After Hours Film Society Presents “Bicycle Thief” Aug. 11 at Tivoli Theatre

The After Hours Film Society continues at the Tivoli Theatre, 5021 Highland Avenue in downtown Downers Grove, on Monday, August 11 at 7:30 PM with a special presentation of “Bicycle Thief.” The film will be shown in memory of Joe Barillari, who was instrumental in the formation of the After Hours Film Society. Tickets for “Bicycle Thief” are $5 per person for After Hours Film Society members and $9 for non-members. Allan Carter, one of Barillari’s closest friends and colleagues, will lead a discussion following the film.

Barillari, who along with Carter co-hosted a firm-related radio program at the College of DuPage station, frequently led the discussion following the films and had the uncanny ability to draw audience members into the conversation, says Deborah Venezia, founder and executive director of the After Hours Film Society.

“Joe loved film and spent most of his time in movie theaters.  What he brought to our discussions was an encyclopedic knowledge of film and film history.

He was always quick with an appropriate movie quote often accompanied by a spot-on impersonation of the character making the quote,” Venezia recalls.

Barillari enjoyed a close relationship with his son, Erik. “We decided to show “Bicycle Thief” in honor of Joe not only because it was his favorite film, but also because it embodies a strong father-son relationship, something that Joe lived daily in his life,” Venezia says.

Released in 1948, “Bicycle Thief” is an Italian film about a man and his son’s search for a stolen bicycle vital for his job.