Events Calendar

The Petoskey Film Theater will be showing the film "The Last Station" on Friday, March 25, 7:30 pm at the Petoskey District Library, Carnegie Building (old library). Donations are appreciated. "The Last Station" was nominated for 2 Academy Awards and 2 Golden Globe Awards.

Helen Mirren, Christopher Plummer, Paul Giamatti and James McAvoy lead an impeccable cast in "The Last Station," a sweet comedy-drama about the final days of the Russian novelist Tolstoy. Nineteenth-century paparazzi lurk outside of Tolstoy's estate, hoping to snatch a picture of the rumored strife between the world-famous writer (Plummer), who's launched an antimaterialist movement, and his aristocratic wife, Sofya (Mirren). Also lurking is Tolstoy's aide, Chertkov (Paul Giamatti), who despises Sofya and pushes to change Tolstoy's will to prevent Sofya from inheriting the royalties from Tolstoy's books. Into this nest of conflict comes a young secretary, Valentin (McAvoy), who idolizes Tolstoy and strives to live by the principles of abstinence and vegatarianism...only to find his purity tested by sensual temptations (including a headstrong young woman played by Kerry Condon) and an unexpected sympathy for Sofya. Moments of sly comedy keep "The Last Station" from becoming overly literary. Every scene is a polished jewel, expertly and passionately crafted by the actors and writer-director Michael Hoffman (A Midsummer Night's Dream), rich with feeling and social detail. Mirren, of course, is superb, with a wonderful potrayal of a woman who can't help turning her genuine passions into a performance that repels her husband.

For more information on upcoming films call the PFT Movie Hotline at (231) 758-3108. To receive weekly email updates send an email to petoskey.film.theater2@gmail.com.

Programs are held on Fridays at noon in the Library Conference Room. Reservations are preferred. Call (231) 348-6600 or email cmacinnis@ncmich.edu to reserve your place at the table. Cost is $9 and includes lunch.

Out of Laos - When the  American military evacuated Saigon in 1975, many people were left behind, including thousands of Laotians who had aided the Central Intelligence Agency during the "secret war" across the border from Vietnam. Because of his father's ties with the US as a member of the Royal Lao Army, Thongsai Vangyi and his family were able to escape on several of the last American military fights out. He tells a story of life, chaos, and sacrifice in the midst of a war that few people will ever understand.