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Viewing the film “Chess Story” at the VIFF Theatre followed by dinner together at a local restaurant

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  • Lee

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Viewing the film “Chess Story” at the VIFF Theatre followed by dinner together at a local restaurant

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Hey there, You are welcome to join me in attending this film at the VIFF Theatre in Vancouver (Saturday March 25.) The film begins at 3:30pm. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door. Let’s aim to meet up around 3:15. Following the film, we can enjoy dinner together. I’ll make a reservation after I know how many will be in our party. And if you’re available, and still feeling energetic, you can stick around for a second VIFF film after dinner. Check out the other film event I’ve posted and rsvp if you’re able. Hope to see you soon! Here’s the VIFF review: “Chess is about grinding down your opponent’s ego,” claims the SS captain interrogating Josef Bartok (Oliver Masucci) the night Vienna is taken over by the Nazis. Bartok, a Jew and a notary public who holds the codes to a treasure trove of private bank accounts in his head is not a chess player, but he’s arrogant, or competitive, or principled enough not to give the German what he wants, and is condemned to indefinite solitary confinement until he should change his mind. Days give way to… months? Bartok loses track and gradually his sanity. Then fate throws him a lifeline, a single book…. a book of chess games… Freely adapted from Stefan Zweig’s novella, and dominated by Oliver Musucci’s multifaceted performance, Philipp Stölzl’s gripping movie is a compelling psychological study of torture, defiance and the kind of mind games no one can hope to control. “Chess Story masterfully confounds expectations as a tautly calibrated, intricately constructed Chinese puzzle of a period drama set during Nazi Germany’s annexation of Austria. Masucci, who appears in every scene, potently conveys a multitude of unspoken emotions with his remarkably expressive face…. He’s never less than riveting….” ~Michael Rechtshaffen, Los Angeles Times “A diabolically knotted psychological thriller… Thanks to an outstanding performance by Mr. Masucci, who recalls Mads Mikkelsen’s haunted intensity; an elegant turn by Mr. Schuch as his genteel torturer; and charged direction by Mr. Stölzl, who parsimoniously hands out each clue, the film remains breathless throughout.” ~Kyle Smith, The Wall Street Journal “Stölzl craftily melds the genres of period drama and psychological thriller, not for the purposes of reheated nostalgia, but to shed a cold light on the recursions of historical trauma.” ~William Repass, Slant Magazine

Attended (7)

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Link to Lee's profile

Lee

I’ve made us a reservation at Sushi Mugen for 5:45 (903 Davie St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1B9). Please confirm if you think you’ll be joining us for dinner after the film. Thanks! :)

Link to Susan's profile

Susan

Hi, Lee I will be joining you for dinner after the film. Thx for arranging this!

Link to Lee's profile

Lee

That’s great, Susan. Glad you can make it.

Link to Lee's profile

Lee

Hi All! Apart from Susan and Natalie (from the second film group), will anyone else be joining us for dinner after we see “Chess Story”? I’ll be finalizing the reservation early this week. Thanks! 🙏

Link to Joanne's profile

Joanne

Thanks for organizing, Lee! I would like to attend the dinner portion as well.

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Lee

I’ll mark you down, Joanne. It’ll be nice to have you there.

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Sandra

Hey there! Count me in for the dinner, please. P.S. There's a tiny typo in the post, in the date (28th instead of 25th). Pointing it out so that it's as unambiguous as possible 😅

Link to Lee's profile

Lee

Thanks for noticing that, Sandra. Glad you can join us for dinner.

Link to Peter 's profile

Peter

Too bad I'll have to miss it this time. Been summoned to baby sit grandkids that day, which I gladly accepted.

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Lee

No worries, Peter. Enjoy the grandkids. 🙏

Link to Aleesa's profile

Aleesa

I'll be there for dinner. Thanks Lee!

Link to Lee's profile

Lee

Cool. With Aleesa, that makes six of us so far.

Link to Susan's profile

Susan

Hi, @Lee I tried last night and today to purchase the tix online but there are no more tix available. Do you know if they usually still have more tix available on-site or I am just out of luck now?

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Susan

Hi, @Laara That sounds great! I can give you cash? How much is it?

Link to Lee's profile

Lee

I’ve only arranged events at The Cinematheque in the past so was unaware that there are only 41 seats for this event. I, also, don’t have a pre-purchased ticket. 😂

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Lee

I’m still going to try and will join for dinner. The second show has many seats available.

Link to Joanne's profile

Joanne

Oh, noooo! Susan, I'm in the same boat. I didn't realize advance tickets were recommended. My bad. I haven't been to a VIFF film in ages. Here's what I found! I will try for stand-by. If not possible, should we join for dinner, Lee? Maybe not ideal for those who didn't see the film. Hmm... What is Standby? If a screening has sold out of advance tickets, there may be some tickets that become available at the door just before the screening starts (returned tickets, unused complimentary tickets, etc.). If you’re in the Standby line when a show is being admitted, our front-of-house team will do their best to find a seat for you, but this is not guaranteed. To be fair to anyone in line, we can only sell one standby ticket per person.

Link to Laara's profile

Laara

Susan since you are also going to dinner, I would be happy to give you my ticket as I'm not really feeling up for the film. I can meet you at the theatre with it around 3:00 Just respond here if you would like my ticket

Link to Lee's profile

Lee

I’ve just called the box office and they have informed me that a few tickets are often sold to individuals in the stand-by line. I mentioned we had a group of seven and he laughed.

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Lee

Maybe others in our group were better chess players.

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Lee

We’ll be wiser next time. At least the weather is cooperating. 🤪

Link to Aleesa's profile

Aleesa

LOL! OK, I'm too risk-averse to try standby on a rainy day, so I'll join y'all for dinner. And I just bought a ticket for the later show, just in case!

Link to Joanne's profile

Joanne

I've decided to pass on standby tickets. It's a long way for me to travel with no guarantee. See you for dinner!

Link to Susan's profile

Susan

Hi, @Laara Not sure if you see my reply but I would love to pick up the tix from you. Please let me know the tix price and I will bring cash for you. Thanks!!

Link to Laara's profile

Laara

Yes see you at 3:00 $12.60

Link to Susan's profile

Susan

Cool… thx!

Link to Lee's profile

Lee

I’ve been standby since 2pm. Lol Got a ticket. See you inside.

Link to Sandra's profile

Sandra

Hey everyone! Will try to get a ticket. If no luck, see you at the sushi place at 5:45!

Link to Joanne's profile

Joanne

Wonderful dinner! Excellent restaurant choice. Thanks for organizing, Lee. As promised, here’s a little background on Chess Story. The film was based on a novella by Stefan Zweig, The Royal Game. The author and his and his wife committed suicide by overdose in February 1942. The book was completed in 1941. (Wikipedia) Some speculate that this movie was his suicide note, a symbolic story of his own challenges. Food for thought. I can’t find that source. So, you be the judge. I enjoyed doing the research and was even inspired to brush up on my chess! Great seeing everyone. :) I hope to see many of you next week at First Saturday! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stefan_Zweig https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Royal_Game

Link to Mark's profile

Mark

Thanks for organizing it Lee and great choice for sushi! The food presentation and quality were excellent. Nice to meet some interesting new people. If anyone wants to play chess online I recommend The Social Chess app. My handle is Markie Mark 😄

Link to Lee's profile

Lee

Thanks for the links, Joanne. 🙂 And thanks everyone for coming out. It was a nice evening for sure.

Link to Joanne's profile

Joanne

Thanks for the invite, Mark! I’m a beginner and really should branch out to play real people. Made you there! Be nice ;)

Link to Joanne's profile

Joanne

Typo. “See” you there. Sorry, no edits yet. Haha

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Susan

Lee, thanks for organizing a great evening!

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