Unveiling new speaker series, Society of the Four Arts Friday Film Series returns this week

Diego Diaz Lasa, Palm Beach Daily News
Updated ·4 min read
The Society of the Four Arts Friday Film Series returns this Friday with a screening of "Chasing the Thunder," which will also feature a discussion with producer Katie Carpenter.
The Society of the Four Arts Friday Film Series returns this Friday with a screening of "Chasing the Thunder," which will also feature a discussion with producer Katie Carpenter.

The Society of the Four Arts Friday Film Series returns to Palm Beach this week revamped with the introduction of the Friday Film Series with Discussion.

Hosted at the Walter S. Gubelmann Auditorium inside the Esther B. O’Keeffe Building of the Four Arts Plaza, the new programming has the organization inviting filmmakers or experts in a film’s subject to selected screenings to discuss topics related to the film.

More: Palm Beach Book Store to host packed lineup of book signings for December

According to Diana Barrett, chair of the Four Art’s film committee, the Friday Film Series hopes to introduce audiences to impactful media that has flown under the general audience’s radar.

“We look for films with a strong cast and well-known directors and aim for a mixture of action-packed dramas and more personal films, with the goal of finding ‘gems’ that might not have been heavily advertised and promoted,” Barrett said.

Kicking off the programming is Friday’s showing of “Chasing the Thunder” featuring producer Katie Carpenter. Carpenter, an Emmy-nominated documentarian known whose film's center on marine conservation, will speak to audiences about the thrilling documentary tracking the hundred-day chase between two marine conversation ship captains, and the illegal poaching and pirate fishing vessel, the Thunder.

The Friday Film Series with Discussion are open to the public and begin at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be reserved or purchased by calling (561) 655-7226 or emailing customerservice@fourarts.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the door, which opens 30 minutes before film screenings. Four Arts members can join the screening for free.

Here’s the catalog for the rest of this season's Friday Film Series with Discussions:

“Dark Waters,” featuring Edie Widder, Jan. 19 

A gripping film based on Corporate Defense Attorney Robert Bilott's 20-year legal battle against chemical manufacturing company DuPont after they contaminated the water supply of Parkersburg, West Virginia. Invited speaker Edie Widder, co-founder of Ocean Research and Conservation Association, will lead the subsequent discussion.

“Fire of Love” featuring producer Jessica Harrop, Feb. 2

A tear-jerking documentary about the life and tragic death of volcanologists and lovers Katia and Maurice Krafft. Following the screening will be a discussion with producer Jessica Harrop

“The Swimmers,” featuring Mais Katt, March 15

This biographical drama follows two young sisters escape from war-torn Syria, and their heroic effort to aid others while on their journey to freedom.  Leading the subsequent discussion will be Mais Katt, International Center for Journalists fellow.

“Ophelia,” featuring Charles E. Pierce, Jr., March 29

A reimagining of Hamlet from the perspective of Ophelia. After the screening there will be a discussion with Charles E. Pierce, Jr., director emeritus of the Morgan Library and Museum.

“Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry,” featuring Orville Schell, April 5

Follow artist and Chinese dissidence figure Ai Weiwei as he prepares for a series of exhibits all while under continued harassment from the Chinese government. Heading discussion will be long-time friend of Weiwei Orville Schell, Director of the Center on US-China Relations at the Asia Society.

Project Paradise documentaries, featuring filmmakers, April 26

A collection of show films documenting Florida's wildlife sponsored by conservation nonprofit Project Paradise. Following the screening will be a panel discussion with the filmmakers and a wine reception.

The Four Arts will also continue its standard film screenings, which run at 2 and 5:30 p.m. on select Fridays. Ticket prices are $10 for the public and can be purchased through the aforementioned avenues. Admission is free for Four Arts members.

The Friday Film Series for this season include:

  • "Delicious," Dec. 15

  • "King Richard," Jan. 5 

  • "The Outfit," Jan. 12 

  • "Resistance," Jan. 26

  • "Benediction," Feb. 16

  • "She Said," March 1

  • "Phantom thread," March 8 

  • "Parallel Mothers," March 22 

  • "Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom," April 22 

  • "Rebel in the Rye," April 19 

Founded in 1936, The Society of the Four Arts is a nonprofit organization that seeks to promote the four arts of music, art, drama and literature in Palm Beach. The organization hosts a variety of concerts, art exhibitions, film screenings and lectures throughout the season among other cultural programming.

Diego Diaz Lasa is a journalist at the Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at dlasa@pbdailynews.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Society of the Four Arts Friday Film Series returns this week