Stijn Coninx, Cabourg 2014 by Georges Biard
Traci Baker
Members of the Cinema Society of PebbleCreek have been giving rave reviews to the monthly movies in this inaugural season of the Cinema Society. Since the preview film in October, more and more PebbleCreek residents have discovered and fallen in love with the special, memorable and in many cases award winning movies and with Cinema Society Director Andy Friedenberg.
Last month, the February feature was a moving and memorable film called Marina, the true story of Rocco Granata, an Italian coal miner’s son who followed his passion for music against his father’s wishes and social barriers. Directed by Stijn Coninx, a Belgian born award winning film making master, Marina was met with rave reviews by PebbleCreek members. Adding to the experience, the 150 plus members were treated to a very special surprise when Mr. Coninx himself appeared to introduce the film and then answer audience questions after, having just flown in from Belgium to greet Cinema Society members. It was an opportunity rarely found and members were delighted. “What a moving picture. It touched me personally; my husband’s family were coal miners and it was just such an emotional and touching film,” said Shirley Williams who also remarked, “To then have the director there, it was just so special.” Special indeed. Stijn, Baron Coninx was born in Belgium in 1957 and is one of the world’s most important filmmakers. Nominated for an Academy Award for Daens in 1992, this master talent was made a Baron by King Albert II of Belgium. He just concluded his tenure as President of the Belgium Directors Guild.
The Cinema Society of PebbleCreek will screen two more films this season. March 12 features the award winning Short Film Program. “Shorts are wonderful, because if you hate a short, relax, it’s short. But if you love a short, you remember it forever,” said Friedenberg. The Cinema Society will be showing a collection of shorts that will hopefully stay with viewers for a very long time. The season finale on April 9 features the stunning film, Great Voices Sing John Denver. Fifteen great voices, one great inspiration—. Legendary music producer Milton Okun along with arranger and conductor Lee Holdridge, bring some of the most famous names in opera to sing John Denver’s famous hit songs on screen. “Kenneth Shapiro’s film goes behind the scenes to discover why each artist chose the song that they sing and what John Denver’s music did to each artist. He even captures the essence of their actual recording sessions,” shared Friedenberg. And members just may get the VIP thrill of the season as some very special guests might pay PebbleCreek a visit—don’t miss this one, folks!
The Cinema Society of PebbleCreek is your ticket to discovering carefully selected motion pictures offered by the top major and independent studios, sometimes before they are released to the public. In a first ever collaboration between LifeLong Learning and the Activities Office, phenomenal films are brought to members and their guests right here to the Renaissance Theatre. If you are not already a member, prorated memberships are available for purchase at the Activities Office. If purchased before March 12, the prorated fee is $35 and $20 after. Membership information for next season will be announced later this year. Call the Activities Office at 623-535-9854 with any questions.