In this presentation, which includes watching the 95-minute film adaptation of Brian Friel's award-winning play, Janet Lowery of UST's Department of English will highlight distinctions among critics' views on both the play and film, discuss historical backdrops and foreground the power of the ensemble cast and the fate of its characters in this film.

Lowery will also introduce some contemporary developments in the Irish theater scene and European culture that suggest the far-reaching insights of Friel's vision.

Directed by Pat O'Connor (Circle of Friends), with the screenplay by Irish playwright Frank McGuinness and music by Bill Whelan, the film stars Meryl Streep, Michael Gambon, Catherine McCormack, Sophie Thompson, Kathy Burke, Brid Brennan and Rhys Ifans and is narrated by Gerard McSorely.