(205) 444-7800 Mon - Thu 9-9, Fri 9-6, Sat 10-6, Sun 1-5
Tells the history and importance of The National Film Registry, a roll call of American cinema treasures.
What do the films Casablanca, Blazing Saddles, and West Side Story have in common? Besides being popular, they have also been deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" by the Library of Congress and listed in The National Film Registry, a roll-call of American cinema treasures that reflects the diversity of film, and indeed, the American experience itself. The current list of 550 films includes selections from every genre — documentaries, home movies, Hollywood classics, avant-garde, newsreels, and silent films. American movies tell us so much about ourselves ... not just what we did, but what we thought, what we felt, what we imagined, what we aspired to ... and the lies we told ourselves.
These Amazing Shadows is a documentary rich with imagery, interweaving clips from America's most-beloved films (and many rarer treasures) with moving personal tales of how specific films have reflected our culture and changed lives. The film includes interviews with the Librarian of Congress (Dr. James Billington), famous directors (including Christopher Nolan, John Lasseter, Rob Reiner, John Singleton, Barbara Kopple, and John Waters), producers (Gale Anne Hurd and James Schamus), archivists, admired actors (Tim Roth, Debbie Reynolds, Peter Coyote), and members of the National Film Preservation Board.
These Amazing Shadows documents the passage of the National Film Preservation Act of 1988 and how this law set in motion a system to identify notable films. The Librarian of Congress, with input from the public and advice from the National Film Preservation Board, selects 25 films each year to add to the Registry. These Amazing Shadows goes behind the scenes to show the discussions, the debates and the drama that surround this selection process. As stated by James Billington, the Librarian of Congress: "American film really transformed the way in which a young nation learned to express itself, express its exuberance, expose its problems, and reflect its hopes. It wasn't simply a form of entertainment; it was living history — audio-visual history of the 20th century." (2011, 88 minutes).
Free admission and refreshments! Call 444-7840 for more information.
Mon, Apr 22 | 9:00AM to 9:00PM |
Tue, Apr 23 | 9:00AM to 9:00PM |
Wed, Apr 24 | 9:00AM to 9:00PM |
Thu, Apr 25 | 9:00AM to 9:00PM |
Fri, Apr 26 | 9:00AM to 6:00PM |
Sat, Apr 27 | 10:00AM to 6:00PM |
Sun, Apr 28 | 1:00PM to 5:00PM |
Located in Hoover, Alabama, at 200 Municipal Drive, the Hoover Public Library has been operating since 1983. The Hoover Public Library seeks to reinvent the way communities view libraries. As the heart and soul of the Hoover community, we are more than just a library. We’re the place you come to meet your friends, experience live theater, peruse art, listen to music, entertain your children, learn about new technology, seek job searching assistance, explore your interests, find good book recommendations and much, much more. We seek to grow our patronage by offering an unparalleled customer experience.
Hoover Public Library • 200 Municipal Drive, Hoover, AL 35216
(205)444-7800 / Mon - Thu 9-9 / Fri 9-6 / Sat 10-6 / Sun 1-5
Please check our holiday calendar for specific date information. more →
Any resident of Hoover or Jefferson County can get a library card free of charge. more →