Film Club
Ballina Film Club’s autumn programme continues next week with The Diving Bell and the Butterfly on Tuesday November 18, at 8pm in Ballina Arts Centre.
Jean-Dominique Bauby (Mathieu Almaric ) was the rakishly successful and charismatic editor in chief of French Elle. At 43, Bauby – known for living and loving to the full – suffered a massive stroke leading to “locked-in syndrome.” Damage to his brain stem left him paralysed and unable to speak, his only form of communication being the blinking of his left eye.
Painstakingly, Bauby was helped to develop an alphabet of blinking, and over the course of little more than a year, he told his story in the form of a novel. This memoir became an international bestseller which touched people the world over but which, like the film, steers refreshingly clear of turning Bauby into a tragic, heroic figure. Rather, we see him as a flawed man, regretful of some of his choices, but a droll and irreverently funny man too. Starring Mathieu Almaric, Emmanuelle Seigner, Max von Sydow. Admission: €7 (seasonal rates available ).
Local based author to read from her work
On Thursday November 20 at 8pm, Killala-based novelist Helen Falconer will read from her work at Ballina Arts Centre. Born and brought up in London, Helen read philosophy at Oxford, then worked as a journalist and book reviewer for the Guardian newspaper. Her first novel, Primrose Hill, the story of a group of North London teenagers, was published in 1999. Her second, Sky High: A Novel (2003 ), depicts love, sex and violence in a forbidden relationship set against an urban landscape. She is currently working on her third novel, Apostle. Admission €5 / €3 concession.
Perspectives 3: Ballina Open Exhibition 2008
It’s that time of year again, when Ballina Arts Centre presents the best of work by locally based artists working in all media, with Perspectives 3: Ballina Open Exhibition 2008 coming in November.
Perspectives 3 is the third year of this highly successful initiative. The exhibition started in 2006, with the intention of giving the artists based in the Ballina area an opportunity to show their work at the Arts Centre. In 2006, 18 artists participated. Last year, there were 40, showcasing the best art being created in the Ballina region.
2008 promises a similar explosion of colour and imagery with over 40 artists on board for what promises to be another very successful exhibition. Like last year, there will also be a Primary Schools Exhibition Visit programme running for the duration of the exhibition. The programme comprises a number of fun activities for the visiting schoolchildren and gives them intimate access to locally made art of a high calibre.
The exhibition is also a wonderful opportunity for early Christmas shopping! Admission is free and all are welcome to attend. Perspectives 3: Ballina Open Exhibition 2008 is supported by Ballina Beverages. Runs until November 29.
