Mother Teresa to inspire Regent Cinema children’s club

Patna: The Regent Cinema is playing host to the Mother Teresa International Film festival, with a special show of the acclaimed feature film “In the Name of God’s Poor” starring Geraldine Chaplin in the lead role. MTIFF 2011 is Patna’s way of celebrating the birth centenary of Nobel laureate Mother Teresa with screenings in schools, colleges, and other venues.

Suman Sinha, owner of the Regent Cinema, indicated that the film would be the first in a series of value-based free screenings, soon to take the form of a CSR venture “Children’s Cinema Club”. The proposed club, a joint initiative by Regent Cinema and AASRA Charitable Trust, [ACT, Patna] would screen at least one good movie free of cost for children and young people every month, in an attempt to have young people access wholesome and value-based international and regional cinema.

“Mother Teresa is a role model for young and old alike. After Rabindranath Tagore, she is India’s other Nobel laureate, and a symbol of peace and compassion,” he said. “This beautiful film based on the life of a great soul will inspire many, and the Regent is proud to be a part of the initiative by AASRA to bring to Patna so many films on Mother.”

Regent Cinema completed its 83^rd anniversary this year. Frank Krishner, managing trustee of ACT and festival director of MTIFF 2011, said that the festival offered a unique opportunity to bring to fruition an idea that has been in gestation for a long time. “For almost two years now, Suman has been planning to develop something beautiful for children in Patna – an initiative that will help parents and teachers strengthen the moral fibre of youngsters, and the Children’s Cinema Club is the outcome.” The film on Mother Teresa would be the first in a series of ‘free shows’ that aimed at bringing meaningful cinema to young people.

Besides the Regent Cinema, screenings of different films will take place at various venues between 2^nd and 5^th September: Patna Women’s College, Government Art College, Rose Bud School, Don Bosco Academy, St Xavier’s, Nav Jyoti Niketan, Notre Dame Academy, etc.

[HT Patna Saturday 26 Aug]