Events
Fall Foreign Film Series
Written by Barbara T. on 09/23/2009
Welcome back to the movies! Welcome to our 2009 Foreign Film Series!
Hooray! We are back with our films! We'll begin the Foreign Film Series on Friday, October 23rd and will continue for seven consecutive weeks. All films begin at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free.
October 23 - The Class (pictured left) -- France (2009) Rated PG-13; In French with English subtitles; 130 minutes
Francois and his fellow teachers prepare for a new year at a high school in a tough neighborhood. Armed with the best intentions, they brace themselves to not let discouragement stop them from trying to give the best education to their students. Cultures and attitudes often clash in the classroom, a microcosm of contemporary France. Francois insists on an atmosphere of respect and diligence. Neither stuffy nor severe, his extravagant frankness often takes the students by surprise. But his classroom ethics are put to the test when his students begin to challenge his methods.
Please click on the images to view trailers from the upcoming films.
October 30 - Sin Nombre -- Mexico (2009) Rated R, In Spanish with English subtitles; 96 minutes
Seeking the promise of America, a beautiful young Honduran woman, Sayra, joins her father and uncle on an odyssey to the United States. Along the way she crosses paths with a Mexican gang member who is trying to outrun his violent past and elude his former associates. Together they must rely on faith, trust, and street smarts if they are to survive their perilous journey towards the hope of new lives.
November 6 - Somers Town -- United Kingdom (2008) Not rated; In English; 71 minutes
Two teenagers, both newcomers to London, forge an unlikely friendship over the course of a hot summer. Tomo is a runaway from Nottingham; Marek, a Polish immigrant lives in the district of Somers Town, where his father is working on a new rail link. When Marek agrees to let homeless Tomo move into his room (unbeknownst to his father), the pair forms a strong bond as they work odd jobs for an eccentric neighbor and become infatuated with and compete for the attention of Maria, a beautiful young French waitress.
November 13 - Everlasting Moments -- Sweden (2009) Not rated; In Swedish and Finnish with English subtitles; 131 minutes
Sweden in the early 1900s was a time of social change and unrest, war and poverty. A young working class woman, Maria, wins a camera in a lottery and the decision to keep it alters her whole life. The camera grants Maria new eyes with which to see the world, and brings the charming photographer "Piff Paff Puff" into her life. Trouble ensues when Maria's alcoholic, womanizing husband feels threatened by the young man and his wife's newfound outlook on life.
November 20 - The Trap -- Serbia, Germany, & Hungary (2007) Not rated; In Serbo-Croatian with English subtitles; 112 minutes
A modern film noir reflecting the true face of Serbian "society in transition." It's a story that could happen to anyone. Mladen, an ordinary man, is forced to choose between the life and death of his young son. When the boy develops a serious heart condition, the doctors urge an expensive operation abroad. Just when the boy's parents give up hope of raising the money, a man contacts Mladen and offers to pay the whole amount; in exchange, Mladen must kill the man's business rival. The proposal repulses Mladen, but as his son's condition suddenly deteriorates, he begins to seriously consider the offer. If he accepts, he saves his boy's life but loses his soul; if he refuses, he will grieve as a righteous man until the end of his life. The trap is set...
PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF FILM: INSTEAD OF SHOWING Rudo y Cursi, WE WILL BE SHOWING FOR MY FATHER. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Friday, November 27th at 7:30, we will be showing For My Father -- (2008) Israel; Not rated; In Hebrew with English subtitles; 96 minutes.
Terek, a Palestinian forced on a suicide mission in Tel Aviv to redeem his father's honor, is given a second chance when the fuse on his explosive vest fails to detonate. Forced to spend the weekend in Tel Aviv awaiting its repair, Terek must live amongst the people he was planning to kill. To his surprise he connects with several Israelis on the outskirts of society, including the beautiful Keren, who has cut off contact with her Orthodox family and upbringing. With nothing to lose, Terek and Keren open up to one another, and an unlikely love blooms between two isolated and damaged individuals, raised to be enemies. However, with the deadly load of explosives still strapped to him, he must spend 48 hours in the city, caught between the men that sent him—who can blow up his bomb remotely, the Israeli police patrolling the streets and his new-found companions. Spending this time with Keren and his new friends, Terek discovers the spark of life returning to fill his soul, but when the weekend ends, Terek must make the decision of his life.
December 4 - A Christmas Tale -- France (2008) Not rated; In French with English subtitles; 152 minutes
A dysfunctional family's matriarch (played by Catherine Deneuve) brings everyone together at Christmas to inform them she needs a bone marrow transplant from a blood relative in order to survive. The family's shared history of physical and mental illness, estrangement, self harm, and loss doesn't lend itself to the idea of a cheerful holiday season. But can a Christmastime reunion, a scheme concocted by three of the youngest family members, finally bring peace to their clan?
Wondering what to read? Meet Us on Main Street!
Written by Barbara T. on 09/22/2009
Every Wednesday morning during September and October at 11 a.m., we go LIVE with our Staff Recommends! We can tell you about what's just out, the timely and the timeless, and what's coming soon. In case you haven't noticed, we love talking about books...and movies, authors and actors. We have our own favorites and opinions, of course, but we are awfully good at keeping our finger on the pulse of the community. Whether we clue you in on the newest voices and trends from publishers, or refresh your reading list with the tried and true, we promise you will not want to leave empty-handed.
One of the best things about Meet Us on Main Street is hearing about what you're reading. This is a fun and informal gathering and we look forward to having you join us!
In case you must miss this "must" event, here's what we're doing -- we're tagging the books and movies that are discussed on Wednesday mornings in our catalog with the Meet Us on Main Street tag.
See you on Main Street!
Our One Page Poetry Circle returns!
Written by Erica B on 09/21/2009
Please join us this Wednesday, September 23rd at 7 PM for our first One Page Poetry Circle of the Fall! Don't miss this wonderful and unique opportunity to read, appreciate, and discuss poetry. Madge McKeithen, faculty member of The Writing Program at The New School, will lead the discussions. Our theme for Wednesday's program will be Poetry & Beginnings.
Bring a single page of published poetry to read aloud that relates in some way to Beginnings.
Or come and read one from the stacks others have pulled from among their favorites (there tends to be a reliable “extras” pile.) The reading aloud and the brief discussions are other sizeable portions of the pleasure.
And mark your calendars for the additional One Page Poetry Circle programs we have scheduled for later this Fall:
October 21 at 7 PM - Poetry & Masks
November 18 at 7 PM - Poetry & Family
December 16 at 7 PM - Poetry & Light
The Fall Author Series at the Library
Look who's coming to the Library this fall!
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A. J. JACOBS - Author of The Guinea Pig Diaries: My Life as an Experiment
Sunday, October 4, 5:30 p.m.
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LUCINDA SCALA QUINN - Author of Mad Hungry: Feeding Men & Boys
Thursday, October 22, 7 p.m.
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MICHAEL MAUBOUSSIN - Author of Think Twice: Harnessing the Power of Counterintuition
Sunday, November 1, 5:30 p.m.
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DAVID BALDACCI - Author of True Blue
Thursday, November 5, 7 p.m.
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CHRIS WELLES FEDER - Author of In My Father's Shadow: A Daughter Remembers Orson Welles
Sunday, November 15, 5:30 p.m.
Click here for all the details.
Here's the Story...
Last spring, we held a special evening of storytelling for adults at the Darien Library...it was a wonderful, warm gathering full of laughter, memories, old friends, new friends, and most of all, stories. We heard folktales, personal stories, ancient myths and legends, and modern-day stories that reminded us all of the connections -- and differences -- between us.
With cooler nights and shorter days upon us, it's time again to gather in a circle and share that magical connection between storytellers and listeners. Whether we've stood on a stage in front of hundreds or just listened and enjoyed the delicious mix that happens in a circle like this, the power of storytelling brings us all together for an experience that is unlike any other. Please join our circle at 7 p.m. on Thursday, September 17 and we promise an evening that will welcome, entertain, and amaze you!
Additional parking for evening and weekend Library programs on Thorndal Circle (behind Nielsen's.)
Art on View - Elsie Trask Wheeler
A Photographic Exhibition by Elsie Trask Wheeler
In the Art Gallery through October 12th
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On Friday, September 11th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m, there will be an Artist's Reception in the Art Gallery on the Library's Lower Level.
All are welcome.
At left, Elsie Trask Wheeler. To read the artist's statement, please click on the attachment below.
You Won't Want to Miss a Thing (and you don't have to)!
It is with tremendous (practically pulse-pounding!) excitement that we (once again) bring you calendar-worthy news for the fall! Technically, our Fall Author Series doesn't begin until October, but we are putting you on early alert because we believe that you will want to get these dates in ink right away! And, if you're like us and love early alerts and up-to-the-minute news, you'll love our tweets. If you're worried that you may miss what's happening at the Library, please follow us on Twitter.
Prepare yourself for an autumn at Darien Library that includes talk of strange experiments...survival...power...murder...and a peek into the personal life of a Hollywood icon.
Please join us for...
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A. J. JACOBS - Author of The Guinea Pig Diaries: My Life as an Experiment
Sunday, October 4, 5:30 p.m.
From the writer who read the entire encyclopedia (The Know-it-All: One Man's Humble Quest to Become the Smartest Person in the World) and followed every rule of the Bible for one year (The Year of Living Biblically), comes his most outrageous and thought-provoking series of adventures yet. In The Guinea Pig Diaries, A. J. Jacobs immerses himself in nine different lifestyles, including living undercover as a beautiful woman, outsourcing his life to India (the best month of his life), and practicing extreme honesty (the worst month of his life). With each experiment, he learns surprisingly profound lessons about love, business, fame, and marriage. Editor-at-large of Esquire, contributor to NPR, and a columnist for mental_floss magazine, Jacobs's new book is so side-splittingly hilarious, it should come with a warning label! (Suggested "experiment" from me: Just try to read the first chapter of The Guinea Pig Diaries on the train without making a spectacle of yourself! I don't think it can be done.)
A wine and cheese reception and book signing will follow the presentation.
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LUCINDA SCALA QUINN - Author of Mad Hungry: Feeding Men & Boys
Thursday, October 22, 7 p.m.
Lucinda Scala Quinn, Vice President and Editorial Director of Food and Entertaining of Martha Stewart Omnimedia, has three sons and a husband who love to eat. Perhaps best known for her regular appearances on NBC's Today and Martha, as well as hosting her weekly radio show and co-hosting PBS's Everyday Food, this popular chef, cooking teacher, caterer, food writer and expert has created a cookbook that hopes to help "civilize the wild beasts in your life, one meal at a time." Mad Hungry is a practical cookbook that contains recipes for nutritious and homemade meals, provides cooking techniques and survival strategies, and offers advice for teaching men and boys to create meals for themselves.
A wine and cheese reception and book signing will follow the presentation.
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MICHAEL MAUBOUSSIN - Author of Think Twice: Harnessing the Power of Counterintuition
Sunday, November 1, 5:30 p.m.
Why does it seem so difficult to make sound business decisions? In his newest book, Think Twice, Michael Mauboussin, author of the critically-acclaimed More Than You Know: Finding Financial Wisdom in Unconventional Places, explains how to avoid common mental missteps when making important judgment calls. Sharing vivid stories from business and beyond, he explains how to know when to think twice, question your reasoning, and adopt decision-making strategies that are far more effective, even if they seem counterintuitive. Michael Mauboussin is Chief Investment Strategist at Legg Mason Capital Management and an adjunct professor of finance at Columbia Business School.
A wine and cheese reception and book signing will follow the presentation.
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DAVID BALDACCI - Author of True Blue
Thursday, November 5, 7 p.m.
David Baldacci, the internationally acclaimed author of 17 bestselling novels, will speak about his newest book, True Blue. This thriller, set in Washington D.C., follows wrongfully disgraced police officer Mason "Mace" Perry and young lawyer Roy Kingman as they investigate murders that put them on a collision course with the dark side of national security. True Blue is definitely a page-turner from (trust me!) page two. (It is a mystery to me how the author does that!)
David Baldacci is best known for his Camel Club series and the King and Maxwell series. Over 90 million of his books appear in print and are published worldwide in at least 45 languages.
A wine and cheese reception and book signing will follow the presentation.
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CHRIS WELLES FEDER - Author of In My Father's Shadow: A Daughter Remembers Orson Welles
Sunday, November 15, 5:30 p.m.
Orson Welles's oldest daughter, Chris Welles Feder, has written a revealing book about one of cinema's greatest icons. Though many books have been written about Orson Welles, the mastermind behind such films as Citizen Kane and Touch of Evil, none have provided the deeply personal and nuanced portrait that emerges from Welles Feder's memories of her father. In My Father's Shadow offers a moving and insightful look at life lived in the shadow of a legendary figure; it is an immensely entertaining story of growing up a child of Hollywood.
A wine and cheese reception and book signing will follow the presentation.
Fall Book Discussion Series
This fall, we’ll be traveling the globe via the written and spoken word! Darien librarians will lead lively and thought-provoking discussions about four recent novels that take the reader to faraway places and different times. Our book selections provide the opportunity to explore distant countries, new cultures, and different eras…without the jetlag!
We’ll wrap up our Book Discussion Series at the Library on Tuesday, December 1st at 7 PM with a special guest lecture by Dr. Mark Schenker, Associate Dean at Yale College, of Yale University. His presentation, “Imagined Travels to Real Places: How Fiction Connects Us to Places We’ve Never Been,” will combine the theme of this series with his literary expertise and is certain to be enlightening and entertaining!
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Little Bee by Chris Cleave Tuesday, September 29, 7 PM |
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A Golden Age by Tahmima Anam Tuesday, October 13, 7 PM? |
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The Painter from Shanghai by Jennifer Cody Epstein? Tuesday, November 3, 7 PM ? |
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The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery? Tuesday, November 17, 7 PM |
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And don't forget to mark your calendars for this can't-miss event! Guest lecture by Dr. Mark Schenker, Associate Dean, Yale College, of Yale University?Imagined Travels to Real Places: How Fiction Connects Us to Places We've Never Been Tuesday, December 1, 7 PM |
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Tonight's Film - Duplicity
Our Summer Film Series concludes on Friday August, 28th with the screening of the new Julia Roberts/Clive Owen film, Duplicity.
August 28 at 7:30 p.m.
Additional parking for evening and weekend Library programs on Thorndal Circle (behind Nielsen's).
Before "Leaving New York City" leaves the Library...
...please stop by.
In the Art Gallery Now Through This Afternoon
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Patrick Madden's 'LEAVING NEW YORK CITY"
It's an exquisite exhibit and one that would be a shame to miss. We'll be sorry to see "Leaving New York City" leave. Please stop by while you still have the chance!
(l-r: Soho Rain Shared, Times Square V, Cab in From JFK)
Darien Library, 1441 Post Road, Darien, Connecticut, 06820-5419 · 203-655-1234Directions and Contact Information. Twitter: darienlibrary. AIM & Y!M: deweydarien.