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Gorton Center kicks off Siskel film series

Gorton Community Center now offers critically acclaimed independent films one Thursday each month, October through May. Each film is curated by the Gene Siskel Film Center of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago as part of Gorton's inaugural season of the Gene Siskel Film Center Series.

The first film in the series, "People Places Things," debuted at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival in August to critical acclaim. A poignant, romantic comedy written and directed by James C. Strouse, the story centers on Will Henry, played by Jemaine Clement of "Flight of the Conchords," a newly single graphic novelist balancing parenting his young twin daughters and a classroom full of students, while exploring the complexities of new love and letting go of the woman who left him.

"With our state-of-the-art film capabilities in the new John and Nancy Hughes Theater, we have been able to align with some of the most respected film centers," Gorton Board Chair Mark Ventling said. "Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, and really the entire North Shore, will see distinctive, sophisticated films just moments from home."

The Gene Siskel Film Center has a long-standing mission of presenting significant world cinema in a noncommercial context. Established as the Film Center of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago more than 40 years ago, it was renamed in 2000 to honor the late film critic who possessed a laserlike ability to discern quality in everything, especially film.

"Gorton Community Center has a deep-rooted dedication to the arts, which makes this partnership a natural fit," said Jean de St. Aubin, executive director of the Gene Siskel Film Center.

"We are delighted to share our eclectic programming through this film series. Films are the single greatest art form for expressing the human condition. They have the power to not only entertain us, but they transport us to other places and times, providing us with a better understanding of ourselves and our world."

Show time is 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1. Tickets are $11 and can be purchased at gortoncenter.org. Running time is 1 hour, 26 minutes and it is rated "R." Refreshments will be available in the newly renovated Glore Solarium an hour before show time.

Gorton Community Center id at 400 E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest.

The next film in the series is "Paul Taylor: Creative Domain" at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12.

Dates for the remainder of the series are: Dec. 3, Jan. 7, Feb. 4, March 10, April 7 and May 5.

Gorton Community Center is a privately-funded, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that operates in partnership with volunteers and the city of Lake Forest to enrich the lives of its residents through cultural arts, education and charitable service.

Gorton relies on the generosity of residents and businesses to help fund programs, services and building improvements offered in the historic building owned by the city.

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