Having grown up watching 1980s fantasy films like “The NeverEnding Story” and “The Dark Crystal,” Brittany Friesner said she is just as excited for the IU Cinema’s screening of “Labyrinth” as anyone else.
As part of the cinema’s CINEkids International Children’s Film Series, Friesner, associate director of the cinema, programmed “Labyrinth” for 3 p.m. Saturday.
The 1986 fantasy follows teenager Sarah, played by Jennifer Connelly, as she attempts to solve a maze and save her younger brother from a goblin king, played by Toby Froud and David Bowie respectively.
Friesner said the film was programmed prior to Bowie’s death in January as a way to commemorate its 30th anniversary.
“Our initial hope with this screening was to celebrate a milestone anniversary for a classic kids film, and to give adults who grew up with the film the ability to see one of their childhood favorites on the big screen,” she said in an email interview. “With Bowie’s passing, we certainly want to be respectful and honor his legacy.”
A Bowie fan since she was 5 years old, IU alumna Amanda Zuicens-Williams said the CINEKids film series helps expose younger audiences films they wouldn’t otherwise see.
“I’m hoping the audience includes kids who will be discovering David Bowie for the first time and walk out of at the end of the movie as Bowie fans,” she said. “I hope they go home and start listening to other Bowie songs and albums.”
Jon Vickers, founding director of the cinema, established the CINEKids International Children’s Film Series the cinema’s opening year.
Each semester, Friesner said they strive to program a mix of international films for children, as well as classic films in animation, drama and comedy.
In recent years, Friesner said some of the most popular films in the series include “The Goonies,” “My Neighbor Totoro” and “The Sound Of Music.”
Friesner said the IU Cinema includes the CINEKids series to accommodate a wide range of audiences.
“We are especially interested in helping to cultivate and educate the next general of filmgoers,” she said. “We find it considerably important to offer children’s programming throughout the semester as a gateway for kids to explore different types of cinema they may not find at the local multiplex.”
As of Monday, Friesner said there were only 80 tickets remaining of the 260-cap theater. She said she is anticipating the screening to sell out.
The film stars David Bowie, the iconic musician, actor and record producer. More than a month after the news of his death, Zuicens-Williams said she is anticipating an emotional screening.
“I imagine watching Bowie on the big screen will still be a bit sad,” she said. “I’m definitely bringing some tissues with me. I’m guessing my tears will start about one minute into the opening credits of Labyrinth when Bowie starts singing the words, ‘It’s only forever, not long at all.’”
Following Bowie’s death, Friesner said the community’s excitement for the screening was noticeably higher.
“We always anticipated this would be a popular screening, as most of our CINEkids screenings attached a good audience,” she said. “But following Bowie’s passing, we knew the screening might attract more non-families given the desire to memorialize such an amazing and visionary artist as Bowie.”
