Codebreaker, the story of the life and death of Alan Turing, will be screened one night only, Tuesday, April 9th, at 7:30pm at the AMC River East 21 Theater. $20 includes Q&A with the filmmaker, Patrick Sammon.
The screening is presented by The Queer Film Society, The Legacy Project, and Reeling. Proceeds will benefit the three sponsoring organizations.
Originally broadcast on BBC Channel 4 in the United Kingdom, this powerful film blends dramatic re-creation with documentary footage to shine a light on the man who is considered the founding father of computer science and artificial intelligence. Turing — who envisioned our digital world decades before the first computer was even built — was the gay man who broke the Nazi "Enigma Code" to speed the end of World War II.
In 1999, TIME magazine named Turing one of the 100 most influential scientists of the 20th century, stating that "everyone who taps at a keyboard, opening a spreadsheet or a word-processing program, is working on an incarnation of a 'Turing Machine'." Turing lived in an era when homosexuality was still both illegal and officially considered a mental illness. In 1952, after being arrested for "gross indecency" with another man, he was convicted and sentenced to chemical castration. Two weeks before his 42nd birthday he bit into an apple laced with cyanide and ended his life. The Legacy Walk in Chicago — the world's only outdoor LGBT museum walk — was inspired by Alan Turing's life and tragic death.
Legacy Project Founder and Executive Director, Victor Salvo, said "Turing's story was the catalyst — back in 1999, when I learned of his contributions and his fate, the creation of the Legacy Walk went from being a pipe-dream to an obsession. We are proud to say that Chicago's Legacy Walk is the only outdoor commemoration of Turing's life in the world that is known to actually say he was a gay man. We hope Codebreaker will raise a whole new level of awareness of Turing's contributions — he deserves no less."
This docu-drama has been hailed by the U.K. press as "awe-inspiring," "powerful," "imaginative," and "…an overdue and thoroughly honourable telling of this dreadful story." The April 9th screening, which is the "Officially Sponsored Chicago Premiere," will feature a Q&A with filmmaker Patrick Sammon who will talk about making the film, his interest in Turing, and his appreciation for Chicago's Legacy Walk commemoration of Turing's life.
"I'm looking forward to presenting this important film to the LGBT community in Chicago," said Sammon. "I'm pleased to be working with the Queer Film Society, the Legacy Project, and Reeling on this special screening event. Chicago is an especially relevant place to feature Codebreaker. With Alan Turing featured on the Legacy Walk, I hope this film can further highlight his important story"
Seating is limited for this screening, which is expected to sell out.
Tickets at legacyprojectchicago.org/Codebreaker_Sponsors.html .
View the trailer here: www.youtube.com/watch .
THE LEGACY PROJECT intends to inform, inspire, enlighten, and foster an appreciation for the crucial role Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) people have played in the advancement of world history and culture. On October 11, 2012 the organization dedicated THE LEGACY WALK — the world's only outdoor LGBT historic museum walk. In April 2013 the Legacy Project Education Initiative (LPEI) will bring the organization's research and resources directly to LGBT youth. www.legacyprojectchicago.org .
THE QUEER FILM SOCIETY is a consortium of LGBT film critics, historians, artists, and scholars dedicated to the exploration and celebration of queer images in world cinema. Recognizing the diversity of identities and perspectives that comprise its membership, QFS is committed to showcasing vital films from equally vital, and sometimes widely varied, vantage points. From mainstream to underground and from artist to audience, a distinct and communal sensibility informs the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) cinema experience. www.queerfilmsociety.org .
REELING (The Chicago Gay and Lesbian Film Festival) is the second oldest film festival of its kind in the US, and prides itself on showcasing the best LGBT films and videos each and every year. From award-winning international feature films to social documentaries to experimental shorts, Reeling has always presented a range of genres that demonstrate the rich diversity of work being produced. Not only has Reeling become one of the most important cultural events for Chicagoans, it also attracts LGBT people from throughout the Midwest who consider the festival to be the highlight of their cinematic year. www.reelingfilmfestival.org .
