Movies beyond blockbusters brought to you by Kindersley Screen Arts

By Joan Janzen

Just like clock work, on the fourth Saturday afternoon of each month from September to May (except for December), Kindersley and area residents are invited to watch an entertaining movie at Sunset Theatre. This is possible thanks to Kindersley Screen Arts and the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).

Kindersley Screen Arts consists of six members who have been bringing Canadian and international films to our community since 2016. The members are Judy Lavoie, Dawn Climenhaga, Diane Shillington, Karen Barrows, Linda Pincemin and Colleen Quinney.

Judy Lavoie said “I started the group because we thought there was a market for different movies besides blockbusters. We associated with TIFF and joined their film circuit. We are one of only three towns in Saskatchewan associated with TIFF.”

Normally the movies are chosen at the beginning of the season from a list that is sent to the group from TIFF. “This year we are directly contacting distributors to acquire the movies, because TIFF isn’t doing the film circuit. We have Dr. Nicky Knight as a sponsor,” Judy said they couldn’t make this happen without a sponsor.

Last month’s movie was the first story about an individual from Saskatchewan. The show was called “Percy”, a true story about a Saskatchewan farmer who takes on a giant corporation in the late 1990s, after their GMOs interfere with his crops. Percy Schmeiser, was a successful canola farmer from Bruno, Sask. who was targeted with a copyright and patent infringement lawsuit by Monsanto. It was thoroughly enjoyed by those in attendance.

The movie that will be showing the fourth Saturday in November will be equally as entertaining. “Made in Italy” is about a father and son who finally begin grieving the loss of their wife/mother who died in a car accident years ago. Together they fix up a Tuscan villa in Italy that’s been in the family for generations that has been vacant for years. They find the house in far worse condition than they had expected, but the small town nearby is so inviting and friendly, that the pair is tempted to not sell the house, but enjoy it for themselves.

What makes the movie even more interesting for the viewers is the choice of actors. Liam Neeson and his son Micheal Richardson play the parts of father and son in the movie. In real life, the actors suffered a similar tragedy when Neeson’s wife and Richardson’s mother died in a skiing accident in 2009.

It’s obvious that Kindersley Screen Arts is continuing to provide quality entertainment for people in our community.