University alum, director to appear at premier of ‘Snow Falling on Cedars’

A special premiere showing of the film, “Snow Falling on Cedars,” adapted from the best-selling novel by local author David Guterson, will be at 8 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Cinerama Theatre, 2100 Fourth Ave. for one showing only.

Tickets cost $25 per person, or a 10-ticket “book club special” is offered for $200. Guterson, the film’s director, Scott Hicks, and the faculty of the UW’s Creative Writing Program will attend the premiere.

The premiere will benefit the University of Washington’s Creative Writing Program, of which Guterson is an alumnus.

Hicks also directed the Academy Award-nominated “Shine.” The cast includes Ethan Hawke (“Great Expectations”), James Cromwell (“Babe”), Max Von Sydow (“Pelle, The Conqueror”), and Sam Shepard (“Crimes of the Heart”).

The story is set in 1954 on an island in the Pacific Northwest. It explores the topics of lost love, racial conflict, the Japanese-American internment camps, pressures of society and family, and civic responsibility. Much of the movie was filmed on location in the Pacific Northwest.

Shawn Wong, chair of the Department of English, said, “This is a marvelous opportunity to see a film that has been getting rave reviews at film festivals around the country.

‘Snow Falling on Cedars’ deals with an integral part of the history of the Puget Sound area. We are fortunate and proud to be a part of the film’s premiere and to offer this opportunity to a local audience to share in the success of our alum, David Guterson.”

For reservations, call Cheryl Mathisen, Department of English, 543-2690, or send your check made out to “UW Foundation” to the Department of English, Box 354330. This special showing is made possible by David Guterson, Universal Studios, General Cinemas, Vulcan Northwest and Paul Allen.

“Snow Falling on Cedars” opens nationwide Jan. 7. ¶