Documentary Viewing, “The Elephant in the Living Room"
Toledo, Ohio. St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church kicks off the second season of its Documentary Society with a special free movie screening. Kirk Baird, Toledo Blade film critic and St. Andrew's parishioner, and the Rev. Jeremiah Williamson, rector of St. Andrew’s, began the Documentary Society in September 2010. A film was shown each month during the school year in the parish hall.
EVENT: “The Elephant in the Living Room” – documentary film
DATE: Monday, September 12
TIME: 7:00 p.m.
PLACE: Rave Motion Pictures Franklin Park 16
Westfield Franklin Park Mall
5001 Monroe Street
Toledo, Ohio
COST: Admission is free and the event is open to the public.
The 2010 documentary “The Elephant in the Living Room,” which explores the dangers of domesticating exotic animals, states “There are 15,000 big cats living with exotic animal owners in the U.S. There are more tigers in captivity in Texas than in the wild of India.”
A real-time question-and-answer session between the audience and Michael Webber, writer-director-producer of “The Elephant in the Living Room,” will immediately follow the film presentation. Kirk Baird, Toledo Blade film critic and St. Andrew's parishioner, will host and moderate the event.
“There are two reasons I chose to launch the second season of the Documentary Society of St. Andrew’s with ‘The Elephant in the Living Room.’ First, it’s a well-made documentary that tackles a little-known subject — keeping wild animals for pets — that many suggest is an escalating problem nationwide. Remember the woman in Connecticutwho was mauled by her friend’s chimpanzee in 2009. Second, most of the documentary was filmed in southern Ohio, which lends the film local relevance,” Baird said.
“Watching ‘The Elephant in the Living Room’ in a theater auditorium will be a wonderful treat but, even better, is the opportunity to interact with the film’s director, Michael Webber. Michael has been very generous with his time and his willingness to share his thoughts on the subject of exotics as pets and his experiences making the documentary. Audience members will be able to talk directly with Michael and share comments and ask questions as well. The fact that the event is free, I hope, will further encourage interested people to attend.”
Rave generously donated the venue for this special screening. Baird suggests that it would be nice of attendees to visit the theater’s concession stand to show their appreciation for this free film event.
Press Release Contact Name: Kirk Baird
Press Release Contact Email: [email protected]
Organization Name: St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church