Lifelong Learning At Mentor Public Library: film festival

Showing posts with label film festival. Show all posts

Sunday, September 20, 2015

Jane Austen on the Big Screen: The Austen in Autumn Film Festival

During the Austen in Autumn film festival, you can see some of the best movies based on Jane Austen's novels for free.

A good story is malleable. It doesn't necessarily matter if it's told in a book or a movie or by the campfire with the accompaniment of a jangly guitar.

And Jane Austen wrote some of the best stories ever, so it's not surprising that her six novels have repeatedly been turned into movies, miniseries and even YouTube series.

As part of Austen in Autumn—our month-long celebration of all things Jane—we've picked four of the best Austen-influenced films of all time and are screening them for free at Great Lakes Mall Atlas Cinemas.

The series begins this Thursday and the films include:

Each of the screenings will begin at 7 p.m. on their respective Thursday and are open to everyone. And, yes, they are free thanks to a grant from the Mentor Arts Commission.

The film series is just one part of Austen in Autumn. For more information on our programs—which include everything from a citywide book chat about Austen's Persuasion to a special encore of Geauga Lyric Theater's Pride & Prejudice performance—visit www.mentorpl.org/austen.

Finally, Mentor Public Library would like to thank the generous financial support of The Friends of the Mentor Public Library, Mentor Community Arts Commission, Ohio Arts Council and Ohio Humanities Council for making Austen in Autumn possible, as well as the following organizations for providing time and resources to make Austen in Autumn the best it can be: Atlas Cinema; the City of Mentor; Cleveland Candle Company; Geauga County Ohio Bee Keepers; Geauga Lyric Theater Guild; Jakprints; Little Mountain Brewing Company; Local Tavern; Redhawk Grill; Sisters Tea Room; and Ten 10 Design.

Monday, August 31, 2015

Jane Still Reigns during Austen in Autumn at Mentor Library

Her novels still influence movies, television, books and, most importantly, people’s lives; so—nearly 200 years after she wrote her last story—Mentor Public Library is welcoming everyone to meet Jane Austen this autumn.

The library is hosting a series of programs dedicated to Austen this September and October. Called Austen in Autumn, the event is designed to appeal to both dedicated Janeites and those who may not yet be familiar with the writer’s work and influence.

“What makes Austen different than almost any other writer is her continued impact,” said Amanda Densmore, the manager of MPL’s Reference Department. “Most people recognize Austen’s influence in Ang Lee’s Sense & Sensibility or BBC’s Pride & Prejudice or even that the movie Clueless is a remake of her novel, Emma. But when you read a Bridget Jones book or watch Friends, Austen’s influence is there too. If Austen didn’t invent the romantic-comedy genre, she’s still one of its greatest practitioners.”

Pick up a copy of Jane Austen's Persuasion of any of Mentor Library's branches.

During Austen in Autumn, the library will give away free copies of Austen’s posthumously published masterpiece Persuasion at all of its branches, as well as other locations throughout the city. These books need not be returned and are yours to keep forever.

Adults can also pick up a copy of Persuasion during MPL’s Austen in Autumn Kickoff Party on Thursday evening, Sept. 17, at Little Mountain Brewing Company. Little Mountain is even releasing a special beer for the event, Austentatious IPA.

The library will also host a series of book talks about Persuasion at its branches, as well as at Wildwood Cultural Center, Local Tavern and Redhawk Grill.

Additionally, Mentor Library has teamed with the Great Lakes Mall Atlas Cinemas in Mentor for free screenings of four films that all used Austen’s work as inspiration. Each of the screenings will begin at 7 p.m. on their respective Thursday and are open to everyone.

The films include Persuasion on Sept. 24, Clueless on Oct. 1, Sense and Sensibility on Oct. 8 and Bride and Prejudice on Oct. 15. The screenings are free because of a grant from the Mentor Arts Commission.

The Jane Austen film series will also provide an opportunity for local filmmakers to demonstrate their craft. The library is holding a short-film contest along with Austen in Autumn. Anyone can submit a short film (no longer than five minutes) that has been influenced by Austen’s work. The winners of the contest will receive fun Austen-themed prizes, but all contestants can see their work on the big screen during the free screenings.

Meanwhile, Mentor Library will host several programs that illumine both Austen and the times in which she lived. Debra Jane Miller will perform as Austen on Saturday, Sept. 19, at the library. She'll talk about Austen's life and work as the writer herself saw it.

Elizabeth and Jane Bennet (Katie Malish and Isabella Mastrey) spend some quiet time in Pride and Prejudice at Geauga Lyric Theater.

The Geauga Lyric Theater will have a special reprise of its rendition of Pride & Prejudice as part of Austen in Autumn. They will perform vignettes from the play in the library's Main Branch on Tuesday, Oct. 13.

There will be classes on silhouette art, candle making, and world history during Austen’s life; we're even hosting a special tea on Tuesday, Sept. 29—all of which will be free and open to the public.

That includes a Pride and Prejudice and Zombies party for teens on Oct. 12. Teens can practice their skulking and celebrate Halloween a little early when they party like the undead.

For more information on Austen in Autumn, visit www.mentorpl.org/austen.

Zombies are invading Mentor Library as part of Austen in Autumn.

Finally, Mentor Public Library would like to thank the generous financial support of The Friends of the Mentor Public Library, Mentor Community Arts Commission, Ohio Arts Council and Ohio Humanities Council for making Austen in Autumn possible, as well as the following organizations for providing time and resources to make Austen in Autumn the best it can be: Atlas Cinema; the City of Mentor; Cleveland Candle Company; Geauga County Ohio Bee Keepers; Geauga Lyric Theater Guild; Jakprints; Little Mountain Brewing Company; Local Tavern; Redhawk Grill; Sisters Tea Room; and Ten 10 Design.

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Local filmmakers can compete in Austen-influenced film contest

It may be nearly 200 years since Jane Austen wrote anything, but her stories still resonate today.

That's why we're celebrating Austen in Autumn this September and October at Mentor Public Library.

That’s also why you can transport Emma to Beverly Hills like in Clueless or Elizabeth Bennet to Bollywood for Bride & Prejudice or to modern times with the Lizzie Bennet Diaries and it still works.

That’s why we’re challenging local artists to see what they can make of Austen. Use her characters, her stories, whatever you want from her, and use them to make something of your own and do it in a medium that Austen never knew—video.

Teens and adults can work individually or as a group to make short video (no longer than five minutes.) Videos will be judged on creativity, execution and how they incorporate Austen. The best films will win prizes.

All participants will be eligible to see their short film on the big screen during the Austen in Autumn Film Festival on Thursdays, from Sept. 24 to Oct. 15 at Great Lakes Mall Atlas Cinemas.

Starting on Sept. 24, Mentor Library will screen four films that all used Austen’s work as inspiration at Great Lakes Mall Atlas Cinemas. Each of the screenings will begin at 7 p.m. on their respective Thursday and are open to everyone.

The films include Persuasion on Sept. 24, Clueless on Oct. 1, Sense and Sensibility on Oct. 8 and Bride and Prejudice on Oct. 15. The screenings are free because of a grant from the Mentor Arts Commission.

The deadline for entries in the short-film contest is Sept. 16.

For more information, call the Mentor Public Library at (440) 255-8811 ext. 213.

Thursday, July 3, 2014

Know Poe Film Festival Begins Tonight

Want to see a movie but don't feel like spending money?

Watch a classic on us.

Our Know Poe Film Festival begins with a free screening of The Pit and the Pendulum at 7 p.m. today at the Atlas Cinemas at Great Lakes Mall.

That's right. As part of our month-long celebration of Edgar Allan Poe, you can see this classic film (starring Vincent Price and directed by Roger Corman) on the big screen in the comfort of an air-conditioned theater.

You don't even have to register. Just show up. Bring the whole family if you want. (However, you should know that this movie has a couple moments that might scare the kids. We are talking about Price and Poe, after all.)

And that's just the beginning. For the next four weeks, we'll be offering free screenings of classic Vincent Price films that were inspired by Poe.

The showing times are:

You'll also be able to see scary short films that were created as part of our Know Poe Video Contest. You'll be impressed (and terrified) by what the filmmakers in our community made.

So that's the deal: A classic horror movie on the big screen, short films by local filmmakers and all for free.

So how are you spending your Thursday night?

Visit Mentor Library's website for more information on the month-long Know Poe celebration. There are programs for kids, teens and adults and they're all free.

Sunday, June 29, 2014

Get to Know Poe this July at Mentor Library

Mentor Public Library is dedicating the month of July to the inventor of the horror genre and detective novel, to an author who mastered both verse and prose, one of the most important writers ever—Edgar Allan Poe.

There will be a film festival, art clinic, writing workshop, a performance by a professional Poe impersonator, a scary video contest and book discussions hosted throughout the city. All of which will commemorate and celebrate Poe!

One Book, One City

Mentor Library has compiled some of Edgar Allan Poe’s most famous poems and short stories, including “The Raven,” “The Tell-Tale Heart” and more, into books that are available throughout Mentor and Mentor-on-the-Lake. You can pick up copies at any Mentor Public Library branch and Little Free Libraries, as well as Melt, Yours Truly and other locations around the city of Mentor.

Take a book. It’s free! You can then join us at any of these locations for a discussion on Poe and his work. If you’ve always been interested in joining a book club or just love reading, this is a great place to begin.

Let’s get all of Mentor reading! Discussions will be at:

Poe Buttons—Collect all 7!

Attend our Poe events and receive a free Poe Button—there’s a different style for each program—collect all 7! While supplies last.

Know Poe Video Contest

From “The Cask of Amontillado” to “The Masque of the Red Death,” nobody told a scary story like Edgar Allan Poe.

Teens and adults can take tools they learned from the master and apply them to a medium that Poe never knew—video.

They can work individually or as a group to make short, scary video (no longer than five minutes.) Videos will be judged on creativity, scariness, execution and Poe-tency.

Some participants will be able to see their video on the big screen at the Great Lakes Mall Atlas Cinemas during the Know Poe Film Festival.

The deadline for entries is July 1.

For more information, call the library at (440) 255-8811 ext. 213.

Know Poe Film Festival at Atlas Cinemas

Edgar Allan Poe may have not lived to see his work on the biggest of screens, but he had an enormous influence on director Roger Corman and actor Vincent Price.

Library patrons can come see four of their classics, as well as Know Poe video contest entries, at the Great Lakes Mall Atlas Cinemas. (Some images and sequences may not be appropriate for all ages.)

The film festival is underwritten by the Mentor Community Arts Commission.

The showing times are:

Gothic Ink: Poe Inspired Art

Monday, July 7, 6:30 p.m. at Mentor Public Library Main Branch

Want to learn how to draw with ink? Artist Del Borovic will teach teens and adults how to create inspired ink drawings inspired by Poe.

The Gothic Ink program is underwritten by the Mentor Community Arts Commission

Poe’s Mystery on the Lake

Friday, July 11, 2 p.m. at Mentor-on-the-Lake Branch

Celebrate Poe, the inventor of the detective mystery genre and an avid cryptography enthusiast. Become a detective and solve a mystery! Kids will create detective badges and learn how to crack three different types of secret codes. Put your sleuthing skills to the test to solve a mystery and earn a prize. Appropriate for ages 5 to 10. Registration is required.

Whodunnit? Poe Style

Wednesday, July 16, 7 p.m. at Mentor Public Library Main Branch

Families can play a life-sized game of Clue featuring the characters, settings and demises from the tales of Edgar Allan Poe. Bring your detective skills.

Poe Obstacle Course

Thursday, July 17, 2 p.m. at Mentor Public Library Read House

Children from kindergarten through sixth grade can race through a series of 10 obstacles all based on the books of Edgar Allan Poe. Kids will also make a creepy craft.

Poe’s Prose

Saturday, July 19, 11 a.m. at Mentor Public Library Main Branch

Writer and teacher Jacklyn Czekaj will host a writing workshop for teens. Learn the macabre styling of America’s favorite Gothic writer. Writers of all skill levels welcome.

An Evening with Edgar Allan Poe

Monday, July 28, 6:30 p.m. at Mentor Public Library Read House

Join Jim Knight as he interprets some of the famous stories and poems from legendary writer and master of the macabre. Hear such famous Poe masterpieces as “The Tell Tale Heart,” “The Raven” and more come to life in Mr. Knight’s rendering. Also, audience members will hear a brief background on the life of Poe, his times and how his writing influenced his contemporaries. Enjoy a fun and creepy evening illustrating why Edgar Allan Poe is still as relevant (and frightening) today as he was in his own time.