Discussion of the German Film, "Transit" is scheduled for 7:00 PM Monday, December 13

The final program in the library's 2021 foreign film series will be a discussion of the German film "Transit" at 7:00 PM on Monday, December 13.

This program is free an open to all members of the general public; the zoom link to attend this program is

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84669311175?pwd=b1pabld6Sng0VlRIa2IyY3ZmcHlmQT09

While the library remains closed in the aftermath of flooding from Tropical Storm Ida, we are continuing to conduct our foreign film screenings and discussions virtually. Following the format that was used to great success last year, the library has scheduled virtual lectures and accompanying discussions that will be led by Gerard Amsellem, an artist, educator and filmmaker who has made the study of international films his passion.

All of the films in this series have explored how war and conflict can affect a community, even many years after the conflict has ended; each film was selected for its excellence as an independently made film.

Although the library will not provide in-house screenings of these movies due to the pandemic, Springfield Library patrons have free access to all four of these films through the library’s participation in Hoopla. People interested in viewing these films are encouraged to watch them in advance of each of the scheduled programs and there are no limits on the number of library patrons who are able to view the film through the library’s Hoopla account at any one time. For library patrons who already have a library card but are not yet registered with Hoopla, registration can be accomplished within about thirty seconds by going to https://www.hoopladigital.com/ and then clicking on the link to get started. If you are not already registered as a patron at the Springfield Free Public Library, you can register online for a temporary library card that will provide you with access to view the movies via Hoopla. If you need assistance registering for a temporary card, contact [email protected]

These films are accessible through Hoopla to residents of other communities that belong to the Libraries of Middlesex Automation Consortium (LMxAC). In addition to Springfield, other libraries in Union County that are members of LMxAC include Elizabeth, Kenilworth, Plainfield, Roselle and Roselle Park. Residents of other communities may check with their libraries to see if these films are available for viewing through digital or streaming services or in DVD format.

The Zoom link for the remaining program in the series will be publicized at least one week in advance of the scheduled event.

Raised in France, Gerard Amsellem moved to the United States in 1982 after having studied painting at the University of Paris and after having earned Master’s Degrees in both French Literature and Art History. He then studied film at the Tisch School at New York University. He is passionate about getting people to understand film as an art form and teaching them how to “read” a film. Each of the four sessions that Mr. Amsellem will present will cover the history of cinema in the country being spotlighted, followed by a discussion of the film itself, including the background of the director. This will be followed by a question and answer session with those in attendance.

This program is made possible by funding from the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. Funding is also provided by a generous donation from the Friends of the Springfield Free Public Library.

For more information, please contact Library Director Dale Spindel at [email protected]@sfplnj.org.