AU to screen ‘Precious’

Daily Herald staff report

“Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire,” a 2009 drama that received six Academy Award nominations, will be screened at Aurora University at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 24, in Perry Theatre in the Aurora Foundation Center, 1305 Kenilworth Place in Aurora.

Admission is free. The film is the fourth of four films in the 2010-2011 AU film series.

Henry Kronner, assistant professor of social work, and Jarrett Neal, assistant director of the Center for Teaching and Learning, will lead a post-screening discussion.

Directed by Lee Daniels, “Precious” stars Gabourey Sidibe, Mo’Nique, Paula Patton and Mariah Carey. The film marked the acting debut of Sidibe.

The film premiered to acclaim at both the 2009 Sundance Film Festival and the 2009 Cannes Film Festival. At Sundance, it won the Audience Award and the Grand Jury Prize for best drama, as well as a Special Jury Prize for supporting actress Mo’Nique.

“Precious” won the People’s Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2009.

The AU film series is part of the 2010-2011 “Celebrating Arts and Ideas” series, with events such as art, films, theater, music and lectures.

Call (630) 844-5615, e-mail artsandideas@aurora.edu or visit www.AUartsandideas.com for details.