The first film in the fall film series of the Knickerbocker Theatre at Hope College has changed to "Princess Mononoke," which will open on Friday, Nov. 3.
The previously announced opening film, "Spike and
Mike's classic Animation Festival 2000," is unavailable due
to scheduling difficulties.
"Princess Mononoke" will show at 7 p.m. and 9:20
p.m. on Friday, Nov. 3, and Monday-Thursday, Nov. 6-9.
Rated PG-13 and in English, the animated film is set in a
mythical 14th century Japan, and centers on the conflict
between development and the preservation of nature.
Released in Japan in 1997, the film was released
in English in the U.S. in 1999 featuring the voices of
Gillian Anderson, Claire Danes, Minnie Driver and Billy Bob
Thorton, among others. Roger Ebert of the Chicago "Sun-
Times" praised "Princess Mononoke" as "one of the year's
best films," and the film is the second-highest grossing
film of all time in Japan (behind only "Titanic").
The remainder of the Knickerbocker's fall film
series will continue as previously announced. The other
three films in the series are "Shower" (Friday-Thursday,
Nov. 10-16), "Set Me Free" (Friday-Thursday, Nov. 24-30) and
"The Color of Paradise" (Friday-Friday, Dec. 1-8).
"Shower," "Set Me Free" and "The Color of Paradise
will each show at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. The Knickerbocker is
closed on Sundays.
"Shower" centers around the conflict between
traditional ways and the modern world. The film focuses on
a wealthy young man who despite himself begins to value the
traditions represented in his family's business, a public
bathhouse. He ultimately tries to prevent the progress of
the modern world from destroying it. "Shower" is in Chinese
with English subtitles, and is rated PG-13.
"Set Me Free" examines the potential of film to
shape life. An unhappy teen in a house filled with
conflict, the central character adopts the "I am
responsible" credo of the heroine from Jean-Luc Godard's "My
Life to Live" and sets her life direction accordingly. The
film is in French with English subtitles, and is rated PG-
13.
"The Color of Paradise" centers around a blind
eight-year-old boy who appreciates the world that he
experiences through his heightened other senses. Seeking to
remarry, his widower father resents him as an obstacle to
his wedding plans and apprentices him far from home.
Ultimately, though, the father must face his responsibility
to his son. "The Color of Paradise" is in Persian/Farsi
with English subtitles, and is rated PG.
The Knickerbocker Theatre is located at 86 E. 8th
St. in downtown Holland. Tickets cost $5 for regular adult
admission, and $4 for senior citizens and students.
Additional information about the series may be
obtained by calling the Knickerbocker Theatre's information
line at (616) 395-7403.