Nobel Laureate to Present Film Screening and Talkback at Triplex Cinema

Print Story | Email Story
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Triplex Cinema will present a screening of the film "The Trip to Greece" (2020) on Saturday, May 17, at 3:00 p.m. Following the film, a talkback session will feature Dr. Joachim Frank, the 2017 Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry.
 
Dr. Frank, a Professor at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, will discuss the film with Triplex Creative Director Ben Elliott. Dr. Frank has also recently published a novel, "Ierapetra, or His Sister’s Keeper", which is set in Greece. A book signing and reception with Dr. Frank will take place after the discussion.
 
Dr. Frank's Nobel Prize was awarded for his contributions to the development of cryo-electron microscopy, a method for imaging biological molecules. His research has provided insights into cellular processes and viruses. He is also the recipient of the 2014 Benjamin Franklin Medal in Life Science and the 2017 Wiley Prize in Biomedical Science.
 
"Ierapetra, or His Sister’s Keeper" tells the story of Reiner, a retired Berkshire resident, as he reflects on his relationship with his late sister, Monika, and their trip to Crete in the 1960s. The novel explores themes of memory, loss, and the cultural landscapes of Germany and Greece. Dr. Frank, a Berkshire County resident with his wife, Carol Saginaw, noted that the novel was inspired by his memories of his sister and their time in Crete.
 
"The Trip to Greece" is the fourth film in a series directed by Michael Winterbottom, starring Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon as fictionalized versions of themselves traveling and engaging in conversations. In this installment, they trace Odysseus' journey through Greece, visiting various locations and discussing topics ranging from history to the meaning of life.
 
Tickets for the event are available at www.thetriplex.org.
 
 
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Reps. Leigh Davis, Bud Williams Filing Legislation Honoring Freeman

SHEFFIELD, Mass. — State Reps. Leigh Davis of the 3rd Berkshire District and Bud L. Williams, of the 11th Hampden District, are filing legislation establishing Aug. 22 as Elizabeth Freeman Day of Equality, Healing, and Remembrance in the commonwealth.
 
The legislation would direct the governor to annually issue a proclamation recognizing the courageous contributions of Elizabeth Freeman, an enslaved Black woman known as Mum Bett, whose landmark freedom suit helped spark the legal end of slavery in Massachusetts.
 
"Elizabeth Freeman's story began here in the Berkshires, but its impact reached every corner of the commonwealth," said Davis. "More than two centuries later, her legacy continues to inspire us. Establishing Elizabeth Freeman Day will ensure that future generations learn not only about her extraordinary bravery, but also about the power of one person to change the course of history."
 
In 1781, Freeman, of Sheffield at the time, challenged the institution of slavery by filing suit against her enslaver, Col. John Ashley. In the landmark case Brom and Bett v. Ashley, a Berkshire County jury ruled in favor of Freeman and her fellow plaintiff, Brom, granting them their freedom. The case demonstrated the power of the Massachusetts Constitution's declaration that all people are born free and equal and helped pave the way for the Quock Walker decisions that ultimately ended slavery in the commonwealth. 
 
"Freeman's courage changed the course of history in Massachusetts," said Williams. "At a time when the odds were stacked against her, she stood up and demanded that the promises of liberty and equality contained in our Constitution apply to her as well. She risked everything to challenge an unjust system, and her victory helped lay the foundation for the end of slavery in our commonwealth. Her legacy deserves to be recognized and remembered by every resident of Massachusetts."
 
Although unable to read or write, Freeman understood the meaning of freedom and equality and took extraordinary action to secure those rights for herself and others. Her story remains one of the most powerful examples of individual courage in the face of injustice. 
 
Elizabeth Freeman Day will provide an opportunity for reflection, education, healing, and remembrance, said Williams. 
 
View Full Story

More South Berkshire Stories