Students at the University of the Virgin Islands will be the beneficiaries of funds raised at the Virgin Islands premiere of acclaimed director Spike Lee's latest film, "Miracle at St. Anna."
The premiere is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 22, at Market Square Cinemas East. Only 150 tickets - at $25 each - are available. This will include a glass of wine and light hors d'oeuvres. A reception will be held from 5 to 6 p.m., with the movie shown from 6 to 8:45 p.m. A discussion period will follow. The event will also serve as an early Veterans Day tribute to veterans of foreign wars, with several local veterans planning to be in attendance who will share their stories during the discussion period.
"Miracle at St. Anna" follows the experiences four soldiers of the all-black 92nd Infantry Division who were trapped near a small Tuscan village during World War II after one of them risks his life to save an Italian boy. The Disney film is based on a book written by James McBride.
Film critic Roger Ebert says the "Miracle at St. Anna's" has "one of the best battle scenes I can remember, on a par with "Saving Private Ryan." The Boston Herald, called it a "masterpiece" and a "classic American WWII movie" that pays tribute to the WWII African-American soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
The New York Times said "Miracle at St. Anna" ... "tells a grounded, moving, human story. Not a miracle by any means, but an earthy inquiry into death, duty, friendship and honor. What we've always wanted from war movies."
Tickets are available from the UVI Office of Institutional Advancement at 693-1040. More information is also available from Liza Margolis at 693-1053.