Films focusing on geographical and emotional journeys form the core of the winter film series for teens sponsored by the Arts Council of Princeton and the Princeton Public Library. “Anywhere But Here: Journeys on Film” presents five general release films on Friday evenings, January 23 through March 19. Teens from West Windsor and Plainsboro are encouraged to attend. The series is free for teens in grades eight to twelve.
Susan Conlon, a West Windsor resident and the teen services librarian at Princeton Public Library, says the series, in which films are followed by discussions led by teen facilitators, is not unlike a book club. “It gives the kids a chance to do critical analysis and exchange ideas. It also presents a good teen leadership opportunity, which is part of our program philosophy.” Conlon and her husband, Joe, who works for New Jersey Network, have three teenagers in the West Windsor schools.
The series begins Friday, January 23, with a recent film from Germany that depicts three different journeys and explores the outcome of each scenario. A contemporary film featuring a poor rural area of China is slated for the February 6 program.
On February 20, the only American film — a Hitchcock thriller — will be shown. According to the Arts Council, which cannot divulge the name of the film due to licensing restrictions, this “classic by the master of suspense is about a Madison Avenue advertising executive who is mistaken for a government agent and is pursued by a gang of spies in a 3,”000-mile chase across the country.”
March 5 brings a film from Brazil that was never screened in the Princeton area. It received positive reviews in 2003 and is about two boys growing up in a violent neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro. The last film, an Australian movie based on the true story of three aboriginal girls who escaped from an official internment camp, is scheduled for March 19.
Each screening begins at 7 p.m., and refreshments will be served. The events will be held in the Arts Council Loft Studio, 102 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. Call 609-924-8777 for information.
Anywhere But Here: Journeys on Film, Arts Council of Princeton, 102 Witherspoon Street, 609-924-8777. January 23 through March 19. Free for students in grades 8 to 12. 7 p.m.
