Paradise Road Showing For Women’s History Month at Next Stage

In honor of Women’s History month Next Stage Performing Arts Program will show the 2004 film Paradise Road,a powerful tale of female courage, friendship, and strength, on Thursday, March 28 at 7:00 p.m. Admission is by donation at the door.

Based on a true story, the moving film centers on a little-known chapter of World War II — the capture of tens of thousands of Europeans, Australians, and Americans by the Japanese as they swept through the far East. It focuses on a group of women from different countries and social strata who find common ground to survive as prisoners of war.

Directed by Bruce Beresford the film stars Glenn Close, Frances McDormand, Cate Blanchett, Pauline Collins, Jennifer Ehle and Julianna Margulies.

“The story of war will never be fully written or understood if the achievements of women are unrecognized,” says feminist writer Elayne Clift, who chose this year’s Next Stage offering commemorating Women’s history.” From soldiers to spies, nurses to Navy personnel, journalists to junior officers, veterans to wounded warrior wives, and prisoners of war, the stories of women in wartime must be told. The women at the center of those stories need to be honored. They are women of courage, strength and resilience, as they have always been during wartime.”

The evening will be hosted by poet Verandah Porche, who will read selected wartime poetry and lead a Q&A discussion following the film.