 Take a whirlwind tour of highly acclaimed cinema from around the world. While the Oscars, Golden Globes, and other U.S.-based ceremonies give nods to international films in a few categories, lots of countries host their own annual awards. The honorees are worth checking out. We’ve picked several recent winners to add to your watch list, no passport required.
Visit the library to check out DVDs or Blu-rays, or place your selection/s on hold and pick up at the drive-up window. The winner of multiple categories of the Japan Academy Film Prize and Mainichi Film Awards, Best Feature Film at the Asian Film Awards, and the Palme d'Or at Cannes, Shoplifters (DVD and Hoopla) met with resounding critical and commercial success. Understated and moving, this is a story of a found family trying to survive on the fringes of society. Director Hirokazu Koreeda excels at profiling the humanity of his characters, raising thought-provoking questions about what it means to be a family. One of Australia's highest-grossing films of all time, Lion (DVD and Blu-ray) swept all twelve categories at the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards. Based on the autobiography A Long Way Home by Saroo Brierley, Lion tells the story of an Indian boy who becomes separated from his family and is eventually adopted by an Australian couple. As an adult, he tries to find his origins and understand his identity. With compelling performances by Dev Patel and Nicole Kidman, this emotional journey remains true to its source. Despite Iranian courts banning him from filmmaking for twenty years and preventing him from leaving the country, director Jafar Panahi has continued to create internationally acclaimed films. His docufiction Taxi (DVD, Kanopy) won the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival. This portrait of modern-day Tehran blurs the lines between fact and fiction, making social commentary possible under the guise of what might be scripted dialogue. As Panahi navigates the streets of Tehran as a taxi driver, he captures conversations on religion, politics, and life, as his passengers come and go. From the mundane to the profound, the entire cinematic world is limited to his taxi, but speaks to the trials and tribulations of everyday Iranians across the country. Chaitanya Tamhane’s directorial debut Court (DVD and Kanopy) is notable for using non-professional actors and first-time crew members. The filmmaker's choices to work outside the confines of conventional filmmaking came together to create a compelling movie and win India’s National Film Award. The timely drama follows the trial of a social activist who is accused of inciting a local worker’s suicide through his protest songs. Long, uncut scenes and minimal camera movements add to the film's sense of authenticity. After premiering to acclaim at Cannes, the Mauritanian-French drama Timbuktu (DVD and Kanopy) went on to win five categories at the Africa Movie Academy Awards, including Best Film and Best Director. When extremists occupy the city of Timbuktu in Mali, their brutal restrictions and laws are at odds with the lively West African culture and the local sect of Islam. Soon a cattleman and his family are caught in the crosshairs. Equal parts terror and beauty, and woven through with outrage and wit, this thoughtful film is much more than a political statement. Both of director Benedikt Erlingsson’s feature films have won the Nordic Council Film Prize, including his 2018 comedy-drama Woman at War (DVD). In this offbeat and sharp movie, eco-activist Halla plots increasingly serious acts of sabotage on an industrial plant in Iceland. When a long-forgotten adoption application resurfaces, she has to reevaluate what she’s willing to risk in her fight for the environment. The quirky treatment of a serious topic and the building tension make for an unforgettable viewing experience. For even more hours of viewing from around the globe, check out an International Roku: watch the latest Korean dramas, Nigeria’s Nollywood movies, anime on Crunchyroll, telenovelas on Univision, and lots more.
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A handy guide to sustainable living9/17/2021  In a 2018 community survey conducted by the library, sustainability was respondents' top priority. The headlines about our climate can be overwhelming. Your library is here to help you sort through the news and zero in on useful information on a topic that matters to you — sustainability.
Though large-scale changes are needed to halt and reverse the effects of industrialization on our planet, individuals can make a difference. There are things each of us can do right now to make our day more Earth-friendly. You'll find them in the Sustainable Living guide, a succinct reference that includes
The top tip may surprise you: eating a plant-based diet (even part of the time) is the best thing you can do to combat climate change. It's also a lot better for you! Another top tip is to skip bottled water whenever you can: Not only is tap water purer (no micro-plastics! quality controlled!) and easier on the Earth, but it saves a whole lot of money. Look to the Sustainable Living guide when you have questions about how and what to recycle and where to responsibly dispose of household waste. You'll even find tips for toxin-free cleaning and making your holidays more eco-friendly. The guide will be updated as new information becomes available. View the guide now.  Students in grades 7–12: You can help others without leaving home and earn volunteer hours, too! The library has rounded up online service projects that you do right where you are, anytime between now and December 10.
The program is completely flexible:
Do what you can, when you can! And you'll make a positive difference in the world. Browse the available projects and do what interests you. This season's activities include:
An online form makes it easy to submit your completed activities to the library's teen volunteer coordinator. When the online program wraps up in December, you'll receive a certificate recognizing you for your good works. Verification of service hours is available in December as well. Learn more and get started at VAPLD.info/TeenVolunteers. Nonfiction for the curious-minded9/2/2021  It’s human nature to be drawn to stories of the unusual and unexpected. These days there’s no shortage of marathon-worthy media to quench our thirst: true crime podcasts, nearly unbelievable nature shows, and docuseries taking us behind the scenes of cults and corruption. Something about the combination of being stunned and learning something new keeps us coming back for more. If you're a curious-minded reader, check out these page-turners.
Discover an overlooked and unbelievable tale from World War I in The Confidence Men by Margalit Fox. This is the larger-than-life story of two British officers and their outlandish escape from a Turkish prisoner of war camp, an escape that involved a Ouija board, seances, and buried treasure. Fox draws on the memoirs of the officers to create a fascinating, fast-paced read that goes beyond the prison break to examine the era’s zeal for spiritualism and the powers of persuasion. [e-book | print] Deep in the mountains, there’s a community with no cell phones or Wi-Fi, where even the use of a microwave can put a person on the government’s radar. Though it sounds ripped from the pages of a dystopian novel, Stephen Kurczy's The Quiet Zone uncovers the realities of life in Green Bank, West Virginia. The town is situated in the National Radio Quiet Zone, where radio transmissions are legally restricted to facilitate scientific research and military intelligence. Award-winning journalist Kurczy separates fact from fiction, giving readers a peek into the impact of the restrictions and other unusual influences on local culture. [e-book | print] The Organ Thieves by Chip Jones mixes true crime, science writing, and social history to shed light on the medical injustices inflicted on Black Americans throughout our nation’s history. Jones tells the moving and tragic story of Bruce Tucker, a Black laborer who entered a hospital with a head injury in 1968 and had his heart transplanted into a local businessman. Tucker's family was never notified and the case led to a major lawsuit and legal questions about the concept of brain-death. Like The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, this is a look at the intersection of ethics, consent, and racism, shining light on one more name in a long history of unethical medical treatment. [e-book | print] In The Woman They Could Not Silence, bestselling author Kate Moore (The Radium Girls) delves into the 19th-century practice of sending unwanted wives to asylums. In the summer of 1860, when Elizabeth Packard's controlling husband could no longer tolerate her intelligent and independent nature, he had her committed to the Illinois State Asylum and Hospital for the Insane in Jacksonville. Packard witnessed the institution's horrors, including that she was not the only sane woman confined there. Moore meticulously details Packard's fight for freedom and her campaigns to expand for women’s rights and asylum conditions. Narrated by the author, the award-winning audiobook conveys Moore's and Packard's passion for equal rights. [e-book | print | audiobook] In Secondhand, Adam Minter pulls back the curtain on the curiously lucrative secondhand industry. From the local Goodwill to flea markets across the globe, Minter offers an engaging look at the people who profit from our unwanted items and the consequences of a consumer market built around fast-fashion and disposable goods. Try the energetic audiobook to keep you company during your next closet cleanout and you might walk away with some sustainable shopping strategies. [e-book | print | audiobook] Brandy Schillace’s Mr. Humble & Dr. Butcher is possibly the most curious of the titles on this list, introducing readers to the controversial and ambitious Dr. Robert White. After transplanting a monkey’s head to the body of another in 1970, White was adamant that head and brain transplants for humans would be the next medical breakthrough. Grappling with the ethics of his research and his own deep Catholic faith, and despite his run-ins with animal rights activists and skeptics, the eccentric White continued his quest and even hoped to find a way to prolong the life of the soul beyond death. This is an eye-opening look at the scientific fervor of the Cold War period and the costs of medical innovation. [e-book | print]  Because virus levels are high in Lake County and indoor gatherings are discouraged, seating is unavailable in the library building. But that doesn't mean there's no space to sit, read, or work on your laptop. Try one of the new outdoor spaces for studying, meetings, or tutoring sessions:
Both options are open air, offer high-speed Wi-Fi access, and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please limit your use to 2 hours to make room for other visitors. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. To access either space, park in the main lot and follow the walkway toward the back of the library building. From inside the library, exit through the Youth Program Room. View a map. To learn more, view the info page, stop by any public service desk at the library, or call 224-543-1485. The new Library Quarterly is out now!8/26/2021  The weather is decidedly summery, but with schools back in session and the calendar about to turn to September, autumn isn't far away.
The fall edition of the Vernon Area Library magazine is arriving in local mailboxes, to get you geared up for good reading and great events in the months ahead.
Reading picks for the curious-minded8/18/2021  It’s human nature to be drawn to stories about the unusual and unexpected. These days there’s no shortage of marathon-worthy media to quench our thirst to know why the world wags and what wags it: true crime podcasts, nearly unbelievable nature shows, and docuseries taking us behind the scenes of cults and corruption. Something about the combination of being stunned and learning something new keeps us coming back for more. If you're a curious-minded reader, check out these page-turners.
Discover an overlooked and unbelievable tale from World War I in The Confidence Men by Margalit Fox. This is the larger-than-life story of two British officers and their outlandish escape from a Turkish prisoner of war camp, an escape that involved a Ouija board, seances, and buried treasure. Fox draws on the memoirs of the officers to create a fascinating, fast-paced read that goes beyond the prison break to examine the era’s zeal for spiritualism and the powers of persuasion. [e-book | print] Deep in the mountains, there’s a community with no cell phones or Wi-Fi, where even the use of a microwave can put a person on the government’s radar. Though it sounds ripped from the pages of a dystopian novel, Stephen Kurczy's The Quiet Zone uncovers the realities of life in Green Bank, West Virginia. The town is situated in the National Radio Quiet Zone, where radio transmissions are legally restricted to facilitate scientific research and military intelligence. Award-winning journalist Kurczy separates fact from fiction, giving readers a peek into the impact of the restrictions and other unusual influences on local culture. [e-book | print] The Organ Thieves by Chip Jones mixes true crime, science writing, and social history to shed light on the medical injustices inflicted on Black Americans throughout our nation’s history. Jones tells the moving and tragic story of Bruce Tucker, a Black laborer who entered a hospital with a head injury in 1968 and had his heart transplanted into a local businessman. Tucker's family was never notified and the case led to a major lawsuit and legal questions about the concept of brain-death. Like The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, this is a look at the intersection of ethics, consent, and racism, shining light on one more name in a long history of unethical medical treatment. [e-book | print] In The Woman They Could Not Silence, bestselling author Kate Moore (The Radium Girls) delves into the 19th-century practice of sending unwanted wives to asylums. In the summer of 1860, when Elizabeth Packard's controlling husband could no longer tolerate her intelligent and independent nature, he had her committed to the Illinois State Asylum and Hospital for the Insane in Jacksonville. Packard witnessed the institution's horrors, including that she was not the only sane woman confined there. Moore meticulously details Packard's fight for freedom and her campaigns to expand for women’s rights and asylum conditions. Narrated by the author, the award-winning audiobook conveys Moore's and Packard's passion for equal rights. [e-book | print | audiobook] In Secondhand, Adam Minter pulls back the curtain on the curiously lucrative secondhand industry. From the local Goodwill to flea markets across the globe, Minter offers an engaging look at the people who profit from our unwanted items and the consequences of a consumer market built around fast-fashion and disposable goods. Try the energetic audiobook to keep you company during your next closet cleanout and you might walk away with some sustainable shopping strategies. [e-book | print | audiobook] Brandy Schillace’s Mr. Humble & Dr. Butcher is possibly the most curious of the titles on this list, introducing readers to the controversial and ambitious Dr. Robert White. After transplanting a monkey’s head to the body of another in 1970, White was adamant that head and brain transplants for humans would be the next medical breakthrough. Grappling with the ethics of his research and his own deep Catholic faith, and despite his run-ins with animal rights activists and skeptics, the eccentric White continued his quest and even hoped to find a way to prolong the life of the soul beyond death. This is an eye-opening look at the scientific fervor of the Cold War period and the costs of medical innovation. [e-book | print] For more top picks from your library, visit the Readers' Guide. If you'd like a list of book recommendations just for you, complete this brief form and a Book Genius will select thoughtful picks based on your reading preferences.  Work on the exterior book return has been completed and the return slot is now open. The new access point is the same height as the pre-renovation, standalone book return bin. The new position allows a better turning radius to the exit lane.
Regardless of your vehicle, it will be easier to return books, DVDs, and other standard library materials in the slot. Pavement striping, to help guide your approach, is being added soon. Thanks for your patience while the improvements were made! Grab & go, other service updates8/16/2021  Because there is a high level of COVID-19 transmission in Lake County, library services are being adjusted for community safety. When you stop by, please do your part by wearing a mask and keeping your visit short. For longer stays, visit the Library Garden Study Space, where you'll find outdoor seating, tables, shade tents, and high-speed Wi-Fi.
Now available at the library:
Contactless services continue:
Your library is here for you. Thanks for helping us deliver services safely and efficiently!  Whether it’s the oldies but goodies performing at Ravinia or classic rock on the radio, summer brings out our nostalgic sides. Take a trip down memory lane to the '60s and '70s with this mix of documentaries and feature films, from the dreamy music scene to the tumultuous political landscape.
Visit the library to check out DVDs or Blu-rays, or place your selection/s on hold and pick up at the drive-up window. With a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and Roger Ebert’s endorsement (“may be the best documentary ever made in America”), Woodstock: 3 Days of Peace & Music (DVD) is an unbeatable look at the mother of all music festivals. Originally released in 1970 but now featuring additional footage, director Michael Wadleigh beautifully captures the festival, producing the next best thing to actually having been there. Alternating between footage of performances and concert-goers, and covering the evolution of the event from hesitant planning to triumphant execution, this is an immersive viewing experience. Turning twenty last year, Almost Famous (DVD) has become a cult classic for its endearing ensemble cast, memorable soundtrack, and funny yet touching coming-of-age story. This ode to music, and the joy and heartbreak it can bring, follows a young amateur reporter on his travels with a fictional band (you'll swear you’ve heard them before) and the one-of-a-kind characters who float in and out of their lives. Credit the sense of warmth and authenticity (despite the hard-living rock-and-roll lifestyle) to director Cameron Crowe, whose real-life experiences as a teenage writer for Rolling Stone inspired the movie. The Wrecking Crew (DVD & Blu-ray, Hoopla, Kanopy) steps beyond the spotlight to celebrate the talented session musicians who backed up the era's hit-makers. A tribute to these hardworking and overlooked musicians as well as a a behind-the-scenes look at the music-making process, this is a fascinating story of the world of recording. This acclaimed documentary brings to life the names in album liner notes and gives viewers a renewed appreciation for the chart-toppers of the '60s. The Sunshine Makers (Hoopla and Kanopy) takes a lighthearted look at three big letters behind the counterculture movement: LSD. This documentary follows Tim Scully and Nick Sand, and their mind-blowing (both in scale and mind-altering property) operation to spread peace through their own brand of LSD. Convinced that everyone would get along better if they dabbled in drugs, the duo’s idealist intentions are a throwback to the possibilities of the '60s, even if the end result was a jail sentence. Medium Cool (DVD) combines real-life footage with fictionalized scenes to create a unique, unsettling look at the 1968 Democratic National Convention and the impact of politics on daily lives. Known for his documentaries, director Haskell Wexler applies his powerful cinematographic style to the social unrest in Chicago as seen through the eyes of a disillusioned TV cameraman. Despite the timeless tunes and flower power vibes of the early seventies, the political atmosphere of the nation was in constant turmoil. Set in 1971, The Post (DVD & Blu-ray) is a star-studded look at how our government meddled in global affairs and what that meant for people at home. Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep shine in their performances as major players at The Washington Post as journalists race to uncover the Pentagon Papers and the extent of the government’s role in the Vietnam War. To get monthly movies recommendations in your inbox, sign up and select "movies" at VAPLD.info/subscribe. |