Park City's high school principal said his sophomores and juniors will take up a businessman's offer of free tickets to the film "Schindler's List" despite the film's R-rating that is keeping other students away.
They will be bused to a special morning showing of the critically acclaimed film on Wednesday, March 23. Park City seniors also will get free tickets for regularly scheduled shows but must provide their own transportation.Businessman James R. Greenbaum Jr. originally offered free tickets to all Utah high school seniors to see the film with their teachers because he found it to be such a moving experience.
But school officials in Granite, Jordan, Murray and Salt Lake City said they could not promote distribution of the tickets because it would violate district policies.
However, Park City High School Principal Michael Andrews said the historical significance of the film's subject matter makes it important viewing for students.
It depicts the true story of a Nazi industrialist who saved 1,100 Jews from death in the Holocaust. Park City's high school curriculum includes study of World War II and the writings of authors such as concentration camp survivor and Nobel Prize winner Elie Wiesel.
"From what I've heard, it's a marvelous work of cinematography, but much more importantly, there is the subject matter," Andrews said. "Those of us who grew up in the World War II era tend to forget that all the Holocaust is to our young people today is a page in the history books.
"The lessons that can be learned from this film are applicable at all times to all people," said Andrews, adding that he and his wife plan to see it.
Greenbaum also is paying the cost of busing students to and from the show.
Park City parents must send in permission slips before their teens can see the film. Andrews said there has been "quite a rush" of returned slips OK'ing the screening.
"When we announced students would be going, many came in ahead of time and picked up the slips. They seemed most anxious to see it," Andrews said. "I'm getting a lot of flak from my seniors for not having included them."
Parents were informed that the movie contains violence, nudity and profanity.
"I'm sure there's nothing that's going to shock our youngsters that they haven't seen on their home TV," Andrews said.
The film has been nominated for 12 Academy Awards, including best picture, and is rumored to be a shoo-in for the best director award for filmmaker Steven Spielberg.
Greenbaum believes the film is significant for young people because it demonstrates that one person can make a difference, said Mary Kay Lazarus, speaking for Greenbaum and the Utah Humanities Council, which is making arrangements for the tickets with Greenbaum's donation.
"The Holocaust is such an immense tragedy that often there is a sense of hopelessness and helplessness associated with it. But when you see the film, you realize that even in the midst of that tragic immensity, one person can make an infinite difference," Lazarus said.
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Additional Information
Movie, other events
Any Utah high school senior is welcome to attend a pre-Academy Awards showing of "Schindler's List" at 6 p.m. on Monday, March 21, at the Broadway Centre Cinema, 111 E. Broadway. You must present identification showing you are 17 or older. Ticket office opens at 5:30 p.m. The Utah Humanities Council also has arranged for free educational events associated with "Schindler's List."
- Ronald Smelser, University of Utah history professor and expert on Nazi Germany, will speak March 31 from 7-9 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center, 2416 E. 1700 S. His topic will be "The Holocaust: A Modern Perspective."
- Two showings of "Night Words" will be held at Westminster College in the Jewett Center. One will be at 7:30 p.m. April 5 and the other at 7 p.m. April 6.