The grand finale
We are very excited about the final film in our summer series. This film, released a couple of months ago in theaters, is a story that is powerful and heartwarming at the same time. It is about doing what's right, unlikely friendships, and truth. This true story of Maria Altman, an Austrian survivor of WWII. Now, we have all heard war stories and holocaust stories. We have even heard about all the art that the Nazis stole. So what makes this story unique?
Well, the subject of this story is a singular piece of art, Gustav Klimt's "Adele Bloch-Bauer I". This stunning piece of work that was confiscated by the Nazi party after its owners were imprisoned and eventually killed is a portrait of Ms. Altman's beloved aunt. Well after the war, and after having immigrated to the U.S., Altman (Helen Mirren) decides to get her painting back. Finding an unlikely ally in her attorney, played by Ryan Reynolds, Altman takes on the Austrian government.
Unlike many history texts and films, this one shows the country of Austria in a new light. The country that wanted to be know as staying neutral and on the side of the Jews actually sold out many of their inhabitants in order to maintain status under the forthcoming Nazi rule. Confiscating millions of dollars in gold, art, and the like to turn over to the Nazis as good will measures or just plain bribes, Austria did considerable damage to its people. After the war, the government kept assets seized and made no efforts to reconcile with its citizens.
Altman's law suit broke through the tenacity with which the Austrian government fought to keep hold of the stolen treasures of Jews and Austrians alike.
The pure magic of this film is in the strength of the story and its characters. One writer for the NY Times alikes Mirren and Reynolds against Austria as a David and Goliath story. This could not be more accurate. The pair are funny, witty, and truly the underdog all audiences will find themselves rooting for from the start of the film to the last moment.
This is a wonderful movie and a great way to end what has been a great summer of films.
We truly hope you will join us tonight for our last night, and bring a friend too. You won't want to miss this.
7 p.m. in the Science Building. See you there.
Well, the subject of this story is a singular piece of art, Gustav Klimt's "Adele Bloch-Bauer I". This stunning piece of work that was confiscated by the Nazi party after its owners were imprisoned and eventually killed is a portrait of Ms. Altman's beloved aunt. Well after the war, and after having immigrated to the U.S., Altman (Helen Mirren) decides to get her painting back. Finding an unlikely ally in her attorney, played by Ryan Reynolds, Altman takes on the Austrian government.
Unlike many history texts and films, this one shows the country of Austria in a new light. The country that wanted to be know as staying neutral and on the side of the Jews actually sold out many of their inhabitants in order to maintain status under the forthcoming Nazi rule. Confiscating millions of dollars in gold, art, and the like to turn over to the Nazis as good will measures or just plain bribes, Austria did considerable damage to its people. After the war, the government kept assets seized and made no efforts to reconcile with its citizens. 
Altman's law suit broke through the tenacity with which the Austrian government fought to keep hold of the stolen treasures of Jews and Austrians alike.The pure magic of this film is in the strength of the story and its characters. One writer for the NY Times alikes Mirren and Reynolds against Austria as a David and Goliath story. This could not be more accurate. The pair are funny, witty, and truly the underdog all audiences will find themselves rooting for from the start of the film to the last moment.
This is a wonderful movie and a great way to end what has been a great summer of films.
We truly hope you will join us tonight for our last night, and bring a friend too. You won't want to miss this.
7 p.m. in the Science Building. See you there.
Comments