Release Date: October 31, 2006

Films for the Entire Family at the National Gallery of Art in Fall/Winter 2006-2007

Washington, DC—This fall and winter, the National Gallery of Art Children’s Film Program includes recently produced films from all over the world. They include the inspiring 2005 rendition of the 1940 novel Lassie Come Home, set in Yorkshire, England; adventure tales set in the Galapagos Islands and South Africa; as well as films followed by hands-on activities. All films are free and presented in the 500-seat, state-of-the-art East Building auditorium. Seating is on a first-come, first-seated basis.

The Children’s Film Program, now in its seventh 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, while broadening children’s understanding of the world at home and faraway. Shown year-round, 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. Programs are free and subject to change; for the latest information call (202) 789-3030. Listings of film programs for children are updated quarterly on http://www.nga.gov/programs/flmchild.shtm.

2006–2007 FALL/WINTER SCHEDULE

LASSIE (Charles Sturridge, Ireland/United Kingdom, 2005, 99 minutes)
Saturday, November 4, 10:30 am
Sunday, November 5, 11:30 am
Saturday, November 18, 10:30 am
Sunday, November 19, 11:30 am

This cinematic rendition of Eric Knight’s 1940 novel Lassie Come Home features astonishing panoramic scenes of the British countryside and recounts the tale of young Joe Carraclough and his beloved collie Lassie. Set in 1939 in a small Yorkshire coal-mining town, the story depicts a community facing difficult times as war looms on the horizon. The Carraclough family is forced to sell Lassie to the duke of Rudling (played superbly by Peter O’Toole); however, Lassie keeps escaping and returning to his best friend, Joe. When war comes, the duke transports his granddaughter and Lassie to a remote castle on the coast of Scotland. Wishing only to be with Joe, Lassie gains freedom and makes a perilous journey of hundreds of miles, encountering hardships and kindness along the way. Will Lassie reach home in time for Christmas? Find out in this inspiring adventure—a story of loyalty and determination that the entire family can share. Recommended for ages 7 and up.

LAURA’S STAR (Thilo Graf Rothkirch and Piet De Rycker, Warner Bros. Pictures Germany, 2004, 80 minutes)

DC premiere
Saturday, December 2, 10:30 am
Sunday, December 3, 11:30 am
Followed by a hands-on activity

Having just moved from the country to the city with her family, seven-year-old Laura feels lonely. One night, she watches a shooting star land in a nearby park and decides to see if she can find it. When she does, Laura notices that the star has injured itself. She brings the shining star home, nurses it back to health, and they begin a fantastic friendship. But when Laura realizes that the star—like herself—yearns for its old home, will she let her new friend go? Eloquent and gentle, this animated film, filled with magical moments and wondrous flying adventures, is accompanied by a beautiful musical score. After each screening of Laura’s Star, families are invited to decorate star-shaped ornaments to take home. Recommended for ages 4 and up.

PINGU (HIT Entertainment, United Kingdom, 40 minutes)
Saturday, January 6, 10:30 am and 11:30 am
Sunday, January 7, 11:30 am
Followed by a hands-on activity

Pingu, presented in the classic animation style of Claymation, is a charming penguin who lives and plays at the South Pole. With the company of his parents, his sister Pinga, and his friend Robbie the seal, Pingu finds himself in amusing and tricky situations. After each 40-minute screening, families are invited to create their own work of art to take home. Recommended for ages 2 and up.

THE LITTLE POLAR BEAR: THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (Thilo Graf Rothkirch and Piet De Rycker, Warner Bros. Pictures Germany, 2005, 81 minutes)
Washington, DC premiere
Saturday, February 3, 10:30 am
Sunday, February 4, 11:30 am

Join the little polar bear Lars for an exciting adventure. Lars and his friends Caruso the penguin and Robby the seal enjoy playing and having fun in the North Pole. One day the trio gets trapped on a train and are unexpectedly swept away on a southbound journey. After boarding a ship, they arrive on the shores of the Galapagos Islands, where they meet iguanas, sea crabs, and turtles. Lars and his friends free a giant prehistoric fish that has been trapped in a cave and save hundreds of turtle eggs from a volcano. Now all the friends have to do is find their way back to the North Pole! An engaging tale, this animated film also instructs, providing lessons on ecology, teamwork, and friendship. Recommended for ages 4 and up.

DUMA (Carroll Ballard, United States, 2005, 100 minutes)
Saturday, March 17, 10:30 am
Sunday, March 18, 11:30 am

Set in southern Africa, this adventure tale explores the bonds of friendship between a courageous young boy named Xan and a cheetah. When Xan and his father come across an orphaned cheetah cub, they name their new friend Duma, the Swahili name for cheetah. As they nurse him back to health, the cat quickly becomes a member of the family. To Xan’s dismay, his father tells him that they must take Duma to his real home before he grows too old to survive in his native habitat. When his father suddenly falls ill and dies, Xan is left alone to set Duma free. Traveling hundreds of miles—over the scorching Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, through the Okavango Delta, and into the Erongo Mountains—Xan returns his best friend to his rightful home in the wild. On their challenging journey, Xan discovers that Duma is ready to live the life he was born to live. Based loosely on the Hopcrafts’ autobiographical novel How It Was with Dooms, the film beautifully photographs the wildlife and landscape of South Africa. Recommended for ages 10 and up.

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. The Gallery is now on Facebook—become a fan at www.facebook.com/NationalGalleryofArt.

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
2000B South Club Drive
Landover, MD 20785
phone: (202) 842-6353 e-mail: pressinfo@nga.gov

Deborah Ziska
Chief of Press and Public Information
(202) 842-6353
ds-ziska@nga.gov

If you are a member of the press and would like to be added to our press list, click here.