The Great Escaper
Monday October 7, 2:00 p.m only
In the summer of 2014 - the 70th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings - octogenarian Bernie Jordan made global headlines. He’d staged a “great escape” from his care home to join fellow war veterans on a beach in Normandy, commemorating their fallen comrades.
It was a story that captured the imagination of the world - Bernie seemed to embody the defiant, “can-do” spirit of a generation that was fast disappearing.
But of course, it wasn’t the whole story. It was the story we all tell ourselves to make war and old age bearable. The bitter-sweet script explores the reality with wit and a very big heart.
Bernie’s adventure, spanning a mere 48 hours, also marked the culmination of his 60-year marriage to Rene – the story celebrates their love without sentimentality and with an eye to the lessons we can all learn from the Greatest Generation.
96 min
Season Sponsor: Rastin's Pharmacy
Proceeds to the DeMazenod Door Outreach
BUY TICKETS HERE: https://www.memorialarts.ca/films/the-great-escaper
Awards
Barcelona San Jorde International Film Festival: won Best Actor (Michael Caine)
Reviews
This is a rather modest and simple drama, but it is one of the most important films of the year: it offers the last opportunity to see two legends of cinema together on the screen. Ernesto Diezmartinez/Letras Libres
Oliver Parker's credit that The Great Escaper avoids these pitfalls, yet remains both moving and effective. Parker never patronizes Bernard, nor does he lean into any over-the-top patriotic nonsense, something so often found in movies that are similar. Stefan Papa/Common Sense Media
Tender at times, moving at others, with a touch of humor so that the sorrow dissipates a little, The Great Escaper is one of those films that are no longer made. Pablo O. Scholtz /Clarin
For that reason, it in tandem explores – particularly through Jackson’s superb performance as Rene – the privilege of making it to old age, especially with someone you love. Stephen Romei/The Australian
[Caine and Jackson] sell even the more on-the-nose moments in William Ivory’s script, and add gravitas to what could easily have been a patronising narrative. Hanna Strong/London Evening Standard
Oliver Parker’s retelling of this hero-for-a-day saga, with its salty script by William (Made in Dagenham) Ivory, could have been a lot cuddlier. I’m glad it isn’t. Tim Robey/Daily Telegraph
A moving and surprisingly nuanced drama offering far more than flag-waving nostalgia. Superb performances from Michael Caine and Glenda Jackson. Lou Thomas/Empire Magazine
Sing Sing
Monday October 7:15 p.m only
Divine G (Colman Domingo), imprisoned at Sing Sing for a crime he didn’t commit, finds purpose by acting in a theatre group with other incarcerated men. When a wary outsider joins the group, the men decide to stage their first original comedy, in this stirring true story of resilience, humanity, and the transformative power of art, starring an unforgettable ensemble cast of formerly incarcerated actors.
95 min
Season Sponsor: Rastin's Pharmacy
Proceeds to the DeMazenod Door Outreach
BUY TICKETS HERE: https://www.memorialarts.ca/films/sing-sing
Awards
Seattle International Film Festival: won Best Film and Best Acting Ensemble
South by Southwest International Film Festival: won audience award
Heartland Film Festival: won Truly Moving Film Award
Hamptons International Film Festival: Breakthrough Award (Clarence Maclin)
Savannah Film Festival: won Spotlight Award (Colman Domingo)
Reviews
It’s a beautiful film, a must-see that showcases the true power of the empathy machine we call the movies. Die Henderson Boston Globe
Perchance to dream, in a place like this? “Sing Sing” makes such reveries seem possible, including dreams of Oscars. Peter Howell/Toronto Star
Colman Domingo is at the peak of his considerable powers in Greg Kwedar’s inspirational, fact-based prison drama Sing Sing. Wendy Ice/Observer (UK)
Brimming with compassion and punctuated by humour, this is a moving look at prison and prisoners. It’s both infuriating and inspirational to see so much beauty in such a harsh environment. Helen O'Hara/Empire Magazine
Greg Kwedar's direction is both sensitive and unflinching. He balances the film's darker moments with flashes of humour and hope, creating a narrative that is as uplifting as it is heartbreaking. Linda Maric/Screenwords
This is as big, immersive and knock-down-drag-out impressive a vehicle as any leading performer could possibly hope for. And Domingo makes an absolute five-course meal out of it. Barry Hertz/Globe & Mail
Other Items of Interest
AFF Library of Some of Our Past Films
About 170 titles of past Ancaster Film Fest selections are available for loan at Rastin's Pharmacy.
Other Films Dates: 2024 Season
OTHER FILM DATES: Screenings 2:00 pm and 7:15
November 4
November 25
December 9
