Hillsborough Classic Film Society
Presents
Sunday, June 7, 2026
2PM
PASSMORE CENTER
Au Hasard Balthazar
( A French/Swedish film, Robert Bresson, 1966)
Ebert Review Selection: "Robert Bresson is one of the saints of the cinema, and “Au Hasard Balthazar” (1966) is his most heartbreaking prayer. The film follows the life of a donkey from birth to death, while all the time living it the dignity of being itself–a dumb beast, noble in its acceptance of a life over which it has no control. Balthazar is not one of those cartoon animals that can talk and sing and is a human with four legs. Balthazar is a donkey, and it is as simple as that. .... Now here is the essential part. Bresson suggests that we are all Balthazars. Despite our dreams, hopes and best plans, the world will eventually do with us whatever it does. Because we can think and reason, we believe we can figure a way out, find a solution, get the answer. But intelligence gives us the ability to comprehend our fate without the power to control it. Still, Bresson does not leave us empty-handed. He offers us the suggestion of empathy. If we will extend ourselves to sympathize with how others feel, we can find the consolation of sharing human experience, instead of the loneliness of enduring it alone."
Our Speaker: Tom Whiteside will lead the discussion. Tom is an experimental filmmaker and film historian. Now retired, he ran sound systems and taught silent film history at Duke University, and was a Visiting Artist in the North Carolina Community College system and an Artist-in-Residence at the Headlands Center for the Arts in Sausalito, California. He was an Arts Administration Fellow in the Media Arts section of the National Endowment for the Arts in Washington, DC. His work has been exhibited at a number of veues, including the North Carolina Museum of Art. His interest in regional film history has focused primarily on two projects, "The Lost Colony Film" (directed by Elizabeth Grimball, Roanoke Island, 1921) and "Movies of Local People" (made by H. Lee Waters in 118 towns, 1936 to 1942). Since 1991 he has shown films under the flag of Durham Cinematheque (a one person organization) and in that capacity looks forward to having a regular series at Skin and Bones Theater, opening later this year on Parrish Street in downtown Durham.
PLEASE REGISTER HERE
FREE! FREE POPCORN TOO!!
SPEAKERS LIST (live link)
CLICK HERE TO MAKE COMMENTS
CLICK HERE TO BE PUT ON MAILING LIST: RSVP
Movie titles that are in bold blue have live links to film information
The 2025-2026 Schedule
Sept. 14 Tarkovsky's Mirror, speaker Gustavo Furtado
Oct. 5 Night of the Hunter, speaker Rose Steptoe
Nov. 2 M, speaker Jeffrey Stern
Dec. 7 City Lights, speaker Francesca Talenti
(The December movie will be shown in the
Orange County Public Library in Hillsborough.)
Jan. 25 …. POSTPONED SEE BELOW
Feb 8 – Orson Welles’ Macbeth, Diana Newton
March 8 – Bertolucci, The Conformist, Gary Hawkins
April 19 – Scorsese, Taxi Driver, Rose Steptoe
May 3 – Pasolini, Gospel According to St. Matthew, Henry Veggian
June 7 – Bresson, Au Hazard Balthazar, Tom Whitesid
We are partnering with the Passmore Center. We are indebted to their staff for their gracious and professional help.
2PM
PASSMORE CENTER
Au Hasard Balthazar
( A French/Swedish film, Robert Bresson, 1966)
Ebert Review Selection: "Robert Bresson is one of the saints of the cinema, and “Au Hasard Balthazar” (1966) is his most heartbreaking prayer. The film follows the life of a donkey from birth to death, while all the time living it the dignity of being itself–a dumb beast, noble in its acceptance of a life over which it has no control. Balthazar is not one of those cartoon animals that can talk and sing and is a human with four legs. Balthazar is a donkey, and it is as simple as that. .... Now here is the essential part. Bresson suggests that we are all Balthazars. Despite our dreams, hopes and best plans, the world will eventually do with us whatever it does. Because we can think and reason, we believe we can figure a way out, find a solution, get the answer. But intelligence gives us the ability to comprehend our fate without the power to control it. Still, Bresson does not leave us empty-handed. He offers us the suggestion of empathy. If we will extend ourselves to sympathize with how others feel, we can find the consolation of sharing human experience, instead of the loneliness of enduring it alone."
Our Speaker: Tom Whiteside will lead the discussion. Tom is an experimental filmmaker and film historian. Now retired, he ran sound systems and taught silent film history at Duke University, and was a Visiting Artist in the North Carolina Community College system and an Artist-in-Residence at the Headlands Center for the Arts in Sausalito, California. He was an Arts Administration Fellow in the Media Arts section of the National Endowment for the Arts in Washington, DC. His work has been exhibited at a number of veues, including the North Carolina Museum of Art. His interest in regional film history has focused primarily on two projects, "The Lost Colony Film" (directed by Elizabeth Grimball, Roanoke Island, 1921) and "Movies of Local People" (made by H. Lee Waters in 118 towns, 1936 to 1942). Since 1991 he has shown films under the flag of Durham Cinematheque (a one person organization) and in that capacity looks forward to having a regular series at Skin and Bones Theater, opening later this year on Parrish Street in downtown Durham.
PLEASE REGISTER HERE
FREE! FREE POPCORN TOO!!
SPEAKERS LIST (live link)
CLICK HERE TO MAKE COMMENTS
CLICK HERE TO BE PUT ON MAILING LIST: RSVP
Movie titles that are in bold blue have live links to film information
The 2025-2026 Schedule
Sept. 14 Tarkovsky's Mirror, speaker Gustavo Furtado
Oct. 5 Night of the Hunter, speaker Rose Steptoe
Nov. 2 M, speaker Jeffrey Stern
Dec. 7 City Lights, speaker Francesca Talenti
(The December movie will be shown in the
Orange County Public Library in Hillsborough.)
Jan. 25 …. POSTPONED SEE BELOW
Feb 8 – Orson Welles’ Macbeth, Diana Newton
March 8 – Bertolucci, The Conformist, Gary Hawkins
April 19 – Scorsese, Taxi Driver, Rose Steptoe
May 3 – Pasolini, Gospel According to St. Matthew, Henry Veggian
June 7 – Bresson, Au Hazard Balthazar, Tom Whitesid
We are partnering with the Passmore Center. We are indebted to their staff for their gracious and professional help.
