The SIDNEY POITIER TRIBUTE Film Festival Begins Thursday Night with LILIES OF THE FIELD and GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER

February is Black History Month, and to help celebrate, The St. Louis Black Film Festival will be presenting a Tribute to the 86-year old Sidney Poitier at their Classic Black Film Festival. Lucky St. Louis movie buffs will have the opportunity to view eight vintage Sidney Poitier on the big screen. Every Thursday in February, The St. Louis Black Film Festival will be presenting two Poitier films at St Louis Cinemas Galleria (630 St Louis Galleria, Richmond Heights, MO 63117)

The SIDNEY POITIER TRIBUTE Film Festival kicks off this Thursday night (February 6^th) with two Poitier classics; LILIES OF THE FIELD and GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER

LILIES OF THE FIELD (1963) is the story of Homer Smith (Sidney Poitier), an itinerant jack-of-all-trades, who stops to help a group of German nuns newly arrived in New Mexico. His cheerful generosity is disdained by the stern, demanding Mother Superior (Lilia Skala) until he builds them a chapel with the aid of some local Mexicans. Directed by Ralph Nelson, the movie’s simple little story of the triumph of faith coupled with good will has enormous charm in the winning performances of the two principals (Poitier won his only Oscar for this role), some good-natured comedy, and an infectious theme song that will leave viewers humming “Amen.” If you’re looking for a small but thought-provoking classic, a film that covers tolerance and faith and friendship through its exploration of a most unlikely relationship, don’t miss LILIES OF THE FIELD.

LILIES OF THE FIELD screens at 6pm

And stick around for GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER

GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER (1967) is an essential comedy drama about a progressive father and mother who are forced to face their own ideals when their daughter wants to marry a Black doctor. The cast is spectacular from top to bottom including Spencer Tracy, receiving his last Best Actor Academy Award nomination (posthumously) for his final role and Katharine Hepburn (her second of four Best Actress Oscar wins) as the married parents, Katharine Houghton as their daughter, Sidney Poitier as the aforementioned doctor, Cecil Kellaway, who received a Best Supporting Actor nomination playing their family friend in the clergy, and Beah Richards (who received her only Academy recognition with a Best Supporting Actress nomination) and Roy Glenn as the doctor’s parents.

GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER screens at 8pm (separate admissions for each film)

Here’s the rest of the SIDNEY POITIER TRIBUTE Film Festival schedule:

February 13th:  TO SIR WITH LOVE – 6pm
IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT – 8pm

February 20th: THE DEFIANT ONES – 6pm
A PATCH OF BLUE – 8pm

February 27th: A PIECE OF THE ACTION – 6pm
LET’S DO IT AGAIN – 8pm

Admission is free with AARP membership card, otherwise $10 for each movie.

There will also be a “Social Happy Hour” from 4-6 before each movie.

For more info or to participate go to https://www.facebook.com/pages/St-Louis-Black-Film-Festival/179694092087006

For more information please contact James Thomas at email: jamesthemovieman@gmail.com

Check back here at We Are Movie Geeks for more information about the SIDNEY POITIER TRIBUTE Film Festival