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Community Corner

After Hours Film Society Celebrates 25th Anniversary with "A Hard Day's Night"

The After Hours Film Society will celebrate its 25thanniversary at the Tivoli Theatre, 5021 Highland Avenue in downtown Downers Grove, on Monday, July 28 at 7:30 PM with a special presentation of the “A Hard Day’s Night.” Tickets are $8 for After Hours Film Society members and students and $12 for non-members. Proceeds from this special show help fund the cash awards given for the annual AHFS Student Film Festival.  

A digitally restored version of the classic Beatles comedy musical was released this year to commemorate the film’s 50th anniversary. “A Hard Day’s Night” (G/87 min.) portrays a couple of days in the lives of the band. The film is considered to be one of the best and most influential musical films of all time. 

“It’s never looked this good. It’s never sounded this good,” says Debbie Venezia, founder and executive director of the After Hours Film Society and a Beatles enthusiast.

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A discussion led by Val Camilletti will follow the film. Camilletti, Beatles aficionado and owner of Val's halla, a record store in Oak Park, worked for Capitol Records during the Beatles heyday and has plenty of anecdotes to share about the Fab Four. “She has so many different stories to tell. She’s a hoot,” Venezia says.

Venezia marvels at the growth and success the After Hours Film Society has experienced over the past quarter century. “The time has flown by. I don’t know how we got to this point,” notes Venezia, who had a specific goal when she founded theorganization at the urging of her brother. “My mission and my goal was to form a film society to bring foreign and arts films to the suburbs.”

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The Tivoli Theatre has been the society’s home since 1999 and serves as the perfect venue for the group. “Coming to the Tivoli was a dream come true. The theatre is a palace,” Venezia says. “Classic Cinemas is just a wonderful organization to work with. We have a wonderful working relationship.”

 

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