Triplex Cinema to Feature Film Series with Music Supervisor Randall Poster

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass.— The Triplex Cinema will host a special film series featuring music supervisor Randall Poster from Friday, May 9, through Sunday, May 11. Each day will feature two film screenings, paired by Poster.

Poster served as music supervisor on three of the films in the series, and the other three are noted as significant inspirations for his work. Each screening will include a discussion session before or after the film. Tickets are available individually or as a series pass at www.thetriplex.org.

Randall Poster has supervised music for numerous films by directors Wes Anderson, Richard Linklater, and Martin Scorsese. His film credits include "The Crossing Guard," "Velvet Goldmine," "Rushmore," "Boys Don’t Cry," "Meet the Parents," "The Royal Tenenbaums," "The Aviator," "The Squid and the Whale," "Zodiac," "I’m Not There," "Up in the Air," "Fantastic Mr. Fox," "Hugo," "Moonrise Kingdom," "Skyfall," "Boyhood," "Insurgent," "Carol," "Ad Astra," "Joker," "The Irishman," "The French Dispatch," "No Time to Die," "Asteroid City," and "Joker: Folie a Deux," as well as various television programs.

Poster stated his enthusiasm for curating the weekend of films at the Triplex, noting the pairing of films he admires with those he worked on as a "treat" and expressing his excitement to revisit and discuss these selections.

Triplex Creative Director Ben Elliott highlighted Poster's influential work on soundtracks for directors such as Wes Anderson, Richard Linklater, Martin Scorsese, and Sofia Coppola over the past 25 years. Elliott expressed anticipation for Poster's visit to discuss his work, the soundtracks that have inspired him, and the process of selecting music for films.

Films in the series include:

  • "Somewhere" (2010): Directed by Sofia Coppola, starring Steven Dorff and Elle Fanning. Score by Thomas Mars. Soundtrack includes songs by Foo Fighters, The Police, T. Rex, Gwen Stefani, Kiss, Julian Casablancas, Bryan Ferry, and Sebastian Tellier. All songs, with one exception, are diegetic. Screening on May 9.
  • "Grand Budapest Hotel" (2014): Directed by Wes Anderson, starring Ralph Fiennes, Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, Edward Norton, Adrien Brody, Owen Wilson, Jason Schwartzman, Willem Dafoe, Tony Revolori, Saoirse Ronan, F. Murray Abraham, Jeff Goldblum, and Jude Law. Music supervision by Randall Poster, score by Alexander Desplat. Screening on May 9.
  • "School of Rock" (2003): Directed by Richard Linklater, starring Jack Black, Joan Cusack, Mike White, and Sarah Silverman. Music supervision by Randall Poster. Screening on May 10.
  • "American Graffiti" (1973): Directed by George Lucas, starring Cindy Williams, Ron Howard, Harrison Ford, Paul Le Mat, Richard Dreyfuss, Charles Martin Smith, and Mackenzie Phillips. The film's soundtrack features 41 popular 1950s songs. The entire music budget of $90,000 was allocated for music licensing. Screening on May 10.
  • "Mean Streets" (1973): Directed by Martin Scorsese, starring Robert De Niro and Harvey Keitel. Martin Scorsese is credited with music supervision, selecting vintage pop songs by artists such as The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, The Marvelettes, and Cream for the soundtrack. Screening on May 11.
  • "The Wolf of Wall Street" (2013): Directed by Martin Scorsese, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Jordan Belfort, Margot Robbie, Jon Favreau, and Matthew McConaughey. Music supervision by Randall Poster. Screening on May 11.

The Triplex Cinema, a nonprofit organization, presents a variety of films, including first-run, independent, foreign language, classic, children’s, and documentary features, as well as locally produced films and thematic programs. The cinema also collaborates with schools and local nonprofits for community-focused programming. More information can be found at thetriplex.org.

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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. 
 
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