PNC, Library to Host “Nowhere Boy” Film Screenings

Public showings of the film "Nowhere Boy" will be offered through a collaboration of the Purdue University North Central Odyssey 2010- 2011 Arts and Cultural Events Series and the Michigan City Public Library. The showings are free and open to the public.

It will be shown Sunday, March 20 at 2 p.m. at the Michigan City Public Library, 100 E. Fourth St., Michigan City and Wednesday, March 23 at 5 p.m. in the PNC Library-Student-Faculty Building Assembly Hall, Room 02. The film is rated R.

"Nowhere Boy" tells the story of Beatle John Lennon's teenage years in Liverpool in a film adaptation of a memoir by his half-sister Julia Baird. This film takes a look at Lennon's sometimes difficult upbringing and helps the audience better understand the complicated adult he became.

Starring Aaron Johnson as Lennon, the film recalls Lennon's relationship with the mother who gave him up as a five year old to be raised by her sister. Aunt Mimi is depicted as stoic and controlled, leery of John's rock and roll ambitions. But the film also makes the case that she put a lot of work and energy into raising and nurturing him and without her, Lennon would not have become the man and musician the world knew.

Roger Ebert gave the film three-and-a-half stars. He explains that this is not so much a film about the future John Lennon or the Beatles, rather it is about a young man growing up in Liverpool. Ebert does suggest that the film will help the viewer grasp how Lennon's youth contributed to the complexity of his lyrics.

The Odyssey Arts and Cultural Events Series features various events throughout the year. A schedule can be found at www.pnc.edu. For information about this film or any event in the Odyssey series, contact Judy Jacobi, PNC assistant vice chancellor of Marketing and Campus Relations, at 219.785.5200 ext. 5593. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact Jacobi.