Two days before its official release to movie theaters across the country, The Book Thief had a very special screening in Houston Wednesday, compliments of Barbara and former President George H.W. Bush. This was the third time that the Bushes had invited a theater full of friends for a preview screening of a thought-provoking film, the previous ones being Precious and The Kite Runner.
At this screening held in the theater at the Edwards Marq*E Theater, the Bushes were accompanied by the film's stars Academy Award-winner Geoffrey Rush and 13-year-oldSophie Nelisse. They along with Markus Zusak, author of the book from which the film was taken, participated in a follow-up Q&A session led by HoustonPBS' Ernie Manouse. By all accounts, the film and the program were a hit with the audience of 300, with the highest praise going to Nelisse. Even some in the audience were talking Academy Award nomination for the young actress.
"I would have loved this incredible film under any circumstance." — Barbara Bush
All of that had to be good news for the Hollywood VIPs attending, including the film's director Brian Percival, the film's producer Karen Rosenfelt and Fox 2000 president Elizabeth Gabler.
In a statement Barbara Bush, a strong literacy advocate, said, "I would have loved this incredible film under any circumstance, but the fact that one of the key plot lines involved a caring adult teaching a precious child to read — well, that was the icing on the cake. What a painful, tender and ultimately rewarding story so very well told by all involved."
Among those joining the senior Bushes were Marvin Bush, Neil Bush, former Mayor Bill White and wife Andrea, former ambassador to Spain Eduardo Aguirre and wife Tere, former Iranian diplomat Hushang Ansary and wife Shahla, former California congressman Michael Huffington and former ConocoPhillips chairman Archie Dunham. Special guests were member of Barbara Bush's Saintly Stitchers, the needlepoint group from St. Martin's Episcopal Church.
Sophie Nélisse and President George H.W. Bush at The Book Thief screening.
