Updated: April 15, 2005

NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART CHILDREN’S FILM PROGRAM KICKS OFF NEW SEASON OF CLASSIC AND INTERNATIONAL FILMS ON JANUARY 8, 2005

Washington, DC- This winter and spring, the National Gallery of Art Children’s Film Program will present a wide variety of films from the United States and around the world—The Netherlands, UK, Denmark, Japan, South Korea, Germany, and Canada. The new season includes such beloved classics as The Secret Garden (January 8) and Black Beauty (May 13 and 14), as well as recently produced international films making their Washington, DC, premiere. All films are free and shown in the climate-controlled comfort of the East Building Auditorium, which has stadium-style seating for 465 and a state-of-the-art wide screen.

The Children’s Film Program, now in its fifth year, offers family audiences innovative film programming, enhances enjoyment of the Gallery’s collection and exhibitions, and fosters an understanding of film as an art form. Films are shown year-round and selections represent a broad range of recently produced foreign and domestic films, including live-action and animated films, short and feature-length productions, and classics.

The Children’s Film Program is made possible by the generous support of washingtonpost.com.

WINTER/SPRING 2005 SCHEDULE

THE SECRET GARDEN (Agnieska Holland, US/UK, 1993, 102 minutes)
Saturday, January 8, 10:30 am

After losing her parents in an earthquake, young Mary Lennox is sent to England to live with her reclusive uncle. Left on her own, Mary begins exploring the estate and discovers a garden that has been locked and neglected. What other secrets of the manor will Mary uncover? Find out what happens in this magical story, based on the book by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Recommended for ages 7 and up.

MINOES (Vincent Ball, The Netherlands, 2001, 93 minutes)
Saturday, February 5, 10:30 am

Minoes, a young woman, speaks the language of cats, her favorite food is raw fish, and she likes to prowl trees and roof tops at night. Can you guess why? Find out in this delightful feature-length adventure that is “purr-fect” for the whole family. Recommended for ages 7 and up; in Dutch with English subtitles.

THE BOY WHO WANTED TO BE A BEAR (Jannik Hastrup, Denmark, 2002, 75 minutes)
Sunday, March 13, 11:30 am
Saturday, March 19, 10:30 am

This beautifully animated film tells the story of a boy raised by polar bears in the Arctic wild. Torn between the advantages of living as a polar bear and his roots in the human world, the boy must make a difficult decision and brave the mythical powers of the wilderness to see it through. See what happens as this mystical tale unfolds. Recommended for ages 8 and up; in Danish with English subtitles.

DODGE-A-GO-GO! (Mitsuhiro Mihara, Japan, 2002, 82 minutes)
Thursday, April 14, 10:30 am
Monday, April 18, 10:30 am
Tuesday, April 19, 10:30 am
Sunday, April 24, 11:30 am

Not only is Yukiko’s dodgeball team facing an embarrassing losing streak, but her family is moving from Japan to Korea. In Seoul, she meets new friends who are able to help out her underdog dodgeball team as they gear up to face legendary rivals. Find out how the game plays out in this heartfelt, hilarious comedy. The high-energy sport scenes almost feel like a documentary film, as the camera puts us right into the action. Recommended for ages 8 and up; in Japanese with English subtitles. Preceded by the animated film Bellybutton (Mike Nawrocki, US, 4 minutes).

KIRIKOU AND THE SORCERESS (Michel Ocelot, France/Belgium, 1998, 71 minutes)
Thursday, April 14, 10:30 am
Friday, April 15, 12:30 pm
Sunday, April 24, 11:30 pm

This beautifully animated West African folktale tells the story of a small boy with amazing abilities. Kirikou, a newborn, decides to rid his village of a curse placed upon it by the sorceress Karaba. He uses his ingenuity and small size to discover the way to the sorceress and wins the hearts of everyone in the process. The film is accompanied by and original soundtrack by the Senegalese musician Youssou N’Dour. Recommended for ages 7 and up; in French with English subtitles. Comment: Female characters and children are drawn partially clothed to reflect traditional tribal dress.

AN ANGEL FOR MAY (Harley Cokeliss, UK, 2002, 100 minutes)
Sunday, April 17, 11:30 am
Monday, April 18, 10:30 am

This live-action feature takes audiences on a journey back to the England of the 1940s. After accidentally tumbling through a magical time portal, twelve-year-old Tom realizes that he has been transported from the present to the time of World War II. He finds himself on a thriving farm run by Sam Wheeler, who is looking after a war orphan names May. With a sheepdog as his time-travel guide, Tom makes many friends on the farm and becomes especially attached to May. When he returns to the present, Tom discovers the fate of his friends from the past and takes on the dangerous task of rewriting history. Featuring Tom Wilkinson, An Angel for May is a story of caring and hope that the entire family can share. Recommended for ages 8 and up.

THE BLINDGÄNGER (Bernd Sahling, Germany, 2004, 87 minutes)
Friday, April 15, 12:30 pm
Monday, April 18, 12:30 pm
Saturday, April 23, 10:30 am

Marie and Inga are musicians at heart who would give anything to win a televised talent contest. Hoping to come up with the best teenage music video, the girls form a band at their boarding school. They weather tough auditions, exhausting rehearsals, and the difficulties of being blind in a seeing world. This award-winning film celebrates the importance of friendship, perseverance, and ambitious dreams. Recommended for ages 11 and up; in German with English subtitles. Preceded by the animated film Stormy Night (Michèle Lemieux, Canada, 10 minutes).

BLACK BEAUTY (Caroline Thompson, US/UK, 1994, 88 minutes)
Friday, May 13, 10:30 am
Saturday, May 14, 10:30 am

The story of Black Beauty is told by the horse himself, as he recounts his experiences with different owners. This faithful adaptation of the 1877 novel by Anna Sewell will be presented with the collaborative assistance of the seventh grade students of Eastern Middle School in Silver Spring, Maryland, who will present research and studies comparing the book to the film. Through numerous printings and film releases, the story has served to draw attention to the relationship between humans and animals, and raised awareness about animal welfare. Recommended for ages 7 and up.

GENERAL FILM INFORMATION

The Children’s Film Program takes place in the East Building Auditorium at 4th Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Seating for all events is on a first-come, first-seated basis. To ensure getting a seat, arrive at least ten minutes before showtime. Programs are subject to change; for the latest information call (202) 789-3030. Listings of children’s films are updated quarterly on www.nga.gov/kids. To obtain a free family programs calendar by mail, send an e-mail to family@nga.gov Please include name and mailing address.

General Information

The National Gallery of Art and its Sculpture Garden are at all times free to the public. They are located on the National Mall between 3rd and 9th Streets at Constitution Avenue NW, and are open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Gallery is closed on December 25 and January 1. For information call (202) 737-4215 or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at (202) 842-6176, or visit the Gallery's Web site at www.nga.gov.

Visitors will be asked to present all carried items for inspection upon entering the East and West Buildings. Checkrooms are free of charge and located at each entrance. Luggage and other oversized bags must be presented at the 4th Street entrances to the East or West Building to permit x-ray screening and must be deposited in the checkrooms at those entrances. For the safety of visitors and the works of art, nothing may be carried into the Gallery on a visitor's back. Any bag or other items that cannot be carried reasonably and safely in some other manner must be left in the checkrooms. Items larger than 17 x 26 inches cannot be accepted by the Gallery or its checkrooms.

For additional press information please call or send inquiries to:

Press Office
National Gallery of Art
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Landover, MD 20785
phone: (202) 842-6353 e-mail: pressinfo@nga.gov

Deborah Ziska
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(202) 842-6353
ds-ziska@nga.gov

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