The next film of the Williams Lake Film Club, The Believer, will be shown this coming Monday, Nov. 14, at 7 p.m. at the Gibraltar Room, Cariboo Memorial Complex.
Back doors open at 6:30 p.m. Admission at the door is $10 adult regular, $8 for Film Club members (membership is $10 for the year) and $6 for seniors (65+) and students, High School and TRU. Some technical details for the film are: director/writer: Henry Bean, Stars: Ryan Gosling , Summer Phoenix, Peter Meadows and many others, Country: USA, Language: English/Hebrew, filmed in New York City, drama, rated R, 98 min.
The Believer was the winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival in 2002. Around this time of year we always try to show a film dealing in some way with subjects related to Remembrance Day.
The Believer deals with racism and is based upon a real life story. It is a gripping and daring portrayal of a young Jewish man living an impossible contradiction as a neo-Nazi skinhead, telling the story of Danny Balint and his struggle between destroying his own people and being drawn back to Judaism.
Danny has been a jeshiva student with a thorough knowledge of the Torah. Now he is a morally confused young adult struggling with the conflict between his beliefs and his heritage. This is a film examining themes of religion, family, and self-loathing. It is a psychological examination into the forces of intolerance, both on the individual and society as a whole.
Danny Balint is played by Ryan Gosling, a Canadian actor then 19 years old. This was his first starring role after having been known for many years as a Mouseketeer. He is amazing in this role, so intense and believable that it will take your breath away. The director/writer of the film, Henry Bean, is a Jew himself.
He said that he became more religious because of his film, but after the ensuing extensive controversy over his film this remained the only one he ever made.
We have discussed racism quite a bit this last year. I urge you all to see this film. This might just be the most thought provoking film you will see on this subject.
All of the proceeds of the Williams Lake Film Club are used to support the LDA, Williams Lake Chapter, for one-on-one tutoring for students with learning problems. The office is located at the Child Development Centre. For more information on the work of the LDA please call Krista Liebe at 250-398-9149.
The Believer is the only film shown on a Monday this season as the Gibraltar Room was not available Friday, Nov. 11. All other Williams Lake Film Club films are shown on a Friday.