"Big Fish" at Fredonia Opera House

Opera House to Screen “Big Fish” FREE as part of Family Night at the Movies

FREDONIA – The 1891 Fredonia Opera House will present the feature film “Big Fish” on Fri., Oct. 17, at 7 p.m. Sponsored by the D.R. Barker Library as part of Family Night at the Movies, admission to the film is FREE.

Family Night at the Movies features films based on or that inspire books for children. The series was developed as a way for adults to share the excitement of reading and great family entertainment with the children in their lives. The Book Nook has donated several copies of the book, which will be given away in a drawing before the film.

The film also serves as a kick off to the Fredonia Storytelling Festival. “This film initially was scheduled as part of our Family Night Movie Series, but because a central focus of the movie is a father’s stories to his son, we thought it would be a great way to kick off this year’s Storytelling Festival,” says Opera House Executive Director Rick Davis.

“Big Fish” is a 2003 fantasy drama, directed by Tim Burton. Loosely based on the novel, “Big Fish: A Novel of Mythic Proportions,” the film stars Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Billy Crudup, Jessica Lange, Steve Buscemi, Helen Bonham Carter, Marion Cotillard, Danny DeVito and a host of others.

In the story, Will Bloom (Crudup) returns to his family home in Alabama after having spent the past three years not talking to his father, Edward (Finney). Dying, Edward recounts his life story in his own unique, exaggerated way, full of fantastic events (portrayed in the flashbacks by McGregor). As Will tries to get to know his father and find the truth, he discovers that his father did indeed lead an extraordinary life and that his storytelling was his finest achievement.

Random drawings at the start of each film award gift bags to lucky winners. The bags not only include copies of the book on which the movie is based, but other related prizes as well. For “Big Fish” the prizes also include storytelling and children's CDs and DVDs.

For more information, contact the Opera House at 716/679-1891 or visit www.fredopera.org. Chautauqua County’s only year-round performing arts center, the 1891 Fredonia Opera House is a member-supported, not-for-profit organization located in the Village Hall in downtown Fredonia