The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul and the Capri Theater present Denzel Washington’s Oscar-winning adaptation of August Wilson’s Fences, followed by a discussion led by Lou Bellamy.
The screening begins at 7 p.m. Thursday, September 7 at the Capri Theater, 2027 West Broadway. Tickets to First Thursday Films are $5; purchase in advance at mspfilm.org or at the door the night of the show.
Playwright August Wilson’s masterpiece Fences, about a working-class African American father’s struggle to raise his family in 1950s Pittsburgh, finally made it to the screen after numerous attempts over many years. Directed by and starring Denzel Washington (Malcolm X) alongside Viola Davis (How to Get Away with Murder) in her Academy-Award winning role, Fences examines former Negro-league baseball player Troy Maxson (Washington) as he fights to provide for those he loves in a world that threatens to push him down. This directorial triumph pulses with the universal truths of love and forgiveness, regardless of what lies beyond your own fence.
Each First Thursday Films screening at the Capri is followed by a passionate discussion of the movie. Fences could have no greater moderator than Lou Bellamy, Founder and Artistic Director, Emeritus of Penumbra Theatre. During his 40-year tenure, Bellamy helped Penumbra evolve into one of America’s premier theaters dedicated to dramatic exploration of the African American experience. Under his leadership, Penumbra has grown to be the largest theater of its kind in America and has produced 40 world premieres, including August Wilson’s first professional production. Penumbra is proud to have produced more of Wilson’s plays than any theater in the world. Bellamy is an OBIE Award-winning director, an accomplished actor, and for 38 years was appointed as an Associate Professor at the University of Minnesota in the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance.
Be @ the Capri for Fences, and stay for the conversation. More info: thecapritheater.org or mspfilm.org.