The Hope College Knickerbocker Theatre will continue its tradition of bringing independent and international films to the West Michigan Community with its Fall Film Series opening on Monday, Sept. 16.
The series will show “The Farewell” on Sept. 16-21, “Toni Morrison, The Pieces I Am” on Sept. 30-Oct. 5, “Photograph” on Oct. 7-12 and “Yuli” on Nov. 11-16. All films begin at 7:30 p.m.
“The Farewell,” showing Monday-Saturday, Sept. 16-21, is a comedy-drama that follows
a family in China. When the members of the family discover that their beloved grandmother
has only a few months to live due to terminal lung cancer, they decide to keep her
in the dark and arrange an impromptu wedding to gather before she passes. Billi, born
in China and raised in America and who is especially close to her grandmother, feels
out of place in her home country and struggles with the family’s decision to hide
the truth from her grandmother. The New York Post has described “The Farewell” as
“one of the year’s sweetest films.” The film is rated PG, and is English and Mandarin
with English subtitles.
The series will continue with the documentary “Toni Morrison, the Pieces I Am” on
Monday-Saturday, Sept. 30-Oct. 5. The film examines the life of writer Toni Morrison,
her works and the powerful themes she confronted throughout her literary career. Morrison,
who died in early August, is the only African-American to win the Nobel Prize in Literature.
She was awarded many literary prizes, including the Pulitzer Prize, and was also awarded
the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The Atlantic Monthly has said that the film, which
was released just prior to Morrison’s death, “captures the larger-than-life author
in exceedingly human terms.” The Los Angeles Times has called it “moving and profound.”
The film is rated PG-13.
“Photograph” will be showing Monday-Saturday, Oct. 7-12. The comedy-drama film takes
place in Mumbai and tells the story of a struggling street photographer who, pressured
by his grandmother to get married, convinces a shy stranger to pose as his fiancée.
The two eventually build a connection that transforms them in ways they could not
expect. The Washington Post has called the actors’ performances “lovely.” The film
is rated PG-13 and is English, Hindi and Gujarati with English subtitles.
Ending the series will be “Yuli,” showing Monday-Saturday, Nov. 11-16. Based on a
true story, the film follows Cuban dancer Carlos Acosta, nicknamed Yuli by his father.
Although Carlos initially does not want to dance, his father believes that ballet
will bring his son discipline and enrolls Carlos into a dance class. As time goes
on, Carlos eventually works his way to the country’s National Dance School and performs
at London’s Royal Ballet. He becomes a phenomenon in the dance world as well as the
first black dancer to perform some of the most famous ballet roles. The film is based
on Acosta’s memoir “No Way Home,” and features Acosta dancing. Dance Magazine has
said, “Impressive dance sequences aside, the film has a rock-solid emotional core.”
The film is not rated, and is Spanish with English subtitles.
Tickets for the individual films are $7 for regular admission and $6 for senior citizens, Hope College faculty and children, and will be sold at the door.
The Knickerbocker Theatre is located in downtown Holland at 86 E. Eighth St., between College and Columbia avenues.