Todd (“Le Secret”). Newcomers to the series include Michael Landes (“Hart’s War”), A.J. Cook (“Out Cold”), Keegan Connor Tracy (“40 Days and 40 Nights”), T.C. Carson (“U-571”) and James N. Kirk (“Head Over Heels”). Jan. 31. New Line. Romantic comedy about a pair of young newlyweds – the bride is a writer from a well-to-do family, the groom is a traffic reporter – who find their honeymoon in Venice besieged by the bride’s disapproving friends, family and ex-boyfriend. Directed by Shawn Levy (“Big Fat Liar”) from a screenplay by Sam Harper (“Rookie of the Year”). With Brittany Murphy (“8 Mile”), Ashton Kutcher (“Texas Rangers”), Christian Kane (“Life or Something Like It”), Monet Mazur (“40 Days and 40 Nights”), David Moscow (“Riding in Cars With Boys”), Taran Killam (“Big Fat Liar”) and Joe Vassallo (“Blankman”). Flat. 94 min. PG-13: Sexual content; some crude humor; a brief drug reference. Jan. 10. Fox. Re-release of the 1970 French-language thriller about an upper-class thief and an escaped murderer who together plan a jewel heist – with an angry mobster and a police superintendent on their trail. Written and directed by Jean-Pierre Melville. With Alain Delon (“Concorde: Airport ‘79”), Bourvil, Gian Maria Volonté (“Open Doors”), Yves Montand (“Manon of the Spring”) and Paul Crauchet (“My Mother’s Castle”). Also known as “The Red Circle.” 135 min. Jan. 10 in New York. Rialto. Actioner about an undefeated underground motorcycle racer whose domination of the sport is threatened by the arrival of a young racing prodigy determined to oust him. Based on a New Times Magazine article by Michael Gougis. Screenwriter Reggie Rock Bythewood (“Get on the Bus”) directs from a script by Bythewood and Craig Fernandez. With Laurence Fishburne (“Once in the Life”), Derek Luke (“The Great White Hype,” “Antwone Fisher”), Kid Rock (“Joe Dirt”), Orlando Jones (“The Time Machine,” “Drumline”), Larenz Tate (“Why do Fools Fall in Love?”), Eriq La Salle (“One Hour Photo”), Salli Richardson (“Antwone Fisher”) and Meagan Good. Jan. 31. DreamWorks. Re-release of the 1952 Japanese-language drama about a bureaucrat who decides to stop squandering what’s left of his life after he is diagnosed with terminal cancer. Directed by Akira Kurosawa (“Rhapsody in August,” “Seven Samurai”) from a screenplay by Kurosawa, Shinobu Hashimoto and Hideo Oguni (“Ran”). With Takashi Shimura, Shinichi Himori, Haruo Tanaka, Minoru Chiaki and Miki Okagiri. 140 min. Jan. 17. Cowboy. Documentary about the life of avant-garde experimental filmmaker Maya Deren (1917-1961) featuring footage from her films, interviews with other counterculture filmmakers, and archival audio interviews with Deren. Written and directed by Martina Kudlácek. Featuring Jonas Mekas. Also known as “Im Spiegel der Maya Deren.” Flat. 104 min. Jan. 24 in New York. Zeitgeist. French-language drama about a solitary, unaffecting carpentry teacher who takes a 16-year-old delinquent into his wood-working camp – only to discover the boy killed the teacher’s son five years earlier. Written and directed by the “Rosetta” team of Luc & Jean-Pierre Dardenne. With Olivier Gourmet (“Laissez-passer”), Morgan Marinne, Isabella Soupart, Rémy Renaud and Nassim Hassaïni. Also known as “Le Fils.” Flat. 103 min. Jan. 10 in New York. New Yorker.