'12 Years a Slave' at The Hett on Feb. 23

Lebanon, Ill. — The highly acclaimed 2013 film “12 Years a Slave” will be shown at McKendree University’s Hettenhausen Center for the Arts on Sunday, Feb. 23. Two screenings will be held, at 2 and 7 p.m. Admission is free for McKendree University students and $5 for the public. Purchase tickets online at www.theHett.com or at the box office.

Based on an extraordinary true story, “12 Years a Slave” stars Chiwetel Ejiofor as Solomon Northrup, a free African-American from upstate New York who was abducted and sold into slavery in pre-Civil War Louisiana. The film is nominated for nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor and Actress, Best Director, and Adapted Screenplay. The film won the Golden Globes’ Best Picture (Drama) Award, given by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, and tied for Best Picture chosen by the Producers Guild of America.

“This may be the most important film ever made on the topic of America’s slave-owning history. We are pleased to able to screen just one week before the Academy Awards, where I expect it to do well,” said Peter Palermo, director of the Hettenhausen Center.

For more information, visit theHett.com or call (618) 537-6865.

 

-McK-

The Russel E. and Fern M. Hettenhausen Center for the Arts - “The Hett” - is Southern Illinois’ premier performing arts venue, presenting world class dance, drama, classical music and jazz. The 488-seat auditorium is located on the McKendree University campus in Lebanon, Illinois, 25 miles from downtown St. Louis. www.theHett.com