Executive Council
September 19, 2016
Honouring Our Veterans
Public Invited to Canada's Only Screening of 1916 Film Battle of the Somme
The British High Commission – as a gift to Newfoundland and Labrador – are presenting a free public screening of the remastered 1916 film The Battle of the Somme along with a live performance of Laura Rossi's 2006 accompanying score, performed by the Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador Chamber Orchestra. This is the first and only time this film is being shown in Canada.
The event will take place on Friday, September 30, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. at the St. John's Arts and Culture Centre. The Provincial Government is inviting the public to attend this special event free of charge. Tickets are available on a first come, first serve basis.
“The Provincial Government is honoured to receive this special gift from the British High Commission. July 1 marked
100 years since the tragic events at Beaumont-Hamel claimed a generation of Newfoundland and Labrador's young men. A century
later Beaumont-Hamel remains a powerful piece of our war story and communities province-wide commemorated this landmark anniversary
to recognize those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. I welcome members of the public to come and attend this memorable and historic
evening to honour our fallen heroes.”
- The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
Tickets to the free screening are available online by visiting www.artsandculturecentre.com/stjohns/ ; in person at the Arts and Culture Centre box office or by calling 729-3900, Monday to Saturday 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Limit six (6) tickets per order.
The Battle of the Somme film is one of the jewels in the Imperial War Museum's collection. It is a compelling documentary record of one of the key battles of the First World War and the first feature-length documentary film record of combat. Seen by over 20 million people after its release in August 1916 – when the battle was still raging – The Battle of the Somme was recognized at the time as a phenomenon that allowed the civilian home-front audience to share the experiences of the front-line soldier and the brutal reality of the First World War.
QUICK FACTS
- The screening of the 1916 film The Battle of the Somme hosted by the British High Commission will take place on Friday, September 30 at 7:00 p.m. at the St. John's Arts and Culture Centre
- Tickets are available on a first come, first serve basis.
- Tickets to the free screening are available online by visiting: www.artsandculturecentre.com/stjohns/ ; in person at the Arts and Culture Centre box office or by calling 729-3900, Monday to Saturday 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Limit six (6) tickets per order.
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Media contact:
Michelle Cannizzaro Media Relations Manager Office of the Premier 709-729-3960 MichelleCannizzaro@gov.nl.ca |
2016 09 19 10:55 p.m.