For more than four decades, the Arts Array film series has given local movie buffs the chance to catch big-screen showings of “alternative” films that otherwise might never have made it into theaters around the Tri-Cities.
That tradition will continue this month when Arts Array kicks off its 42nd season with the independent film “Albert Nobbs,” showing at 4 and 7:30 p.m., Aug. 27 and 28 at the Abingdon Cinemall.
“The series programs foreign films, documentaries and independent American films that film buffs in the area don’t have access to in commercial movie theaters,” said series coordinator Ben Jennings. “We have had excellent community support for this series all these years.”
Glenn Close was nominated for an Academy Award this year for her role in “Albert Nobbs,” about a woman who disguises herself as a man to secure a job in 19th-century male-dominated Ireland. The film is based on Irish author George Moore’s short story and also features the renowned British stage actress Janet McTeer and the fast-rising young American actress Mia Wasikowska.
Arts Array features predominantly foreign films this fall, including the Academy Award-winning Iranian film “A Separation” on Sept. 24 and 25; “The Skin I Live In,” directed by Spain’s Pedro Almodóvar and starring Antonio Banderas, on Oct. 1 and 2; the French film “In Darkness” on Oct. 8 and 9; “The Flowers of War,” the most expensive Chinese film ever made, on Oct. 15 and 16; and the Belgium film “A Kid with a Bike,” about a troubled 10-year-old boy who is abandoned by his father and taken in by a kind hairdresser, on Oct. 29 and 30.
Two British films will also be screened this fall. “Salmon Fishing in the Yemen,” to be shown Sept. 3 and 4, is a whimsical romantic comedy starring Ewan McGregor as Britain’s leading fishing expert, who is approached by a Yemeni sheik to help his dream of bringing his favorite sport of fly-fishing to the desert. Ralph Fiennes stars in and directs “Coriolanus,” an acclaimed film version of one of Shakespeare’s lesser-known tragedies, playing Nov. 19 and 20.
Documentaries include “Pina in 3-D,” director Wim Wenders’ homage to Germany’s greatest modern choreographer, the late Pina Bausch, to be screened Sept. 10 and 11, and “Bully,” about the far-reaching effects of the most common form of violence against America’s young people, on Sept. 17 and 18.
Rounding out the series will be several American independent films, including Wes Anderson’s offbeat comic romance/drama “Moonrise Kingdom” on Nov. 5 and 6, followed by the Sundance Film Festival darling “Beasts of the Southern Wild” on Nov. 12 and 13. Special Halloween showings of the cult classic “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” are scheduled for Oct. 22 and 23.
The Arts Array film series is part of the comprehensive cultural outreach program of Virginia Highlands Community College. The series is co-sponsored by Abingdon Cinemall, the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center, Emory & Henry College, Virginia Intermont College and King College.
All screenings are held at the Abingdon Cinemall in Abingdon, Va.
Admission is free for students and faculty members from the supporting institutions. Members of the general community may attend for $7.50.
For a brochure on the series or more information, call Jennings at (276) 739-2447 or email him at bjennings@vhcc.edu.
Arts Array schedule
Aug. 27, 28 — “Albert Nobbs”
Sept. 3, 4 — “Salmon Fishing in the Yemen”
Sept. 10, 11 — “Pina (in 3-D)”
Sept, 17, 18 — “Bully”
Sept. 24, 25 — “A Separation”
Oct. 1, 2 — “The Skin I Live In”
Oct. 8, 9 — “In Darkness”
Oct. 15, 16 — “The Flowers of War”
Oct. 22, 23 — “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”
Oct. 29, 30 — “The Kid with a Bike”
Nov. 5, 6 — “Moonrise Kingdom”
Nov. 12, 13 — “Beasts of the Southern Wild”
Nov. 19, 20 — “Coriolanus”
All films screen at 4 and 7:30 p.m. at the Abingdon Cinemall. Admission is $7.50 for the general public.
| Kingsport Christmas Tree Lighting | |
| Held on Saturday, December 4, 2010. The Sevier Middle School orchestra played in the progress building at 6:00. The gingerbread house exhibit was held at the Regions bank. Music, reading of the Christmas Story, hot chocolate, hot apple cider and cookies, sing-a-long where held at Church Circle. |