"Why is it so dark?
In the beginning, it is always dark."
Dir. Wolfgang Peterson (1984)
Directed by Wolfgang Peterson,The NeverEnding Story is surely one of the most enduringly appealing family films of the 1980s. Bastian (Barrett Oliver), a nerdish boy longing to escape the torment of local bullies, discovers a mysterious book called The NeverEnding Story and shacks up in the attic of...
[read more] "Why is it so dark?
In the beginning, it is always dark."
Dir. Wolfgang Peterson (1984)
Directed by Wolfgang Peterson,The NeverEnding Story is surely one of the most enduringly appealing family films of the 1980s. Bastian (Barrett Oliver), a nerdish boy longing to escape the torment of local bullies, discovers a mysterious book called The NeverEnding Story and shacks up in the attic of his school to read it through the night. The book tells the tale of Fantasia, a fantastical land being slowly engulfed by a dangerous force known only as “The Nothing”. Only Fantasia’s ailing leader, the Childlike Empress, and a young warrior named Atreyu (Noah Hathaway) stand in its way.
As Bastian loses himself in the story, he begins to realize that this imaginary world is all too real, and that only he can save Fantasia!
Based on a popular German fantasy book by Michael Ende, The NeverEnding Story demonstrates to us the power of imagination in a truly “meta” context. Fans will delight in revisiting the charms The NeverEnding Story, with character designs by the Jim Henson Company. Equally as memorable are the heartrending and chilling moments of the film, including the demise of Atreyu’s horse, Artex, and the terrorizing force of the Nothing and its ward, a wolf-like creature named Gmork. Tami Stronach, in a small role, offers a mature and poignant performance as the Childlike Empress that gives the film’s climactic scene surprising weight. No doubt audiences will find themselves softly singing the chorus of Limahl’s catchy theme song in the shower for weeks to come.
This screening is timed to coincide with Fan Expo, Toronto’s largest fantasy, sci-fi, comic book, and horror convention. Head north, young geeks!
~ backyard cinema program notes, David Carey
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The 519 and the CWVBIA invite audiences of all ages to a summer of camp, cult, fantasy and imagination at our backyard cinema. Bring chairs, blankets, Snuggies® and your bestest friends and family to the grassy knoll in Cawthra Square Park. You'll want to come early to get a great seat, and to catch the surprise entertainment before each screening!
We're screening 4 films at the backyard cinema over the summer:
Grey Gardens tap dances its way into your heart on July 16
Mommie Dearest flings the wire hangers out of the closet on July 30
Some heads are gonna roll on August 13 when we screen Return To Oz
The NeverEnding Story makes dreams take flight on August 27
Each screening begins at approximately 9:00pm with a short opening show at 8:45pm. Cawthra Square Park is located just north of The 519 Church Street Community Centre, at the corner of Church Street & Dundonald Street.
Presented by the Church Wellesley Village Business Improvement Association (CWVBIA) and The 519's Green Space Committee as part of the Green Space on Church project.
The Green Space on Church is a community-led project of The 519 Church Street Community Centre. The Green Space on Church aims to maximize the use of community parkland in new and interesting ways that breathe new life and energy into the Church and Wellesley neighbourhood.
Our diverse programming celebrates the communities we serve, the downtown residential community and the broader LGBT communities.
