Bozeman Film Society will present the Oscar winner for Best Foreign Film, the Hungarian Son of Saul on Wednesday, March 23rd beginning at 7:30pm. October 1944, Auschwitz-Birkenau: Saul Ausländer is a Hungarian member of the Sonderkommando, the group of Jewish prisoners isolated from the camp and forced to assist the Nazis in the machinery of large-scale extermination. While working in one of the crematoriums, Saul discovers the body of a boy he takes for his son. As the Sonderkommando plans a rebellion, Saul decides to carry out an impossible task: save the child’s body from the flames, find a rabbi to recite the mourner’s Kaddish, and offer the boy a proper burial.
Sweeping the Cannes Grand Prix, Golden Globe, and Academy Award for Best Foreign Film, Philadelphia Inquirer film critic, Steven Rea, calls Son of Saul “A crushing view of humanity at its most desperate, and a view of one man’s fevered efforts to find grace and dignity amid the horror.” Directed by László Nemes and starring Géza Röhrig, Levente Molnár, Urs Rechn, Todd Charmont, Sándor Zsótér, Marcin Czarnik, Amitai Kedar, Son of Saul is rated R for disturbing violent content and some graphic nudity and runs 105 minutes. The evening will open with a introduction by Rabbi Ed Stafman of Congregation Beth Shalom. On Wednesday, March 30th at 7pm (please note earlier start time), BFS is proud to present Druid Peak, the first in the inaugural three-part “Science on Screen” film series, a national program sponsored by the Coolidge Corner Theater and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Set against the backdrop of the wolf reintroduction program in Yellowstone National Park, Druid Peak is a redemptive coming of age story about a troubled teenaged boy (Spencer Treat Clark) whose mom, unable to control him, ships him off to the wilds of Wyoming, where his estranged father (Andrew Wilson) works as a Yellowstone biologist. Shot on location in Wyoming, Montana, Utah, and West Virginia, we see that the role of wilderness in the human experience is as necessary as food, shelter, or love. If your children are teens, or about to be teens, bring them along! The LA Times calls the film, “Enlightening… undeniably gorgeous.” Rated PG-13 the film runs 115 minutes. Now in its 9th year, Science on Screen provides national funding to expand film and scientific literacy by creatively pairing screenings of popular culture and documentary films with lively expert presentations. Each film offers a jumping-off point for a speaker to introduce current research or technological advances that engage audiences. Druid Peak will be introduced by ‘Wolves & Teens: “Un-packing” Social Creatures,’ a presentation by Doug Smith, lead biologist on the Yellowstone Wolf Project and Katey Franklin, Director of MSU’s Human Development Clinic and Addictions Counseling Program. A panel Q&A with the film’s Director, Marni Zelnick, and Executive Producer, Maureen Mayer will follow. The screening is a collaboration with the Montana Outdoor Science School and the Montana Environmental Educators. Tickets are $8.75/General; $8.50/Seniors & Students (plus fees) and may be purchased by calling the Ellen box office at 585-5885, online at theellentheatre.com or by visiting the Ellen’s box office Wednesday-Saturday between 1 & 3 pm, or two hours before the screening. Doors open one hour before the screening with wine/beer and concessions available in the lobby. BFS pass holders and sponsors can reserve seats by visiting or calling the Ellen Theatre box office at 585-5885. Bozeman Film Society Member Passes are available in the Ellen Theatre lobby before all BFS shows, online at bozemanfilmsociety.org or by calling 406-585-5885.
Visit their website for detailed information on levels and benefits of a Bronze, Silver or Gold level Membership–and as always, “Keep ‘Em Flickering!” •
