The Creston and District Public Library’s next presentation in its Films that Make You Think series is High: The True Tale of American Marijuana.
Beyond the hysteria of Reefer Madness and past the deceptive lessons of “Just say no”, High exposes the true story of America’s war on drugs. Using government statistics, expert interviews and a large dose of humor, High takes a fresh look at this hot button issue and asks just how much this “war” costs the American taxpayer, an important question to ask in our current economic crisis.
How the U.S. government operates, often knowingly misinforming the public, and who benefits from its policies is an important question for every citizen, regardless of political party. Director John Holowach provides both the necessary historical background and current events for sober answers on marijuana and the DEA’s impact on people’s health and well-being in our modern society in his first documentary, High.
It includes a violent drug treatment program that allegedly tortured children, an overbearing drug czar that doesn't care for the people he hurts in his quest, patients who are being denied the medications they need, doctors being prosecuted for trying to help them and a substance that we all know of, but nobody wants to talk about.
The film starts at 1:30 p.m. in the library meeting room on March 26. Please phone the library at 250-428-4141 or email info@crestonlibrary.com for more information.
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The Creston and District Public Library’s next (Pseudo) Night at the Opera is Georges Bizet’s 1875 tragedy, Carmen.
Based on the 1845 novella of the same title by Prosper Mérimée, the story is set in Seville, Spain, in the early 19th century. It focuses on the eponymous Carmen, a beautiful Gypsy with a fiery temper. Free with her love, she woos the corporal Don José, an inexperienced soldier. Their relationship leads to his rejection of his former love, mutiny against his superior and joining a gang of smugglers. His jealousy when she turns from him to the bullfighter Escamillo leads them all to a tragic end.
Sadly, poor ticket sales for Carmen during its initial release meant Bizet was never to know how popular and well-loved it would become. He would die three months after the opera’s premiere of a heart attack, at the age of 36.
This DVD recording of a 1978 performance is directed by Franco Zefferelli and stars Elena Obraztsova as Carmen, Placido Domingo as Don Jose and Yuri Mazurok at Esca-millo. The regular special guest to guide viewers through the opera is Jacque-line Marie Clement.
Carmen starts at 7 p.m. in the library meeting room on March 26.