Movie Buffs Rejoice—

Foreign And Indie Film Series Beginning At Booth Library

While Edmond Town Hall Theater has done a great job of bringing some quality foreign films to local audiences, Newtown art and independent movie lovers usually have to travel to Bethel Cinema to catch first run art house films. But on Thursday, February 12, at 7:30 pm, C.H. Booth Library will launch a new Foreign and Independent Film Series.

The library’s film series will highlight major festival winners that rarely make it to suburban theaters. The programming will offer local movie lovers a to see recent, acclaimed foreign and independent gems that rarely get to nonfestival audiences. The Belgian movie, HOP, directed by Dominique Standaert, will kick off the brand-new series.

HOP tells the often told David and Goliath story, only in this version the conflict is between an African pygmy boy and Belgian immigration authorities. All Justin and his father wanted to do was enjoy a soccer game together. However this sparks a chain of events that leads to his father’s deportation, and Justin finds himself alone and on the run. Enlisting the help of a former anarchist, Justin embarks on a thrilling adventure to reunite with his father.

In order to fight the system, the boy finds he will need to apply the secret of the HOP.

According to the publicity, “This morally rich yet uplifting story is shot in black and white yet is an incredibly colorful film.”

The film has won myriad awards including The Joseph Plateau Prize (Belgium’s Oscar) for Best Actress and The Joseph Plateau Prize for Best Musical Score in addition to the Young Public “Art et Essais” Prize in 2003. Screened again at the Cine Junior 94 Festival in 2003, HOP took home both the Grand Prize and the Audience Awards.

Thursday’s screening will also include Lick the Star, a 14-minute short directed by Sophia Coppola.

HOP is not subject to rating by the MPAA. The film portrays adult situations including some hard language and violence and is not recommended for ages under 17 without parental permission. HOP runs for 104 minutes and is in French and Flemish with English subtitles. Admission is free and so is the popcorn.

The Foreign Film Series will continue on February 26 with Inch’ Allah Dimanch. With a running time of 98 minutes, the film is in French with English subtitles. The short film will be Black Rider by Pepe Donquart.

C.H. Booth Library, at 25 Main Street in Newtown, can be reached 426-4533 for additional information. All screenings begin at 7:30, and admission is free.