All residents are invited to view critically acclaimed and diverse independent movies in a cozy setting at the BoomerVenture Screening Room Thursday night film festival. The films are shown on the bottom floor of the School Administration Building, behind Town Offices.
The screening room has “comfy chairs, a warm fireplace, holiday decorations, and good company,” said organizer Lois Karfunkel. All films are free.
On Dec. 13 the movie A Better Life will be shown. With the positive Amazon viewer rating of 4.8 out of 5, this touching, multi-generational story is about an L.A. “illegal immigrant and hardworking single dad [who] embarks on a physical and spiritual journey in order to reconnect with his teenage son and keep him from getting pulled into the local gang life,” according to a release. Karfunkel said that a review that caught her eye stated that “Utterly devoid of political posturing and moralizing, the film deals instead with the universal human yearning for security, stability, and at least some degree of happiness in one’s life.”
The popular English language movie, Peace Love & Misunderstanding will follow on Dec. 20. Featuring Jane Fonda among other well known actors, this movie tells the story of a conservative daughter who brings her family to Woodstock, N.Y. to live with her “hippy” mom after an unexpected divorce, and how each generation learns, albeit reluctantly, from the other.
December’s screenings will end on Dec. 27 with the critically acclaimed popular Christmas-time movie, La Buche, described as a smart comedy about a dysfunctional family thrown together at Christmastime.
Karfunkel quotes a reviewer on amazon.com who called the film “an absolutely delightful French movie about the pressures associated with the holiday season, with thought-provoking characters. Much of it will make you laugh, but [it also addresses] questions of identity, what makes us happy in life, and who are family and what are they for.”
In the new year, movies for January will include Queen of Versailles, Ruby Sparks, Le Havre, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, and In a Better World.
All residents are invited to attend these screenings, and there is no charge. The movies are shown at the Andover Senior Center, 30 Whittier Court (behind Town Offices) and start at 7 p.m. with a brief “chat” beforehand. A selection of snacks is available.
